Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1920 — INDICTED IN FORGERY CASE [ARTICLE]

INDICTED IN FORGERY CASE

Officials of Francesville Elevator to Answer for Alleged Crime. Winamac, Meh. 6.—Melvin Maxwell, formerly manager of the Farmers’ elevator at Francesville, is Charged with forgery, and Albert Gudeman, formerly a member of the board of directors for the elevator, is Charged with being his accomplice, in indictments returneu by the grand jury of Pulaski county here. Maxwell is alleged to have forged notes for a total of $745.21 in favor of the Jarecki Chemical company of Cincinnati, signing the names of farmers of the county. The notes, it is said, were issued to the chemical company for goods, and were taken up by the Francesville bank with money belonging to the elevator. The elevator has since gone Into the hands of a receiver. _ Maxwell is alleged to have used t'be following narnes in his operations: Guiy Drake, D. W. IHliunter, John Van Kirk, Lawrence Sheets, William Yockey and Levi Yockey. The charge against Gudeman is t'hat ho "counselled, encouraged, hired and commanded” Maxwell to forge the notes. The two men have given $2,000 bond each for their appearance.