The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-25
st. Paul's Congressman Faces
a Charge of Appropriating
$8,0O0---Pleads Not Gull
ty, and Asks for Immedi-
ate Trial---Friday Fixed as
the Day---Pieree Butler and
J. M. Hawthorne the At
torneys.

The grand jury returned two indict-
ments yesterday afternoon. One Of
them is against Congressman Frede-
rick c. Stevens and the other against
William F. BickeL The Indictment Of
Mr.. Stevens caused little surprise, as
it was generally reported last Saturday
that a bill had been ordered drawn
against him.
The Indictment against Congressman
Stevens charges him with appropriate
ing from the Minnesota Savings bank
to his own use the sum of $S,04674 1t
is charged that the alleged offense was
committed on July 8, 1896.
When the Indictment was returned
shortly before p. M, Mr. Stevens was
not present, but his attorneys, Pierce
Butler and j. M. Hawthorne, soon ap-
peared, and, in the course of an hour
thereafter, Mr.. Stevens walked into the
criminal court room, where Judge Lew
is was trying small larceny case.
County Attorney Anderson was de-
nouncing the defendant in scathing
language just as Mr. Stevens entered
the court room. The trial proceeded
as though nothing had happened and,
soon after, Counsellor S. l.. Pierce arose
and, in behalf of his client, delivered
a most dramatic eXhortation to the
jury. AS soon as the atmosphere had
cleared, the court indicated that the
time had arrived to arraign Mr.. Stew
ems. The county attorney asked Mr..
Stevens to step before the bar, and
the congressman came forward, accom-
panied by Pierce Butler and j. NJ.
Hawthorne.
1--WE waive the reading of the in
not guilty, asking for the usual priv
ilege Of withdrawing the plea within
four days, should we so desire"
The privilege was granted. Then
Mr.. Butler informed the court that Mr.
Stevens wanted his case tried at once,
as, being an officer of the United States
government, he was anxious to return
to his duties in Washington as soon as
possible.
"All we ask is that the county at
torney furnish us with a bill of par
ticulars tomorrow" said Mr.. Butler,
land we will be ready to go to trial
the next day. The case should certain
ly be given a preference in order Of
trial.
1.-The court is ready to proceed with
the trial at any time the county attor-
ney is prepared" announced Judge
Lewis.
County Attorney Anderson looked
uncomfortable. Having been disar-
pointed in his effort to secure the con-
tinuance of the Bickel trial until
later date than next Monday, Mr.. An
derson remarked with some reluctance
of manner:
81 dislike to say it, but, as a matter
of fact, l am in no physical condition
to try this case now"
The court suggested that the case
might be brought to trial on Friday
next. This was agreeable to Mr.. But
Ter, who repeated his request that the
county attorney furnish him with bill,
of particulars today, which that Of
fetal consented to do.
The court then fixed bail in the sum
of $4,000, and Mr. Stevens offered as
sureties County Auditor d. M. Sullivan
and Charles Friend Jr. Both were ac
cepted and Mr.. Stevens soon after de-
parted from the court room with his at
torneys and bondsme1.
1t is the states theory in returning
the indictments that Frederick c.
Savings bank, overdrew his account
since July 8, 1896, in the sum of $S,O4674,
though it is not alleged that the account
of Mr.. Stevens was ever apparently
overdrawn beyond the sum of $4,000.
When the Minnesota Savings bank
closed, it lis said that the apparent over
draft was about $400. The sum named
in the indictment is arrived at, so it
is claimed, by adding together the ac-
counts against him without consider
ing the credits. 1t is also understood
that the receivers of the bank do not
claim that Mr.. Stevens owes the bank
anything, as the ledger account has
been paid. On the contrary, Mr.. Stevens
claims that the bank owes him about
Sc, ,000 and was always indebted to him,
and that certain credits to which he
was entitled, were never entered on his
deposit ledger account. These credits,
Mr.. Stevens says, were for attorneys
fees for his services In foreclosing over
thirty-five real estate mortgages, which
fees amounted to more than S1,S00.
Upon two different occasions Mr..
Stevens declares that he advanced to
the bank 81, 900, which sums were never
credited in the ledger accounts. Mr..
Stevens also puts In claim for pro-
fessional services rendered by him in
defending the suit brought by M. j.
Bell against the Minnesota Savings
bank. In short, Mr.. Stevens claims.
that he can go into court any day, and
recover a judgment for $4,000 against
the bank.
Frederick c. Stevens, president of the
defunct Minnesota Savings bank, has
been connected with the institution
since it was organized as one Of the
financial features Of ST. Paul in June.
1889. The charter was purchased from
Rochester parties in that month and
year, $1,000 being paid for the right
to do business. The charter, which was
granted by the legislature in 1867, pro-
vided for q board of trustees consist
ing of five persons who could organize
and become corporation. When one
of the trustees died or resigned, another
could be elected. In 1889 William F..
Bickel and Frederick G. Stevens found
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