The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-11
SMALL COMFORT In
GEORGE w. HALLS
SAFE DEPOSIT BOX.
Lodge Leaves hut 9S37.12 when
He Departs for Alaska-Friends
Stfu Believe in His Innocence.

A safe deposit treasure box which proved
almost barren Of wealth when opened
under the orders Of the court. figured In
another law suit yesterday, that OF the
Right Worthy Grand Lodge, l. o. Q. F., OF
Washington. VS.. George w. Han and the
Seattle Safe Deposit Company. tried be-
fore Judge Benson In the superior court
This Is the suit the fling OF which last
summer first called public attention TO a
fact which had for months been Kept a
profound secret. that ex-Mayor Hall. an
old and respected citizen OF Seattle, had
departed for the gold fields Of Alaska short
in MS accounts as treasurer OF tne 1rano
Lodge, and was even suspected OF being q
defaulter In a position Of trust he had oc-
cupied for many years.
The suit brought by the Grand Lodge
against ex-Mayor Hall was for the recov-
cry Of S5,ssl.2s lodge funds which were sus-
pected to be locked UP in his private box
in the Safe Deposit Company's vaults.
and the company. refusing to open the
box, was made q party to the suit for an
injunction. Yesterday the case was quiet
iy tried, and then Il transpired that the
treasure box contained in state warrants.
bought FOR investment with lodge funds,
just SS37 IL The Grand Lodge officers had
fully believed, 1t is said, that at least
s., GO would be brought to light when the
treasure box was opened.
The testimony Of H. f. Holmes. who is
secretary OF the Safe Deposit Co.. as well as
one of the Grand Lodge officers, was 10 the
warrants only All envelope marked 'pri-
vate" which was not opened, and a jewel
case containing, an Odd Fellows jewel and
an opal scarf pin. The only other witness
was Jerry Fortain. grand secretary OF the
lodge. who testified AZ TO MIR. Hairs cleo
ton and duties and as 10 the records OF the
lodge. The court entered DEFAULT against
Mr. Hail and signed an order requiring the
Safe Deposit Company TO turn the securt-
ties over 10 the lodge.
Al the time the suit was nled against
Mr. Hall the grand lodge officers made
every effort 10 keep the matter secret. and
absolutely refused 10 state the amount or
Mr. Halls alleged shortage. This course
they still pursue. saying that II u bad
matter and cannot be made better by more
publicity. AT that time IL was limited that
the shortage might far exceed the s., ssl- -
sued for. Now however, IL liz claimed that
the amount named IL not far from correct.
IL WAS hoped that the ireasstrers private
sac deposit box would be found 10 contain
lodge securities enough 10 entirely square
up his accounts. His friends in the order
could not then and DO not now believe thar
he had betrayed their trust In him.
MIR. Hall Ia supposed TO be TOW In Daw-
son Il is rdmored thai At last accounts
he was FIJI at a hospital in that city. He
wen, norsn in April. q short time before
the meeting OF the Grand Lodge 10 engage
ia a boa, building enterprise al Lake Ben
nett. His consequent failure % make his
ANNUAL report to The Grand Lodge and the
spr-esnfrren: Of committee to invest gate,
resulted in the discovery OF his shortage.
II IN understood that the boat building
ENTERPRISE resulted in financial disaster for
Mr. Hall ard his partner. and thai bota
lost heavily by IL
r,ent 20 make with regard 20 what course
they VIII pursue now that their hopes OF
srdsr.S The missing funds IA tbs Ease de-
pcs.a box have failed