February 19, 1933
Prisoner Says He Was Only Accommodating Sick Woman By Carrying ‘Money’ Rueben
E. Baggett, conductor on the Juarez street car line, may not be a
United States secret service agent, but he has the same eagle eye for
genuine money. If this had not been true, Ruben Favela would not
have been in jail yesterday, waiting to be arraigned tomorrow on a
charge of possessing two $10 counterfeited federal reserve notes and
passing one. The one Favela is alleged to have passed was on Baggett. Offers Bill for Fare According
to secret service agents, Favela boarded Baggett’s car, which was en
route to Juarez, and tendered a $10 bill to Baggett for car fare.
Baggett took it without blinking and gave back change for $1. Favela
was waiting for the rest of the change when the car reached the Stanton
street bridge. Baggett opened the door and called to the officer on
duty. Favela didn’t bother about the rest of his change when the
officer took him off, but Baggett was mindful of the fact that he had
given Favela some perfectly good money that belonged to the company and
Baggett got it back. Here Is His Story The story Favela
told about the bogus bills, according to secret service men, was that a
woman, whom he had met but twice in Juarez, bumped into him at Seventh
and Kansas streets and asked him to take $20 to a sick woman in Juarez,
who needed it. Favela wanted to register the impression that he
was but accommodating his casual friend and the ill woman, but it seems
yesterday was an off day for the secret service boys, so far as being
impressed by any one was concerned.
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