American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-03-23
KENTUCKIAN RUNS WILD.
l.. NJ. Gardner Draws $11,OOO.0O on
Forged Checks and Goes on q
Spree.

After cashing forged checks 70 the
amount Of $4,000, L. M. Gardner,
Kentucky lawyer and financier, inau-
gurated a glorious souse and proceed
ed to buy up half the banks in south
ern Idaho.
Gardner reached Idaho last fall In
search of a location for the practice
of his profession. He brought let
ter of credit from his home bank in
Kentucky and credentials of such a
high character that he found no diff
Guilty in obtaining recognition at Ar
co, American Falls, Mountain Home
and other places.
Gardner cashed several drafts on
his father, which were duly honored,
and also several checks which were
not honored. AT Mountain Home he
had letter heads printed for "Bissell
& Gardner" falsely representing that
he was Mr.. Bissell's partner, and on
the strength OF this fictitious connec-
7tion he cashed a number Of worthless
checks. When Mr.. Bisesll's attention
was called to these matters he
promptly took up the worthless
checks, to the amount of over 5000,
and repudiated any further come c.
tion with or responsibility for the err
ratio Kentuckian.
/ While at Mountain Homoe, after q
few days courtship. Gardner married
Miss Swan, a school teacher.
1t was at Hagerman that Gardner
executed his grand financial coup. On
February 23rd he deposited at the
First National Bank of Hagerman two
checks, signed G. H.. Gardner, his
father, and certified by the Saylors.
vile National Bank, of Saylorsville
Ky. One check was for $4,000 and
the other $4,000. Gardner then en-
tered into negotiations for the pur.
chase Of the Hagtrman bank, checked
out $11, 1000 and proceeded to "lighi
up" on stomach btters and Other
dope, in lieu OF booze and thereafter
he was in a state of intoxication mos
VI lHe tbine. ne went 10 DOise ant
bought a $4,000 IL cylinder car ant
negotiated for purchase of the banks
at Mountain Home, Glenns Ferry ant
Bliss. Last Sunday he went to Good
ing and offered Cashier Thomas $50,
900 for the First National, flourishin,
a $4,000 draft from a Mountain Hom'
bank. Mr.. Thomas advised him to &,
to bed and sober up.
On Monday the Hagerman bank wa
advised by wire that the certified
checks were forgeries and the count.
authorities were Immediately request
ed to place Gardner under arrest
Sheriff Sanders found him at Bills
Monday night and took him into Gus
;ody. He claimed to be on his wa
to Jerome. In his pockets were a gul
and the Mountain Home draft 70
$4,000, which apears to be all tina
he had left of the $11 900 he drew ou
of the Hagerman bank. Gardner turn
ed over this draft, his automobile an
$500 diamond, still leaving a de
nClt Vi dDOdt Pf,"VVt WHICH he cidluc
his rich relatives in Kentucky woul
make good. He telegraphed to ther
J TO come to his rescue, but at thi
] writing they haze failed to RESPOND
r Gardner's appearance and conduc
prior to and at the time of his ares
indicated that he was mental an
nervous wreck, through the excesisy
D use Of alcohol and drugs. His cours
8 in remaining here when he must hay
: known that the forged checks woul
8 come back would seem to show an II
r responsible and unbalanced condition
5 His supply Of stimulants was abrup
5 ly cut off when he was arrested. whic
has brought about condition border