The Indianapolis journal., 1885-10-28
HOW A BANK WAS WRECKED.
Ex-Banker Fish Continues His Story Of
the Operations of Ferdinand Ward.
Letters Showing the Close Quarters Into
Which the Marine Bank Was Occasionally
Forced-Grant's Name Not Smirched.

Forced-Grant'sN Name Not Smirched.
NEW YORK, Oct. 27.-The county courthouse
was crowded this morning with people anxious
to gain admttance to the courtroom of Oyer and
Terminer where Ferdinand Ward is on trial.
Benjamin Fish, the paying teller of the Marine
Bank, was recalled to the stand, and Ward
listened attentiyely as he read off the amount of
deposits made by himself and the firm of Grant
G. Ward. Some of the deposits ranged in the
hundreds OF thousands.
General Tracey demanded that certain books
be produced, and they not being at hand. he
asked for time to examine them.
'I don't propose to delay this case" was the
answer of the judge "and you will have to get
the books the best way you cam
In his testimony Paying teller Fish said: "On
April 26, 1884. Grant & Ward had a balance of
$40 000 and on the morning of May the balance
was 1904, 702 e. On May Ward was raising
money for the bank and he managed the de-
posits"
By consent of the counsel, the sheets from
which these statement were given by the wit
admitted as evidence, thereby exclud-
drafts. Grant 6 Ward had two accounts. one
special and the other general. Ward had an in
dividual account, and drew against the three.
The sheets of the accounts were also admitted
as evidence. Ward had spoken to witness about
the purpose of his special account, but testimony
On that point was ruled out, upon objection, and
the witness was excused.
Samuel d. Cornell, book-kee of the First
National Bank, testified that Wards balance on
May l, 2, 3, 4, and 6, was So 2l3 9s; there were
no deposits made on any of those days. Wards
account was opened in June, 1881. Three checks
drawn by Ward, came through the clearing
house on the morning of May 6, to the amount
of $215, 000
Expresident Fish was next recalled ard his
cross examination was resumed by General
Tracy.
II do not know" he said, chow many letters
received from Ward on May s. 1t is not true
that my bank was in financial difficulty since
January, 1882 and that Ward kept helping to
save it. We pressed Ward to return us the
money which he and his firm had borrowed"
Ward handed General Tracy number of let
ters to examine the witness upon. Mr.. Fish was
examined at length upon the meaning of the let
ters and also upon the testimony given by him
upon his own trial in the United States Court
The first letter read is as follows:
MARINE NATIONAL BANK
Nos. TS and 80 Wall street, )
NEW YORK. Jan. a. 1882.
My Dear Mr.. Ward-You must arrange matters
little by yourself. I was away yesterday, as you
know. Meiggs was here and is here now closely crit
icizng geverythin@suspcious about mining stocks etc,
ETC.. and is in pleasant frame of mind. l do not
know how to enter up these Elizabeth City and Nor
folk bonds while he is here-I mean for the $S. 900.
Yours in confusion, j. ID. FISH.
Other letters were offered, as follows, upon
which the witness was examined. This one was
written upon sheet torn in two
MONDAY Dec IL, 1882.
My Dear Mr.. Ward-We $l12,Oo debit this
morning. Get in all the money you can by hook or
crook, any other honest method. JD.F.
Another:
NEW YORK Sept. 2, 1882
My Dear Mr.. Ward-I cannot go away from the
bank to-day We debtor bank this morning
1878 600 and / have all do to keep matters
right side up here. Where is General Grant, Cannot
he get money from the United States Bank for
g. & W., or on their note indorsed by me2 j. D. f.
Another
NFw YORK Aug 80. go.
Nv Dear Mr.. Ward-We are $751; 900 under our
required this morning, and it will not do to
make loans. Otherwise l would be very glad to
oblige. am laying all my energies to getting
in decent shape in this place I'D. F.
Another:
NEW YORK March 20, 1882
Mr.. Dear Mr.; Ward-We want money Ii you can
get in some. don't care what it COSTS Id. E.
Another:
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 1892
My Dear Ward-Let me know if Colonel Grant can
get In say $40 600 or 500 0OO If than that it
would be we'll. Let us gather all the money can
-''' ''' NV = j. D. FISH
On the other side of this letter was written:
IF you can convert more of these Missouri Pacific
thirds into cash at no. either for the bank myself
you had better do so; we want money.
Another:
suppose we can stand it day longer, but I am
Al SO A,0,,h Ia abr oil
tious now to get into the Erie. l am sorry said
anything about it. If you know of some acceptable
who wants to be president OF a small bank down
the street can find place for him. Yours,
Another:
TPrvate-strictly confdential1 We were only Sc
900 creditor clearing house this morning Wemust put
ourselves in good condition at once Mr. M. is very
friendly and will give chance to put ourselves
all right before he makes his report Want to be that
way by tomorrow. JD.F
Sept 2, 1883.
1.-THE Mr.. M. referred to was Mr.. Meiggs the
bank examiner.
Another:
Feb. IL 1884.
Mr. Fsh-How do we stand this morning at clear
ing housea b. W.
To this Mr.. Fish responded:
Ninety-one thousand dollars debit Is it not dis.
gustingl JDF
TECToNTC SAVINGS BANK
NEW YORK, Nov. g 1888.
Dear Mr., Ward-We voted to pass resolutions to
apply for government deposits. Details, etc. to fill
in after with form of bond Debtor bank this morn
ing S467. 600. Yours J.D.F
Another:
OFFICE OF THE HAVANA GAs-LLGHT Co.
NEW YORK, March 2S 1884. :
My Dear Mr.. Ward-I don't think it will be best for
me to ask Seligman to do anything. Perhaps we have
some securities in collaterals which could
borrow something This constant strain and annoy
ence Is wearing me out, and is using up. Have
Spencer, Jewett a. Co. influence with the Bank of
commerce to do anythinga If this goes on this way
the situation will be not only serious but dangerous
Yours, j. ID. FISH.
p. 81 do not think Seligmans would let me have
tbs money, and don't want to be refused
Another:
NEW YORK, March 49, 1884
Mr. f. Ward-Please let Mr.. Doty have checks for