The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-01-18
ANOTHER DOUBLE LIFE.
Lionel Stage, the Portland Bank EX-
aminer, an Ex-ConViCt.
A QUIET ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
He Has LED au Upright Life since.
Under an Assumed Name Ie serv.
ed n Term La the Oregon Peni.
tentiary-Tbe Expssurc.

Nhtiouhl udnk, ttfNcu term III the pen
itentiary about four years ago under the
name Of A. L. Warehouse for passing a
raised check on the proprietor of the Gil
man house and his picture is now in the
rogues' gallery. Thefact has been known
to few people in Portland for some days
past, but no great stir has been created
by il so far, because the parties who
made the discovery have apparently been
preparing to make use of 1t with the
comptroller to force Stages resignation
or removal from office. Whether or not
they intend to make use of it they do not
say, but il is certain that they have made
sure Of all the facts above stated, and that
Stagge has been identified by the warden
OF the penitentiarv at Salem as the man
who served the one year term under the
name of Warehouse, and who was con-
victed in Portland in December, 1889.
Stsgge was made receiver OF the Oregon
National bank without recommendation
from anybody in Portland, SO far as
known. He is the owner and editor Of
the Pacific Banker and Investor, and was
a staunch supporter and defender eli Eek
els when that gentleman was being rather
severely criticized by various other publ
cations. He went to Washington some
time last summer 10 the interest Of his
magazine, and while there met the comp.
troller and was offered the receivership
OF the Linn County National bank OF Ore
gon, which had failed He returned
home, but Jailed TO get the bono required
to secure that position. The bond do
lnanded was for $4,000, whereas. he
could only secure about 81 5000. He
notified the comptroller Of his inability 10
qualify and shortly aiterwsrd was ap-
pointed bank examiner without further
effort on his part and, as before, withou.
the Endorsement OF anybody in Portland,
so far as known, while various other per
sons were actively supported and recon-.
mended for that appointment. lie quail
flied as examiner and eniA-~L -'~Pon ,iie
.,;-..I--- ms duties, and so far as
known, has discharged all his RESPONSE
bilities with fidelity and success. Some
time after being appointed examiner he
was sent TO Spokane to take charge Of
one of the failed banks there, and man
aged the business satisfactorily, until the
bank was prepared to reopen, when he
turned 1t over to its officials. =
Stagge does not deny his offense, nor that
he has been punished for it. He says
the amount involved was only $50. II
seems that he was not well known In
Portland at that time, and having been
convicted and sentenced under an assum-
ed name nobody has ever suspected that
he had ever been in trouble OF this kind
until now. Since leaving the penitentiary
he has conducted himself creditably, has
been married, and has been quite sue
cessful in business way, even before he
had the good fortune to become acquaint-
ed with Comptroller Eckels. His bonds.
men rs receiver of the bank are among
the weathiest citizens Of Portland. While
he is deeply mortified by the exposure of
his former record he is resolved to face
the matter courageously.
December l6, 1889, Warehouse plead
ed guilty to the charge OF obtaining money
under false pretenses, and the following
day, December IL, was sentenced to one
year in the state pententiary at Salem.
Before sentence was passed the prisoner
asked that he might serve his time in
the county jail, saying his professional
career, that Of journalist, would be
jeopardized by a penitentiary term.
The feeling in Portland is one Of sym
pathy for Stages young vile and admi-
ration for the man in having succeeded
In securing place Of such trust and
prominence after having filed convict
cell. Stages bondsmen held meeting
and formally declared their confidence in
him. There is general regret that the
matter should have been made public,
especially since Stagge had consented to
forward his resignation. There were a
number of people after bis place and they
helped TO give currency to the report that
his buried past had been dug up. 1t was
as much due TO their talk as anything
else that the facts were given to the pub
lie in such sensational manner
Stage or Warehouse was married
about two yeas ago to Miss Straight, of
Eugene, very estimsble young woman.
She knew nothing whatever OF his aliases,
crime or the fact that he han served
term in the penitentiary.
In an interview with reporter he
made no attempt TO deny his guilt,
though he made an urgent and pathetic
appeal for public sympathy, and espec-
tally for leniency on the part OF the press,
II ask this particularly on my wife's
account, against whom my greatest sin
has been done, because never told her
Of my crime until recently. She bore it
like brave little woman and now stands
by me. For her sake | would like to
redeem myself in this community where
my first and only crime was done"
Mr.. Stage made the following state
ment
81 arrived In Portland without money.
| stayed at the Gilman house. A friend
who was sick. came with me. The day
after | arrived drew a check for $50 on
3 Chicago bank in which had no funds.
This check was csshed by the Gilman
house and returned, of course, unpaid. l |
was arrested on the charge of obtaining
money under false pretenses.
Having no friends here to 90 on my |