Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-09-22
SEATTLE TREASURER.
A VICTIM TO HIS LOYALTY TO
SEATTLE.
He Plays savior TO the Banks, to
His Friends and TO His Fellow.
Citfzens-The ssSeattIe Idea,o in
Finance, ExempIified He Is Ar.
rested at ST. Paul.


rested at ST. Paul.
1t is now quite apparent, says the
Tacoma NeWs, why Seattle banks have
not failed during the recent stress and
strain. They terrorized their deposit
ors and would not allow them to with
draw their money. If man attempt
ed to check out his money the check
would be refused and the depositor
would be threatened with social and
business boycott if he did not get the
check back. Taxpaying time came
around and the banks demanded that
their depositors leave their accounts
intact.
Then came krugs time to play saw
iour both to the banks and the property
owners. He had money, and his
friends no doubt told him that for the
sake OF Seattle's good name it was best
that he should loan it to those who
needed it until the banks would
" loosen up bit" He took care of
taxes for men of wealth who had
money in banks, he loaned money to
property owners, who needed it to pay
interest, he loaned to business men
who could not get credit at the banks.
He knew that the greater bulk of
State funds were in Seattle banks, and
he did not doubt that when the panic
was past these banks would release
their grip on the peoples money and
he would be saved whole. So he gave
right and left, and the banks should
thank him for his kindness. Seattle
should be grateful to him for thus pre-
serving her good name. He took the
place Temporarily that the banks had
hitherto taken, and he did it not be.
cause any personal gain would come
to him, but that his city, which was so
anxious to pass through the panic
without trouble, might be able to her
aid her solidity about.
Krug should have remained in Seat
tie. He never should have budged an
inch. He should have said to the peo-
pie: "Your banks would not let you
have your money. Business would
have come to n standstill and institu-
tons would have failed If some one
had not stepped into the breach. !
had no legal right to do what l did,
but knew it to be necessary for the
good name of your city and mine. !
was to make no money out of the busi
ness. 1t cannot be proved that did
make cent or would have made a
cent. II you wish now to put me in
prison for the rest of my life, do So
l will go willingly as a martyr to the
cause Of Seattle's good name. place
myself absolutely in your hands. l
summon no defenders save the very
few men you will call upon to prose.
cute me. am guilty OF misappropri-
ating city funds, but l am not guilty
Of treason to my town. Your institu-
tons could not have lived without my
doing just what l did. I have sacri-
feed my good name and my fortuue
for your sake. Will you send me to
prison and condemn my wife and
children to starvationG"
Seattle is not SO ungenerous as to
have coldly condemned its saviour.
At st. Paul, Monday, Krug was ar
rested by Frank Crawford, just as he
was stepping on q Chicago & North
western car, for the East. Had flash
OF lightning struck him, he could not
have been more paralyzed. His face
blanched and redeemed, his legs trem-
bled, and he sank almost lifeless to
the ground. Krug pleaded with Craw-
ford to let him 60, but his captor was
obdurate, and he was Immediately
placed in a cab and driven to the Mer-
chants hotel. Here he was identified
by Capt. Ballard, and a telegram was
Immediately sent to Mayor Ronald.
When arrested Krug had but $92.70 in
money and q ticket to New York.
None of the city's stolen money was
found upon him, and he protested
earnestly that he had carried none
away with him. Krug took his arrest
very much to heart, and declared that
he would not return to Seattle alive.
Fears are entertained that he will take
his own life, and precautions are taken
to prevent it.
Mayor Ronald is evidently of the
opinion that Krug's friends will en-.
deavor to secure his release and tele-
graphed Crawford to employ the best
legal talent if the effort is made. He
has requested that the Chief of Police
OF st. Paul detail one of his best Of
ficers to accompany Crawford and
Krug to Seattle.
By this achievement Crawford will
receive 81 900 reward.