Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-16
STAUNTON EXCITED.
ARREST or PRESIDENT HOWARD, OF
the STOCK EXCHANGE.
He 10 Charged with Embeszlemcnt Of
runds-Iocked Doors and BULLDOG
Ptstel-Mr. Howard Baiied.
rsn.c,., ,elcsram 20 N. pi,pstch.l

Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch.l
SrAuSroS, Va, December 15.-Great
excitement was caused here this after
noon in business and social circles by
The arrest Of Ernest Howard, ESQ.,. presi-
dent OF the Virginia Stock. Exchange OF
this city. Mr.. Howard was arrested
about o'clock on a warrant sworn out
by some members Of the Stock Exchange
charging him with the embezzlement OF
the funds OF the Exchange. About a
half honr later another warrant was
sworn out against him by John r..
Landes, q member OF the Exchange,
charging him with the larceny OF $50.
POSTPONED.
As the counsel for tine accused called
for proof of the incorporation of the
Virginia Stock Exchange, the prelimi-
nary hearing was postponed by Mayor
Fultz until Saturday in order to enable
the Commonwealth Attorney to secure
the proofs required from the Secretary
OF the Commonwealth at Richmond.
OPINION DIVIDED.
Mr.. Howard came 10 Stanton from
New Orleans about four or five months
AGO. and was the organizer of the Viz
GINA stock Exchange. He is n gentleman
of very pleasant address. and public
opinion seems much divided ss to his
guilt or innocence. lie has retained
District Attorney William T. Craig and
Captain James Bumgardner as his coun-
eel, and seems confident of establishing
his innocence.
THE DOORS LOCKED.
A member OF the Stock Exchange,
who ia also q member of the Board OF
Directors, was seen by the DISPATCH
reporter and stated that when number
OF the stockholders and directors went
10 the Office OF the Exchange for the pur-
pose OF holding regular stockholders
meeting they found the door of the office
locked and poster thereon saying that
the stockholders meeting had been adj
iourned until January 3, 1891. The
gathered stockholders were suspicious.
however, and upon examination discov-
cred that President Howard WAS behind
the locked door busy packing up his
papers and books.
THEY DEsisTED.
He refused 10 admit them or to give
any further information, than that gwen
by the posted notice on the door. AS a
thirty-eight calibre British bulldog re-
yolver lay on the Presidents desk in
front of him, the stockholders thought
il best to desist from their threats OF
breaking down the door. As the ex-
cited crowd we're discussing the situa-
ton. a colored man came out of the Of
flee, passed through the crowd unmo-
Tested, and repaired TO the hotel where
Mr.. Howard and his family live. Short
ly afterwards Howard himself unlocked
the door, walked out, and locked the
door after him.
ARRESTED.
He, too, passed without hindrance
through the crowd and went to the Ma
tional Valley Bank, where he was ar
rested while he was checking out the
balance Of his account. The stOckhold-
ers had in the mean time forced an en-
trance into the Office and obtained, as
they claim, evidence sufficient to arrest
Mr.. Howard on the charge of embezzle-
ment.
AWAITS WITH INTEREST.
1t is supposed that the colored man
was loaded with such evidence in the
shape of papers ms could be conveniently
carried away. The entire business com
munity awaits with interest the result of
the preliminary trial. President Howard
il now out on bail.