Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-25
SAM C. SEELEY
Sentenced to Eight Years in the Peniten-
tary for Robbing the Shoe and Leather
Bank, Of New York City.

New YORK, December 24.-Samuel
c. Seeley, who on Monday last pleaded
guilty to the charge OF abstracting
funds and altering the books OF the
Shoe and Leather Bank, was to-day
sentenced to eight years imprisonment
in Kings county penitentiary by Judge
Benedict in the United States Circuit
Court. The total amount Of the defal-
cation was 1854. 600, but the specific
charges against Sseley involved only
S5,OSO.
The moment Judge Benedict pro-
nounced the sentence, Seeley was escort
ed from the court room to United States
Marshal McCarty's office In the Federal
building by deputies. He was accom-
panied by his uncle, Milford Hallen-
back, who stood beside him during the
trying ordeal.
Seeley threw himself on sofa when
he reached the Marshal's Office, and
when asked by an Associated Press re-
porter IL he had anything TO say be re-
Piled: II feel much better than ! have
felt ia ten years past. am glad 1t is
all over and that l will be con fined In
the Kings county penitentIary, as my
poor wife will be able to visit me. and
this will tend to make my term OF im-
prisonment seem somewhat shorter"
THE DEFAULTING BOOK KEEPER
looked mech better when he emerged
from Ludlow street jail this morning
than on any day since he was brought
back from Chicago. Deputy Marshals
McAViney and Lawless had him in
charge and they stood on the front plat
form OF horse car. Seeley lit cigar
and chatted with his guards and to an
Associated Press reporter, but refused
TO say anything in reference 20 his case.
When the party reached the Federal
building, the prisoner was placed in
Marshal McCartY's Office, where he was
Immediately Joined by his uncle, VIII
ford Hallenoack and Lawyer Frank w.
Angel.
A few minutes lsier Chief Clerk Ken
nedy announced that Judge Benedict
would not pronounce sentence until 2
o'clock in the afternoon.
Vice President George L. Pease and
Director John n. Beach, of the Ma.
tiona Shoe and Leather Bank, called
about an hour later and had talk with
Seeley.
The latter said that even II he should
be sentenced TO the full limit of ten
years, he would most willingly assist
- orc.fais - tba hanG IN atraf1 1b,an
ing out the accounts. Lawyer Angel
asked the gentlemen to intercede with
Judge Benedict in Sseley's behalf, but
they refused.
1--WE are not 10 the least vindictive,"
said Mr.. Beach, "but the case is now In
the hands OF the government, and we
are satisfied TO let the law take It's
course"
AT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE O'CLOCK
Seeley was brought into the United
States Circuit Court. He was not placed
in the pen with the other prisoners, but
sat between the deputies near the coun-
sci taole in the front OF the court. His
uncle kept up continuous conversation q
with him. but SeeIey seemed to take
very little interest in his surroundings
He was very nervous and twisted and
untwlsted a white handkerchief with
both hands.
When Judge Benedict entered the
court, all the chairs were filed with
spectators, among whom we're President
Crane, Vice President Pezse and Direc-
tor Beach, Of the Shoe and Leather
Bank. A couple Of Italians were first
called for sentence. They had pleaded
guilty 70 election frauds and were SEN
teneed TO three years each.
When Seeley's lame was called be
arose slowly from bis seat and walked
up TO the bar with his uncle on one side
snd Lawyer Angel on the other.
Lawyer Angel made an earnest plea
for clemeney, and said that, although
the crime charged was 4 very serious
one, be thought the ends of justice
would be served by the innictIon o. the
minimum pen1IIy OF five yesrA
He spoke OF SesIey's willingness to
plead guilty from the day he was
hrought back from Chicago, AMI said
that By so pleading ne had savdi the
Goyernment 3 great deal Of ex4nse.
LAWYER Angsl thea went Into sal his
-sory Of the case aud told hoW SseI&7 In