The Cowboy Who Cashed His Own Checks

J. A. McMahon, alias James, a cowboy who recently arrived in this city from California with some cattle for the Frye-Bruhn Company, gathered in about $100 on forged checks in the variety district the night before last and then skipped out for new cow pastures. A warrant was sworn out for his arrest yesterday afternoon, and Detective Hart went there in hopes of getting trace of him.

McMahon or James went into Clancy's saloon at the corner of Washington and South Third streets early in the evening and asked Tom Clancy if he could cash a check for $25. Clancy said he could not, as his father was out. In the meantime McMahon ordered two rounds of drinks and in conversation with Johnny Boyle spoke of affairs in a way that led Boyle to conclude he knew him. When Tom Clancy's father arrived, the check was given to him. It was apparently signed by C. H. Frye for the company, in favor of J. A. James, and addressed to the National Bank of Commerce. There was no mistake; the check was written on one of the Frye-Bruhn Co.'s regular blanks. After Mr. Clancy learned from his son that Frye-Bruhn checks were good, he cashed it. McMahon or James remained in the saloon some time and spent $2 or $3.

Yesterday morning it was discovered that the check was a forgery and that McMahon had left the city on the steamer Kingston. Later in the day it was found that he had victimized the Esmond saloon for $24 and the Diamond saloon for $15 on the same game. It is said that he also passed a $30 check, but the name of the saloon could not be learned.