The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-02
A STOCKHOLDERS QUESTION.
The San Quentin Warden and
the Bank Failure.
DID NOT WAIT FOR PER CENT.
When Seneca SwaIm's Appeal for
Pardon Was Under Consideration
Hale Demanded the Coin.

"Whas / would like to know Is why
Dick Mcdonald paid out to Warden Hale
of San Quentin IState prison $4,000. which
was ON deposit in the Peoples Home
Savings Bank?"
A stockholder and deDositor, who is one
of the worst victims. made this half-state-
ment, half-question, yesterday IN the
public corridor of the bank while waiting
for young Dick, and after relieving him.
self of this explosion he went on CON-
menting upon the expenditures of $4,000,
while the bank was paying out about
$4,000 in four months.
when man goes deeper into the books
than these wreckers in here would like he
can find many peculiar things which have
not yet appeared in the papers. No. sir
the inside history of the bank has yet to
be written, and when that takes place
there will be trouble all round"
The particular incident, mentioned more
as the exclamation of an Indignant man
than otherwise. has story behind it, part
of which is familiar to the community and
part SC far has been secret
Warden Hale, in accordance with rule
of the Prison Commissioners, was given
charge of money belonging TO prisoners in
trust for the conyicts until they would
regain their freedom. Instead of keeping
it in the prison safe he very wisely be-
thought of depositing it in some savings
bank. but not so wisely placed it in the
Peoples Home. So far as could be learned
yesterday there were two accounts opened
by the Warden. One amounted 10 $1,000.
and another was $1,000. There were good
reasons, no doubt. for selecting Melon
AIDS bank as q depository for convicts'
cash, but whether any of the coin belonged
to Seneca Swain was never thought Of.
When the crash came last summer the
$4,000 good gold coin deposited by Warden
Hale was engulfed with the rest in Ari-
IONA irrigation bonds or similar securities.
The Warden .ead with amaZement next
morning that the bank had failed. and pos
sibly he foresaw very bad times ahead in
connection with his trust. Those who
know say he fumed and inveighed against
the MeDonalds, and thereafter settled
down to a businesslike view Of the situa-
ton.
He started for town at once and never
rested till inside the private Office of Dick
Mcdonald. The exact words that were
spoken on this occasion nobody knows but
Dick and Warden Hale. The result of
the interview, however. is in evidence.
The warden got his $4,000 without having
to wait for appointments of per cent
every three months, or accepting any ex-
cuses, no matter how plausible. for he was
paid right away and took his coin else
where.
AS the story goes Warden Hale would
not take mo" for an answer when he de-
manded the money. He had the whip in
his hand and knew its power, and Mr..
Mcdonald could not offer resistance, fear
ing it would fall.
About the same time a petition for the
release of Seneca Swain was under con-
sideration of the StateI prison authorities.
It will be remem bered, of course, that
Swain was convicted and sentenced to San
Quentin prison for seven years in 1889 for
going eastward with diamonds and jew
els belonging to Young Mira. Mcdonald,
who was enamored of him.
The scandal over Swalm's amour with
Mrs. Mcdonald does not need repeating
with all its charges and countercbarges.
her shooting at DR.. Mcdonald at the Bald
win Hotel. her sensational charges against
him and the outcome. Swain was a gay
man of the world and captivated Dicks
wife. The couple agreed to elope, and be
went first with her jewelry, but was ar.
rested at Colfax and hurried to San Quen.
tin by bitter prosecution.
Since Swain dOnned the convict garb he
has been a model prisoner. His friends
made an effort to secure executive elem
ency in his behalf, laying before the Gov.
ernor petition for Communication OF his
sentence. The appeal was before the
Prison Commission when the Peoples
Home Savings Bank failed. so the time
was peculiarly opportune for Hale to make
q demand for his money.
He is credited with intimating that II
the money was not paid he would speak SC
well of Swain that his words would be a
recommendation for his (Swalm's) release.
The money was paid out only too readily,
for it would never do to lose Hale's friend.
ship.
1t is known that Warden Hale was a
vigorous opponent to the Communication OF
Swalm's fentence when the appeal did
come before the Prison Commissioners.
And Seneca still repines within the
gloomy walls, with not ray of hope fol
liberty before the final day of his term
shall have expired.