Chapter C: F. McGuire, 40 years old, arrested at the Great Northern Hotel

George F. Johnston, 36 years old, arrested at 185 Dearborn St.

Alvin A. Hessley, 48 years old, arrested at 185 Dearborn St.

TOOL TELLS TRUTH--USHER OF CHURCH IN CRIME CLOUD.

At the age of 50 years, S. L. Cunningham, vestryman and Sunday School teacher and chief usher in the Jackson Boulevard Christian Church, has come to the conclusion that he is "just an old fool, after all."

Mr. Cunningham was arrested recently on the charge of being one of a gang of forgers and "get-rich-quick" men who have been swindling Chicago and New York business houses and banks during the last few months. He says his only connection with the gang was in selling stock until a short time ago for the National Fireproof Paint Company, one of the concerns raided, and lending his bank account to George F. Johnston, said to have been one of the prime movers in the gang.

Mr. Cunningham looks like a bishop. His hair is white and his appearance distinguished. His story is an illustration of the manner in which swindling concerns procure one or two men of weight and respectability in a community to act as their advance agents and establish confidence.

As he sat on the white-pillared porch of his residence, surrounded by his wife and sympathetic neighbors and church members, his face in the gaslight showed the marks of grief through which he has passed since his arrest.

CUNNINGHAM TELLS THE STORY.

"Yes," he said, "we of the fold often go astray, but I am
innocent. I have a Sunday School class of young girls that
I am going to take out into Lincoln Park tomorrow. I hardly
know what to say to them. I can't bear to think of taking
my place as head usher on Sunday, although my pastor tells
me to march down the aisle with my head erect. I am getting
to be an old man, you see, and I have never wilfully
wronged a person in my life." His voice trembled, but his
wife laid her hand on his arm and he straightened up.

"I know nothing of these men except Mr. Johnston," he said.
"I was introduced to him by a friend of mine three months
ago. I have sold stock and insurance for the last twenty
years, and I thought he had a good thing in the National
Fireproof Paint Company, so I started selling stock for
him. I could not sell the stock, as I could not show enough
assets, so I quit two weeks ago. I was a fool, and a dupe,
all right.

BANK ACCOUNT OVERDRAWN.

"Johnston, a young man, told me he was hard up and asked
to use my bank account at the Commercial National. I let
him and endorsed his checks. My wife told me not to do it,
but I thought he was all right then. Well, he overdrew the
account, the check was protested, and when my name was
found they arrested me. I never knew any of the other men,
although I saw them around the office. They did too much
whispering, and I thought it did not look well."

Then, in a simple way, he went on to tell of his wife and his work in the church. He produced a letter from the pastor of his church, the Rev. Parker Stockdale:

"This introduces Mr. Cunningham, a member of my church. He
enjoys among us the reputation of a thorough gentleman and
a conscientious business man. He is a highly respected and
useful citizen. His honesty is beyond question."

He also had a letter from Col. Jonathan Merriam, former United States pension agent, which was along the same lines.

OFFER OF BRIBE ALLEGED.

Broughn, the broker, is a man of a different stripe, according to Detective Barry, who arrested him. When he was informed of his arrest he is said by the detective to have replied:

"Come down to the saloon next door. I will settle the case
at once. Name your price."

When arraigned before Justice Cochrane the cases were continued until September 24. All the men were released on $1,200 bonds each, with the exception of Broughn, whose bail was fixed at $800. The bonds were signed by a professional bondsman at the Harrison Street Police Station.

C. F. McGuire forfeited his bond and fled to New York City, where he was apprehended and arrested by New York authorities at the request of John M. Collins, the Chief of Police. The information which led to his arrest was secured by Detective Wooldridge, WHO WAS MADE A SPECIAL MESSENGER BY CHARLES S. DENEEN, GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS.