In the early days of January, 1904 the Central Store, a popular general store conducted by J. G. Hunsicker located at the corner of Main St. and Central Ave in Souderton, was bustling with shoppers. A man by the name of Calvin Bloom of Hilltown Township had entered the store with the intention of purchasing either a raincoat or perhaps an overcoat. Mr. Hunsicker guided him to the second floor where Mr. Bloom proceeded to hem and haw over the merchandise. Eventually, Bloom went to Mr. Hunsicker explaining that he had made his selection but was short on cash. What he did have, however, was a signed check by local farmer G. Frank Leidy given to Bloom for work he had completed at the Leidy property. The check was in the amount of $44. Mr. Hunsicker, being familiar with Mr. Leidy, felt that this would be no problem. Bloom then went on to select gloves, a hat and a raincoat, the total amounting to $13.25. Mr. Hunsicker handed Bloom $30.75 in change and the latter left the store.
Not long afterward, clerk Horace Shellenberger remarked to Mr. Hunsicker that he knew Bloom and that the man was not exactly known as a reputable person. His suspicion now aroused, Hunsicker dispatched another store clerk, John S. Alderfer, to run the two blocks up the street to the Union National Bank, currently the Union Conference Center of Univest, to have the check cashed. Bank clerk George N. Zendt and bank President A. G. Reiff, also doubting the legality of the signature, pulled out other checks previously signed by Mr. Leidy, and concluded that the signature was indeed forged!
Upon being told of the findings, Mr. Hunsicker then ran up the hill to the bank and swore out a warrant for the arrest of Bloom before bank President A. G. Reiff, who had quickly switched hats to that of town Squire. This document was placed in the hands of Constable Henry S. Landes who began searching several establishments in town in the hopes that Bloom had not departed. Landes was informed that Bloom was seen leaving by way of Penn Ave (which is another way of saying that he was on a trolley) and immediately word was sent to Officer Kulp in Lansdale to apprehend the criminal upon arrival. As luck would have it, this communication was received by Kulp just as the southbound car, driven by Morris S. Landis, motorman, and Allen N. Frederick, conductor, pulled into the station. You see, Messrs. Landis and Frederick were in the Central Store, taking a break, during the above-mentioned transaction. Being aware of the details and recognizing that Bloom was now on their trolley, they were able to delay the car by eight minutes, until they felt that Officer Kulp had been given all the necessary details.
Constable Landes immediately boarded the next trolley, and upon arriving in Lansdale handcuffed himself to Bloom, bringing him back aboard the next northbound car to Souderton for a hearing; this trolley car ironically motored again by Landis and Frederick. When he stepped off the trolley in Souderton, Bloom saw J. G. Hunsicker standing outside Squire Reiff’s office. Bloom asked that Hunsicker not proceed further with the prosecution, but considering that Bloom was “already in the clutches of the law” Hunsicker had no choice but to press charges. Bloom, however, returned the merchandise and all but 75 cents of the cash. The hearing was held right then and there, Mr. G. Frank Leidy having been summoned and testifying that indeed, the signature was a forgery. Mr. Bloom was once again handcuffed to Constable Landes and the two boarded a trolley bound for Norristown, where Bloom was jailed in default of $300 bail. (Do you want to take a guess as to who the trolley motorman and conductor were on Bloom’s final ride? If you guessed Messrs. Landis and Frederick, you are correct!)
So… the moral of the story is this: If you are going to do something stupid and against the law, for goodness sakes don’t commit it in Small Town U.S.A. where everyone knows your name!
Written by Cory J. Alderfer based on an article from the Souderton Independent.
