1939: El Pasoan Discovers Faded Check For $375 Written By His Own Father 57 Years Ago

May 13, 1939 Herald-Post

James L. Marr Finds Bank Document In Gutter

How a 57-year-old check written by James Marr Sr., was found in the gutter on Stanton street by his son, James L. Marr, El Paso real estate dealer, was disclosed today by A. C. Elliott.

In a letter to The Herald-Post and Robert L. Ripley of Believe It Or Not, Mr. Elliott said:

  "I have the honor to list the State National Bank of El Paso for honorable mention if not for a special award in the exhibition of a check dated November 22, 1881. Not that the date is 58 years back, but the circumstances and history of this check. The State National Bank was opened for business in April, 1881, and among its initial depositors was the account of the El Paso Transfer Company. James Marr Sr., was superintendent of this concern and was authorized to draw against the account. On November 22 of that year, he issued a check in favor of A. Allen for the sum of $375, and the paying teller's stamp shows the check was honored the same day. There is nothing unusual about such a business transaction. Where Mr. Ripley might be interested is in the recovery of the check.

“In October, 1938, James L. Marr, son of James Marr Sr., who is engaged in the real estate business, was walking in the 100 block on North Stanton street near the Leavell and Sherman real estate office. His attention was drawn to a piece of paper being blown along the gutter. As it looked like a check, he picked it up and to his surprise he found that it was an old check written by his father in 1881, only a few months after the bank had opened for business.

“The check itself is well preserved, the printing, the writing and the bank stamp are all clearly shown. The check was loaned to me for the purpose of this story and The Herald-Post is hereto granted the privilege of using this most interesting “Believe It Or Not” incident provided no attempt will be made to cash the check.

“Just where this check had been all these 58 years, no one seems to know and when it was thrown into the alley to be picked up by the son of the man who wrote the check is a great a mystery.”