The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-12
FRAUD BY WIRE?
Curtis A. McKeeman, Alleged
boy FOrger, Arrested Here.
Letters and kilograms Hint of
Extensive Operations.
Was NABBED BY HUGH lARIMER
letter. 10 opal" Tell OF Hard
ships of Crooked Path.
1GOd! If | Wasn't Such a D
Fool" He Writes.
Was NlBBED BY HUGH lARINER

= God, I wish I had never started
this but to stop now would mean I've
yenrs cant hear from you vet y
think they are on my trail See:
SO wrote Curtis A. McKeeman, alias
Curtis Mack 19-year-old confessed
bow forger. in Topeka Monday even
ing to a pal in Manhattan. The fol-
lowing evening McKeeman was in the
S5aWnee county Jail following his ar
rest by Hugh Larimer, under sheriff.
Larimer says the boy forged a tele-
Gsaphic message in an attempt to de-
maud a Manhattan bank for $50
according to officials Mckeeman
landed in Topeka Monday without a
cent Tuesday afternoon he sent a
TELEGRAM. signed with his uncle's
name. Joe McKeeman. a prominent
Manhattan contractor, to a Manhat-
tan bank, asking that he be wired $40,
1T is alleged. When Manhattan Of
fieials read the telegram they were
aware that Joe McNeeman. the man
whose name was sis ned to the paper,
was in Manhattan.
eThey notified Sheriff Schermer-
h6rh of Riley county and the sheriff
irE turn asked Larimer, by telephone.
To nab the man who sent the wire.
When he sent the wire, it is alleged,
McKeeman asked that the $50 money
ofler be sent on the German-Ameri-
can bank at Topeka.
tFollowing the arrest Tuesday even
bat did not take the boy home. Of
ficials say he promised to plead
gHilty to forgery here and go to the
reformatory.
Wired From X. C.. Too.
when Larimer arrested McKeeman
several copies of kilograms and let
tiers were taken fror.l his pockets. One
OF the copies show that he wired to
Manhattan from Kansas City recently,
using the same method, but the name
of J. Earl Dewey, the county officials
sly The Kansas City wire asks for
$50 on account" Other wires, Lari-
rrle4s says hintsthat the youth has been
extensive in his operations a num-
Der of blank checks were found in his
pockets Larimer states that he has
admitted passing a check for $40 at
Soldier, Kan.
"A letter written to a pal" but with
no address was found in Mckeeman's
pocket. McKeeman told Larimer that
the epistle was to be sent to a man in
Manhattan but refused to give the in
tended recipients name. The missive
is typical of men in the boys profess
sion. 1t follows:
--..Dear Old Pal p'A"' i>''i' i-iO-A 10
How. you was? can't hear from
you yet as l think they are on my
Grail. see?
Did you hear anything of the
cFoekedisSsork have been doing?
md girl l met in st. Joe both went
in saloon and sure got soused. 1
cussed the bartender and he was going
to throw me out, but changed his mind
when l wanted him to do it, so he
sent for the cops and one cop stayed
Inside while four of them took me out.
told fellow in the saloon l was
from st. Louis and it was he who
falked them out of locking me up for
Che night. then went down to Kan
eas city, Mo, and stayed there
Tour days. l vent broke so l caught
and l got here early this morning
broke fiatter than If / mean
70 have five or ten dollars on me by
y 100 O'Clock rs my train leaves then,
snnd it is too cold to bum. What are
Mamma and Mark doing? Is Mark
still going to school? God l wish |
shad never started this, but to stop now
would mean five years. Tell mother
If you see her that l will send her
Some money in few days, as soon as
possible. Don't tell mother what l am
1Joes Grace know what l am doing?
God! l would give anything if l
Avasn't such a fool. l sure wish l could
See everybody once again. My girl
q particular; ! will go through Man
poon That girl in St Joe got away
with fifteen big round dollars of mine.
J met Barline in st. Joe, and we had
sour good times together excepting
chat he wouldn't get sOuSed. He Is
lhat curly headed fellow that used to
AyOrk In the Inn. Now listen, you fool,
Rnd put it in with yours. and l don't
Avant you to give it to her If she knows
eMuat I nave bet'n toluS- Ut II Mama
bias been down to see Mrs. Donaldson.
Now L. you, find this out before
you let her know you have letter
sgor her. see? You can have her write
9ne letter. and give it to you. and you
write me one also, and my name and
address will be for a few days: c. y.
,Devoss. Junction city. Kan.
= Don't tell my wife (sweethearD
where l am going, for she may want
TO come and see me. If she did she
Wouldn't recognize me. Now, Sweet
theart, do all this at once. Did you get
1ny other letters? l am just dying to
hear from my wife
Does Leland know what I have
been doingI ASK him II he has heard
from me and what he says l
haven't wrote to him yet l intend to
leave Junction City the day after to-
morrow in the morning. Tell me about
Mn and Mike Ernm NnIr Phi