The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-25
BANK WRECKER TALKS
LEWIS WARNER DISCUSSES HIS EN-
BEzZLEMENT OF 100000.
Denies He offered N Detective $4,000
in Cash for His Release, and
Says He Is PenniIess.

LOUISVILLE, KY, July N.-Lewis
Warner, the Massachusetts bank wrecker,
who was captured here yesterday, talked at
the city jail with a reporter to-day regard
ing his case. Warner spent restless night
in his cell at the Jail. He arose several
times during the night and walked to and
fro across the floor running his hands
nervouslyN through his hair. He was up
bright and early this morning AID asked the
turkeys if they could not allow him to sit
in the parlor awhile before breakfast. The
privilege was granted him and he seated
himself comfortably in an easy chair. He
bought all the morning papers and read
carefully every line that had been written
about him.
II guess I'm the worst man in the United
States said he laughingly.
Detective Tom Maher, to whom Warner
first confessed his identity, says the en-
bezzler offered him $4,000 in cash to release
him. Maher says he and Warner were sit
ting in Captain Sullivan's private office.
Warner drew his chair close to Maher and.
placing his hand on the officers shoulder
said: IF you will let me go I'll give you
$4,000 in cash. have not the money now
but will get it in short order" Maher says
Warner had fixed expression on his face
which told him that he meant exactly what
he said.
When seen at the Jail this afternoon
Warner was in good spirits. He shook hands
heartily with the reporter. Il suppose you
want me to tell you all 1 know" said he,
laughingly. Il will not do that, for then
you would know as much as /. But will
talk to you. do not intend to touch on
my relations with the Northampton banks
7 to ND
am wanted for embezzling a large amount
of money. do not know the exact amount
From all accounts, however, the shortage
lnuSt he over $500 COO. Furthermore, do not
intend to say how l lost my money, and
became so entangled. 1t is sufficient to say
that / am charged with embezzlng the
funds Of the two banks. / see by the papers
that the banks are in the hands OF re-
ceivers and all my property has been SOLD
to pay off part of the shortage: My resi-
dence was one of the finest in Northamp-
ton / hate to think that my old home
place is gone for good, but that is only one
of the things which trouble me. My man
ufactories cannot bring more than one-nfth
of the total indebtedness of the banks
Have you any money now! was asked:
Il have not dollar replied warner yarn i
to deny myself the many luxuries which |
formerly enjoyed
Warner strongly denied that he had Of
fered any officer $4,000 to be released
do you want TO be taken to Northamp-
ton? asked the reporter.
wen, l. cannot say lIldI w, ISpiic0
Warner Il hate to face those who were
depositorS in the banks. 1t Will be difficult
for me to go among the people who so
often honored me and elected me to posi-
tons of trust. should much rather be TAX
en- to Boston. / am in a serious position.
No one realizes that fact more than /. In
fact, prison stareS me in the face. l regret
my downfall all the more on account or my
two children. My wife died three years ago.
do not expect TO find any friends in Massa-
chusetts Those who once courted my favor
and sought my Endorsement will turn their
backs on me-
Yes, l was once one of the most promi-
iient men IN massachusetts, and now l am
prisoner in the hands of detectives. l told
no one of my intention when l left North
amptOn. l did not even tell my son where
/ was going. l went from Northampton to
Albany, N. Y, and took a train for Cleve-
land. / came from Cleveland to Cincinnati,
thought that this place was as good a one
as could find in which to hide myself
spent most of my time walking in the parks.
/ also spent a great deal of time at the Gait
House and the Louisville Hotel / could
have been found almost any day at either
and read the papers. l usually visited some
saloon in the afternoon where 1 could see
the results of the ball games.
Warner, in vigorous terms, denounced
Charles Porter. the Northampton gentleman
who recognized him on the street here and
years gone by he had befriended Porter and
his relatives. II would not" he said do
what Porter did for 800, 000."
The arrest is conceded to be one of the
best. if not the best, ever made by the
Louisville police Chief Of Police Maynard,
of Northampton, and Sheriff Clark, who will
take charge of Warner, are expected here
hourly.