The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-05-21
REFORMhTORy SENTENCE
On Good Behaviour r. A. Turrell
May be Released After
Six Months.
He Left for Saltwater Tuesday tC
Commence Serving His
Sentence.

Wednesday morning Mr.. Philbrick
was again called to the witness stand.
The conversation with R. A. Turrell
was after March 4. 1895, and occurred
in Philbrick's residence at the request
of Turrell according to the witness.
Previous to the confession, the witness
said, the directors had been making
examinations of the books. While
making the examination the defend
ant called the directors attention to
the $1,000 payment to w. P. Dunning-
ton, and said that there was another
party, employed by the bank, inter-
ested in the entry, and he desired
further time to look up the matter.
Afterwards he told Philbrick that
there was another item of $500, and
some other items in which he had no
personal interest, and wanted to know
whether the Board would accept his
personal note for the shortage and
have nothing further said about it.
That evening the Board met again
and there were some matters Turrell
did not care to explain, but he was
willing to give his personal note for
the shortage. The next morning an
other meeting was held and lal:com-
munication from R. A. Turrell was
handed to the Board by O. B. Turrell.
This communication was offered in
evidence and is as follows:
REDWOOD FALLS MINI, MARCH /, 1895.
. To the Board of Directors of the Citizens
Bank of Redwood Falls MINI,
Dear Sirs: After careful thinking about
the matters of which we were considering
last evening, 1 have concluded to say this as
being as near what can now say as can do.
There is a matter entirely outside of the
bank or money matter which 1 consider as
sacred trust and which, although as above
said is not connected with this matter,
which w1H pe developed if I should. divulge
any more than have already done. I was
the books of the bank and which I found
only few days ago, and at that time I did
not know that the whole matter would re-
fleet on me as it does on the face of it. Now,
beg to say that in no way or in any manner
have used the funds of the bank. If I had
looked up the matter more fully now know
would have been more careful in saying
what did until had investigated the mat
ter more fully. AS concerns me personally
1 would not have made the showing did if I
had known how the matter would look. do
not feel that can let go out of my keeping a
matter which will as a natural consequence
develop. if say any more in regard to the
transaction spoken of last evening. AS to
the connection the person referred to had in
the matter 1 beg to say that 1 have decided
to say that was hasty in saying what did
as matter of suspicion and not having
more ground on which to lay my assertion.
spoke of the matter in confidential man
ner and simply said what thought and now
I find it will not do for me to give any rea-
sons for this thought for the reasons given
above.
have placed among the bills receivable
my note for the sum of three thousand dol
lars and I request that you accept this as
security for matters which cannot explain
and which wish time to look up more fully
also. 1 feel that this is great deal to ask
of you, but cannot at the present time see
no other way to do. I hope you will take
this matter kindly and as a settlement for
the time being at least of this matter, for al
though 1 can say on nv honor that I should
not makeup for this difference. still 1 see
1,<>, xr,o :,
never will tell anything which could injure
in any way anyone until the death of certain
parties.
I also hereby tender my resignation as
assistant cashier of this bank and hope you
will accept the same if you cannot take my
word for the matter as have stated. How
ever, if I can at any time be of any service
to you or this bank or if you feel that you
can trust me to serve in your employ 1 will
be very glad to have you say so, and believe
me, I will do all things in the most faithful
way know how. Yours very trnly,
ROBERT A. TURRELL.
Mr.. Philbrick stated that he was re-
quested to return the note and did so.
"The next morning after the note was
returned, Turrell made the confession
in my house," said Mr.. Philbrick.
On cross examination Mr.. Philbrick
said that the directors met several
times with R. A. Turrell. He denied
having requested Turrell to give the
note for $1,000 At a meeting of the
Directors, when Turrell made state
ment, he said that there we're no
threats to make it hot for Turrell,
whereby his statement was brought
out. The next morning the note was
sent around voluntarily.
A redirect examination followed
and Mr.. Philbrick stated: "The first
thing he said to me in my room was
Can you forgive a man for doing