The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-12
Bank Receiver Lionel Stacre
Was Once a Convict.
FOR ISSUING A BAD CHECK.
He Served q Term i'm Salem Prison
Under the Name of waterhouse.
Exemplary and He Was Held Posi-
tions o. Irast. hut Democratic once
Seekers Try to Drag Him Down.

gTam published an article this afternoon
giving few pages Of the history of Lionel
esagge. receiver Of the suspended Oregon
National bank. The article states that the
records OF the circuit court show
that on December IL. fSSa. Stagge,
under the name OF A. l.. Water
house, was sentenced 10 one years
imprisonment IN the state peuitentiary
at Salem on a charge of forging n name to
SIS check. After serving his sentence
Stagge returned to Portland, lie was ar-
pointed a national bank examiner last fail.
and when the Oregon National bank Was
closed q few weeks ago he was made re-
ceiver by Comptroller EcksIs. His removal
as receiver has been requested. The article
further states thar prior TO his arrest here
Stagge had issued forged check TO the
United States hotel at Marysviile, Cal,
the amount of which was $35. s;agge is
publisher of the Pdci6c Baaker aud farester.
a monthly magazine issued at Portland.
Stagge makes the following statement:
"In isse arrived at Portland aitsout
money. | STAYED at the Gilman house. A
friend VINO was sick came with me. The
dry after / arrived drew check tor $50
on a Chicago bank in which | had no
funds. This check was cashed by the
Gilman house and returned. of course, un-
paid. | was arrested on charge
of obtaining money under false
pretenses. Having no friends here
10 so on my bond, | was
put IN the county Jail. As had no real
to the peniten;iary for one year. served
this sentence. As this was my only oflense
and was not q hardened or professional
criminal, although an utter stranger
in Portland. determined to regain
my reputation where i lost il. l could
easily have gone 10 another state.
but determined that l would redeem my
reputation here. il for no other reason than
for my own peace of mind. The week after
| finished my sentence obtained employ
ment in Portland, and / have 10 the best
of my ability lived . straightforward and
exemplary life. have been examiner
in charge of the National bank at The
Dalles. and also of the Commercial
National bank at Portland. | have, as
such examiner and without bonds, had in
my absolute possession several hundred
thousand dollars. Every cent of these
funds has been accounted for and paid TO
the persons or banks entitled thereto. My
services as examiner were so satisfactory
that I was appointed by the comptroller
receiver of the Oregon National bank.
This trust have faithfully and honestly
offense, but | endeavored in every way TO
atone for it, do not intend to leave
Portland. / will stay here ii | may, and
continue in my endeavors to atone
for my only offense and regain my
reputation. | hope the press will deal
ieniently with this, particularly on my
wile's account, against whom my greatest
sin has been done. because l never told
her of my crime until the night before last.
She bore il 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 vas done.
". Holman. Stages counsel as re-
ceiver of the Oregon National. says that at
a meeting of Stagge with his bondsmen,
four well-known Portland capitalists. held
at his office tiiis morning. Stagge made
candid and full disclosure of the facts
without claiming any justification, but
stating that he has tried ever since to atone
for his ofiense and 10 live an honest and
exemplary lite Mr.. Holman further said
that he is authorized by all of Stages
hondsmen to say that, considering his eI-
emplary lite since that time, they would
willingly remain on his bonds if 1t were
possible for Stagge 10 continue as receiver.
Much sympathy is expressed by business
was brought about bv disappointed rivals
for the position of bank receiver. The
fact of his being convict had not been
publicly known. This morning, after
learning there would be public discios-
ure. he telegraphed Comptroller Eckels.
asking that official to suspend Judgment
until letter was received explaining the
situation. He then wrote a letter 70 the
comptroller. making full confession. with
explanatory statements, in which he in
closed his resignation as receiver OF the
Oregon National bank.
SALEM. Or. Jan. III. Special. A. l..
waterhouse. exposed in Portland, was
discharged from the penitentiary Novem-
ber %, ts9o. Superintendent Downing
speak. of him as an admirable prisoner,
one VINO realized MS position thoroughly
and made the best OF il. a man of keen
sensibilities and fine education.