The Wrong Man in the Wrong Room

E. A. Johnston, of Port Townsend, was arrested in this city yesterday morning on a charge of forgery. About ten days ago George Nathanson, a Port Townsend saloon-keeper, cashed three checks for Johnston—one for $67.50, another for $100, and the third for $57.50. All were drawn upon the L. H. Griffith Banking Company, of Seattle, and were indorsed by Johnston’s signature. It required but a few days to discover that Johnston was a forger, and the victimized saloon-keeper made known to the police the situation. Chief of Police Delaney immediately wired to the sheriffs of the neighboring counties: 'Arrest E. A. Johnston; wanted here on a charge of forgery.' Sheriff Woolery, as soon as the dispatch was received, placed the matter in the hands of Deputy George Poor, and it was soon known that Johnston was in the city, but he was not located until yesterday morning. He was tracked to a lodging-house run by a Chinaman, at No. 515 Sixth street and at 8 o’clock yesterday morning Sheriff Woolery and Deputy Poor raided the place and found the forger in a room with a woman. Though he protested that he was innocent, he was taken to the county jail, and at 10 o'clock, in charge of Deputy McKay, he was put on board the steamer City of Kingston and was returned to Port Townsend to stand trial. The following dispatch from Port Townsend, received by the POST-INTELLIGENCER last night, shows that Sheriff Woolery and Deputy Poor were on the track of the wrong man: PORT TOWNSEND, Feb. 27.—The man arrested in Seattle for E. A. Johnston on a charge of obtaining $225 from Nathanson on a bogus check for $100, arrived here this evening and proves to be the twin brother of the real culprit. On a thorough identification he was released by Chief Delaney, and he left for Seattle tonight.