Wednesday, November 12, 2014

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 12

November 12, 1903 – Turner O. Stark, a 12-year-old boy, is probably one of the cleverest−and youngest−forgers that has appeared before a St. Paul judge in years. The boy was brought into Judge Finehout’s court this afternoon by his father, who stated that he could do nothing with him, and at his request his son was ordered sent to the state training school in Red Wing.

“He is ‘way past me; I have whipped him, lectured him and threatened him. Now, I wish, judge, you would send him somewhere where he will have to obey,” said Turner S. Stark, father of the boy, who is employed as a porter by the Great Northern Railway company.

For the past year, the father stated, the boy has been forging orders for all manners of things; some of these purported to be signed by his father. He has secured guns, knives, cameras and clothes of all kinds.

Forges His Father’s Name
A week ago last Saturday he took his father’s bank book from a bureau drawer and went to the State Savings Bank. He told Cashier Willius that his father wanted $20 and presented the book. The cashier refused to give him the money but gave him an order, telling him that he should have his father sign it and he could secure the money. The boy returned a few minutes later with the order signed in pencil.

Once more the cashier refused to give him the money, telling him that he must have his father sign it in ink in order to have it honored. The boy was not yet frustrated, but securing a new order, left the bank and returned shortly with it signed in ink.

The signature seemed to be that of Mr. Stark and the order for $20 was honored. The boy took the money and left the bank.

He went to Allen’s livery stable, where his father is known, and said that his father had sent him for a horse and buggy. He paid the livery bill and then spent the day driving about the city. After returning the horse, the boy took home the $11 that he had left.

Last Saturday he appeared at the livery barn again with an order bearing what appeared to be his father’s signature and asked for a horse and buggy. He was given one and after collecting a half dozen of his friends, he drove them to Minnehaha Falls and all over Minneapolis. He returned the horse in a jaded condition late that night.

Father Decides to Ask Official Aid
Because the horse was in such bad condition the next morning, Allen went to the boy’s home to secure compensation from his father for damages. He found that Stark was in Portland, Ore., and that the order was a forgery. He threatened to have the boy arrested, but upon the mother’s plea decided to wait for the father’s return, which was yesterday. When Stark was informed of the boy’s latest offense he decided to place him in the hands of the court. “I hated to have to do it,” said Stark, “but I guess it is the only way to make a good boy out of him.”

The boy is an intelligent looking little fellow, with dark, snapping eyes. He has been an unusually bright student at school and is an able penman for his age. The forgeries of his father’s signatures were nearly perfect. The boy took his fate very stoically and had little to say to anyone as he was led from the court room.

In the 1910 Census, Turner O. Stark, the son, now listed as 18 years old, is living with his parents and employed as a barber, as is his father, Turner S. Stark.

The St. Paul Globe; “Twelve-Year-Old Boy Commits Forgery. Father Cannot Control Him and Asks Court to Send Him to State Training School.”; Nov. 13, 1903; p. 1.




The State Training School in Red Wing
http://wandervogeldiary.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/red-wing1.jpg



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