The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-23
THE TRIAL OF R. H. PANNlLL.
Intense Interest In The Alleged EmbtZ-
la'S Case.
THE LYECHBURG COURT CROWDED.
A jury Obtained without Trouoie-mr'
Montague Opened tho Argument Tor the
Govornmept-Replyo of tho Defence

walker G.. Hammer in abstracting and
opnsezzling funds from the First National
Bank. was booked for 10 o'clock, but
owing G. the appearance before tho
court OF the case OF G. c. Robinson
against several insurance companies, the
trial of Pannin was delayed for some
little time
AT 10 O'Clock. the time appointed for
the opening OF court. every available
space I'm the courtroom was occupied
and the interested manifested was in
tense. Numbers Of persons were turned
away, and yet 80 eager was the crowd
10 catch some crumb of the proceedings
that many stood in the halls. and some
even waited without the building for the
slightest bit of news that might afford
them Information IN regard to the trial.
PANNILL N COURT
Pannil was brought into the court
room at exactly ten minutes to II O'Clock,
accompanied by his father mother and
brother. Mr.. Pannill was dressed I'm a
dark suit, getaway coat with a small
black cfavat. lie was apparently per-
fectly composed and was but little changed
by his long confinement in jail. lie took
his seat between his mother and father,
just behind his counsel. Court was
called to order and the trial entered upon.
Mr. John l.. Lee, who, with Mr.. Ran
dolph Harrison, represented the counsel
for the defence, entered a demurrer in
behalf OF the prisoner. saying that he
did not desire to argue the matter "A
jury was obtained without trouble, and
there was not single LynchDurger on
it. Briefly stating the statute on the
case, and the punishment inflicted IN
the event OF n verdict for the Govern
ment. Mr.. Montague said;
THE GOVERNMENTS SIDE.
Mr. Pannill got over $500, secured by
goin6 to the teller with deposit slips,
and the fact that his name was at the
top OF this slip viii alone show you
that Mr. Pannin was in collusion with
Mr.. Hammer Mr.. Pannill would draw
the checks and draw the money. lie
had nothing I'm the bank, and by this
system he would draw money 10 which
he had no right. We VIII show you
that here is a gentleman who gets a
small salary, and yet in the month OF
january deposits $4,000. and upon that
sum draws money.
Some time before Christmas Mr.. Pan
nil owed the bank 5000. whereas the
books showed that the bank owed Iah-
mill. He was notified of this, and on the |
18th of February he and Mr.. Hammer !
claimed that the amount had beeh re-
drced 10 500. while. as matter OF tact' |
81 had been increased 10 $1,000. IL IS con-
tended bv the Government that Mr.. PAN
nil could rot have gotten This money
without the aid Of Mr.. Hammer, the two |
being halves of a whole. Each would be
useless without the other. 1t would nave
been impossible for Mr.. Pannill TO nave
gotten this money without the assistance |
of MIR. Hammer. These deposits are in the |
handwriting of Mr.. Pannill We viii show |
Won that the amount of the checks de-
nestled in January were the same as those |
dcposited in December. having been re-
peated time after time.
THE DEFEScR's SIDE.
Mr.. Montague was replied to by Mr.. Lee
who addressed the jury briefly as iol-
lows:
You have just heard an imaginative
statement OF facts-a statement OF IN
forencey. You Will be the judges of the
proper differences to be drawn, and you
win not be prejudiced by infercnces by
this gentleman. You have heard the
dark and gloomy side OF this case.
mall trv I'm my humble way TO present
10 YOU a fair and honest side or these
transactions. MIR. Pannill Is a young
man Of about thirty years OF age. ABOUT
ten years ago he came from petersburg |
10 this .rity entirely without means
relying for success solely upon his own
efforts. and his own integrity of purpose
IL will appear that he came here ana
vac taken up by the chesapeake and
Ohio For ten years he was the trusted
.mplove of that road. and giving every
evidence OF the highest conduct. so
faithful was the character he displayed
I'm that humble position, that through one
position TO another until three or four
wears ago. he was appointed ticket agent
OF the chesapeake and Ohio
II will appear in evidence that Mr..
Hammer, the teller ten years ago was
scarcely known 10 this prisoner 1t Will !
also appear that in 1891 Mr.. Pannili moved |
his account to that bank and he trans
ferIeC il to that bank because he was
info Tmed Of the honesty of methods pur-
sued by the institution. and Of the court
esy invariably displayed by the officers.
or all men In Lynchburg there has never
beer a man who stood higher in public
esteem tnan Walker G. Hammer.
WHAT is CHARGED.
They say that they will show that
Iannill got 5000. We will show you that
Mr. Blggers the bookkeeper. overdrew
his account 81 200; Mr.. Shumate over 500
and Mr.. Adams over $780, and yet they
we're reirstated. and / ain glad Of II.
There are no better men than they. are
in this city. Pannill has not done any
thing wrong. This shame has been brought
uron him by his trust i'm Hammer and
10 the gross mismanagement Of the bank |
by the officers. Now. If you find these the
true facts in the case, you will bring in
a verdict that Will acquit him fully of any
Intentional crminality in this matter
PRESIDENT ADAMS TEsTIFIEs
The first witness, Captain r. III. r.
Adams president OF the bank stated
briefly the history OF the institution and
III facts connected with the discovery
% the shortage. Pannilrs shortage evi-
1euced by checks found concealed in
Teller Hammers drawer. aggrega,ing over /,
5000, These checks were examined by
Mr. Adams before the court and in an
'wer 10 interrogatOries, stated that num-
ber OF amounts corresponding exactly
with checks found thus concealed had
been deposited In the bank over and over S
again. one as many as eighty-foHr times Y
and twice in one day. I
DUPLICATION or DEPOSIT SLIPS.
Deposit slips of different DAYS were
and the fact disclosed that
IN more than one comparison large
OF the amounts reptesenting
checks. were identical In two or more G
slips. One check In particular, upon | !
was found TO be STAMPED ! /.
PAID" twice on It's back. and over one | ,
)f the Impressions was paster. which I
he witness stated was evidently put | I
here with view of concealment
ON >cross-examinaton the fact was
brought out that Mr. Biggers the first
book keeper; Mr.. Shunate the second
book keeper. and MIR. Adams, the runner
h. l.ata bf.A hale oil f..l n. M /