The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-12-23
Night Life
Trail Leads
to Jail Cell
Parties of Youth on Cash
From Fake Money Orders
in Omaha End Quite
Abruptly.
Don't Tell Folks Plea

A meteor in Omaha's night life for
several days crashed to earth Satur-
day.
Series of parties. paid for with
funds derived from money orders. was
abruptly terminated with the arrest
of Adrian II. McDermott. IS, of May
wood, ILL.,
while he had it. And up to the time
of his arrest. when he was trying
to cash a money order for Ss4.10 at
the Karges hosiery shop at Sixteenth
and Farnam streets, he had it.
Popularity Unhounded.
Friday night he was already spotted
among the restaurants and the caba-
rets without escort. and his popularity
was unbounded.
Saturday night he was alone in a
jail cell, forgotten by his former boon
companions. awaiting the filing Of
charges against him by federaP au-
thorities, and hoping against hope
that his parents, back home. will
never hear of his mlssteps.
If he is convicted on every charge
which 1t is possible to lodge against
him and given maximum sentences on
each, according to federal authorities.
he may spend the rest Of his life in
Jail.
Army Deserter.
McDefmott, for all his youth. Is a
deserter from the army. He enlisted
in the air service at Chanute field.
Rantoul, ILL.,, last winter, under the
rame Of James II. Mcdowell. and de
serted in June.
He worked on the railroad at Har-
vey. ILL.,. for a time. and then went
tc Denver. From Denver his wander
ings led him to New Mexico, Texas,
Kansas City. and finally to Arthur.
la. where his talent as pianist
secured him job with small or
chestra.
lie became friendly with Carl An
derson, the postmaster. One night
he went to visit Anderson at the
postoffice, he told police. and found
a back window open. He entered the
office. found the safe unlocked, and
abstracted some money Md IL money
order blanks. together with a money
order stamp and mixing pad.
Throws Party.
He went by devious route TO
Sioux City, Ia. After several unsuc-
cessful attempts to cash the money
orders, he cashed one for s7s at Sa-
lix. Ia
Then he came to Omaha and threw
a party.
In quick succession. he visited
Gretna. Neb, and Crescent. Ia, cash
ing money orders for between $40
and $50 at each place. returning TO
Omaha always at night. for his good
times.
lie purchased lingerie lavishly and
presented 1t to the women who at
tached themselves TO his little court.
They thought / WAS Just fool
with a lot of money, and | let 'em
think so, be explained.
lie cashed one money order for
SS9 at Hill hotel while Detective Ben
Danbaum WAS standing beside the
desk
Christmas for Mother.
Saturday afternoon he tried to cash
another spurious money order at the
Barker Clothes shop, in payment for
a suit The proprietors became sus-
picious and called a, postoffice inspec-
| tor.
Before the inspector arrived. Me
Dermott was arrfsted i'm the Karges
hosiery shop by Traffic Officer Thorn
ton. trying to cash still another money
order. lie had s5.05 in cash on his
person.
With part Of ahe money he obtain
cd. he told police. he bought a $50
silver set which he had planned to
send his mother for Christmas.
Don't tell my folks was his plea,
| foIIoViup the arroef