Another Swindler

ANOTHER SWINDLER

Got Away With Fifteen Dollars Last Monday.

FORGED GOETZ'S NAME

To a Seventy-five Dollar Check and Had it Cashed.

He Also Asked the First National Bank to Collect a Draft on Fourth National Bank of St. Louis for 2,240. Has Skipped Town.

A sleek stranegr, giving the name of Charles Coleman, came to town Sunday and engaged board at the home of Mrs. Delight Preble, of 101 S. Thayer st. He was a man probalby 50 years of age and had the appearance of an old farmer, frank and honest. He stated to his landlady that he intended to move ihs family here in order to give his children the advantage of the schools. He claimed he would be here throughout the summer, probably and that he expected his wife Monday evening. He engaged rooms for his family and said he would pay in advance for them. Just at that time he was short of ready money but he had deposited a large draft with the First National Bank for collection and would have ready money in three or four days. The deposit of the draft was evidently prepartory to the passing of the forged check which he got Mrs. Preble to take. On Monday he went to the First National Bank with a draft made by himself on the Fourh National Bank of St Louis, Mo for the sum of $2,240 He did not ask for any money on the draft but simply deposited it for collection. He told the bank officials that he had a large deposit, some six or seven thousand dollars over and above the amount of the draft on deposit with the St. Louis bank. He said he was only getting two per cent for this money and had therefore decided to draw some of it out. As he wanted to money on the draft no suspicion was created. He also told Mrs. Preble he had a check given him by John Goetz, jr., for $75, which he would leave with her until he got his money from St. Louis, or $60 of it might be applied as and advance payment on board if she desired. He would like $15 in cash from it for incidental matters of expense. Tihs check was made out on a First National Bank bank payable to Charles Coleman or bearer and signed as before stated. It is understood that Mrs. Prelbe had learned in some way other than by his statement that he had deposited a draft for collection, and thinking everything was all right, took the check after he had endorsed on the back, C. Coleman, giving him $15 in cash. This check was presented at the First National Bank on Tuesday and was discovered to be a foregry. the police and sheriff's forces were then notified and a man hunt was begun. It was discovered that the man had purchased a ticket for the 1:38 Michigan Central train to Jackson. But of course he did not take the train and no trace of the rascal has been found. The surprising thing about the transaction is that he did not strike for a larger amount.