Rock Island daily Argus., 1889-06-25
Managed from a Cell.
Fidelity Harper in Business by
Telegraph.
RUNNING A BIG IRON ENTERPRISE

While Serving the State as Convict in
the Penitentiary-The Receiver Hears oi
| 1t and Makes Trouble-The Charming
Josie Holmes In Demand by the One.
Time Bank Wrecker to Do Some Fine
| Work for Hin
CINCINNATI, O., Tune 25-The receiver OF
the Fidelity National bank has had some
light thrown on his investigation which the
iron men of this city supposed was hermetic-
ally sealed and which will handicap efforts
that have been made looking to the pardon
Of E. L. Harper, and the following is the
| story that is now current regarding that
eminent convict's operations:
A Convict Managing Business.
Harper, in his suit of stripes, a ten-years'
| convict in the Ohio penitontiary, has been car
rying on business of S35O0.0 per year right
here in Cincinnati and directing its operation
| himself by wire When the Riverside rolling
| mill was closed Harper's estate was sold at
auction by his assignee. In the spring of 1888
| the property was bought by r. w. Nelson for
S5O,UO for Mr. 4. l.. Harper, presumably with
| part OF the $5OO,OU which It WAS generally
supposed had been saved from the wreck by
Harper and his wife. A stock company was
at once formed and Incorporated as the Gin
cinnati Iron and Steel company, with W. p.
Harris, Mrs. Harper's brother president: John
). Pfau, who had been secretary of Harper's
iron mill In Newport, known as Swtft's Iron
and Steel works, Sc 'retary, and Henry Otter
| and II. Matthews, the other two directors and
stockholders
Run on a Cash Basis.
When the concern first started it purchased
its steel billets of the iron merchants of the
city, but refusel to give the names of the
stockholders or directors. Its representatives
fora
been run on cash basis from the start,
And Making Money Rapidly.
Investigation divulges the fact that Harper
has been directing this establishment from
his prison home at Columbus. 1t is said that
sometimes as high as six kilograms per day
are received from him. His brother here in
the city is his personal representative, and 1t
Is claimed, has in ad iition visited his brother
at Columbus almost weekly. Thus has the
business been yielding good profits through
r. l.. Harpers directing genius, while other
mills in the vicinity have run at a loss or been
idle.
The Receiver Gets a Pointer
Recently the books were found to be In an
unsatisfactory condition through careless
bookkeeping, and an expert was called in to
clear them up, when it was discovered that
every dollar of the money in the concern was
advanced by Mrs. Harper. Ii was also dis
covered that there had been more expended
than had been received. These things became
whispered about, and Mr.. Armstrong receiver
of the defunct Fidelity, heard of them. He at
once instituted a quiet but effective inveftiga-
ton. and has only waited his time to seize il.
which will be when he thinks there is enough
money In sight to + cnder such action most ad-
vantageous t. the creditors of the Fidelity.
The Fair Josie Wanted
But Harper is on his guard and Josie
Holmes, his confidential and beautiful clerk
is to be called into play. Harper has already
written to friend here asking for her ad-
dress at once. This, however, his friends find
1t difficult to give, as the fair JOSIE evidently
despairing of again having Harper for a pro-
tector, disappeared from this locality a few
months ago after buryinG her oken-hearted
old mother. 1t is lid she left with q resident
of Avondale, fashionable suburb, where
Harper had installed her In a beautiful cot
tage. Her new love is said to be one Mcbride
and they are now in Boston and are being
sought by Hsrper's agents
What They Want of Her.
1t is evidently their intention to bring Miss
Holmes back here and have b II whi into line
ceftain wealthy and influential citizens on
whom she has hold. after which her charms
and cunning will be used in Washinaton and
elsewhere in lobbying influence for Harper
Several OF the leading politicians of Ohio are
said to be hard at work in Harper's favor.
Big Row Probable.
1t Is believed these exposures concerning the
CINCINNATI Iron and Steel company ana the
violation of prison rules in allowing Harper to
conduct a business by wire from his cell. to-
gether with the probable action of Receiver
Armstrong in seizing the rollinz mill, will stir
up such row that II will put quietus on Mr.
Harper for the time being at least.