The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-11-04
A RUCIT|VDS RETURN.
Marsh, Philadelphia's Thieviug
Banker, Surrenders Himself.
TIRED OF FLEEING FROM JUSTICE
His Surrender IIastcncd by Reading
the Report OF a speech by EX-Post-
master General Wanamakcr Urging
Him to Return and Stand Trial.

master General Wanamakcr Urging
Him to Return and stand Trial.
Philadelphia Nov. A. Gideon W.
Marsh, the fugitive president Of the
now defunct keystone National bank,
returned to the city yesterday after an
absence of seven years and half and
surrendered himself to his bondsman,
William II. Wanamaker. Late in the
afternoon Mr.. Wanamaker accompani-
ed Marsh to the Office of United States
District Attorney Beck and the latter
at once turned the fugitive bank presi-
dent over to the custody of the United
States marshal to await hearing.
Marsh admitted his identity, but made
no statement to the district attorney
and was asked no questions.
The closing of the doors of the Key
stone National bank on March 20. 1891.
caused a profound sensation. A run
had been made on the bank few
months prior to that date, but the
crisis was tided over and the public
was taken by surprise when the failure
became known. Subsequent investga-
ton showed that the bank had been
practically looted, and that there was
little left for depositors and other cred
ftors. City Treasurer John Bardsley
had loaned to the bank several hun
dred thousand dollars of the city funds,
and on these loans he had been draw
ing intersst for his individual profit.
Bardsley was arrested and his trial
resulted in a sentence of 15 years I'M
pris"nment in the Eastern penitentiary,
several years of which he served. He
was finally granted a pardon by the
state board of pardOns.
President Marsh and Cashier Charles
Lawrence were placed under arrest on
May 4, 1891, charged with conspiracy
to make false entries in the books of
the bank and the willful misaupica-
tiun of funds of the institution. When
arraigned before United States Com
missioner Bell they were held for
hearing on May IS. Both secured bonds
men and were released. Marsh in
duced William II. Wanamaker, brother
Of eX-Postmaster General John Wana-
maker to enter bail for him, which he
did in the amount of $4,000. On May
u. the day fixed for a final hearing.
Lawrence appeared. but Marsh had
fed. The bail furnished for his APP
pearance was forfeited. and the en-
tire amount Of $4,000 was paid to the
clerk of the United States district
court by Mr.. Wanamaker. Since that
date it is said Mr.. Wanamaker has
spent 100000 more to apprehend Marsh
and bring him to trial. Lawrence was
convicted and sentenced to seven years
imprisonment. which he served, less
the Communication for good behavior.
3farsh managed to elude the officers
Of the law, who searched the entire
cauntry for him. and the detectives
who were even sent to points in South
America, whence there had come re-
parts that the fugitive president had
been seen. Even after the United
States authorities had abandoned their
search 1t was kept up by Marshs
bondsman. but without success. Not
until Wednesday did his bondsman get
an Inklng of his whereabou Then
. telegram came to William II. Wan
aMaker's Office stating that Marsh was
nj the Hotel Waldorf Astoria, New
York city, and would surrender to him
In Philadelphia yesterday. Mr.. Wan
amaker. who was in Boston, was i'm
anedia tely advised, and he left that
city for New York at once. 1t is un-
derstond that the fugitive and his
bsndsman met in New York Wednes-
day night and the agreement was there
cesched for Marsh to come to Phila
delpnia yesterday and surrender to the
authorities.
Marsh. in talking to friends who call
ed on him in the United States mar
shaIs office before he was taken to
prison. said that in the more than seven
years Of his absence he has roamed
ALMOST over the whole world and work.
ed for living al anything he could get
to do. When he left he had with him
ei.ss5 which he had collected from
two friends who owed him that
eHount. He went by a circuitolls route
TO Brazil, and afterward Travelled from
EiacA to place all over the world. He
then returned to America and eventu-
silly lo"ated in the state of Washing
ten. where. he said. he had earned
money at any kind of labor he could
rel. II" said he often longed to come
back to Philadelphia, but WAS deferred
Though desire to protect his children
from scandal. He felt that to return
would revive state of affairs that
would he n scandal to his family. Mrs
Marsh. by the way, obtained a divorce
irefi tn" fugitive about ii year ago on
the ground of desertion.
Thu name of the fugitive ha freuuent-
1y been mentioned in the utterances
6f speakers at political mass meetings
in the present furiously exciting cam
pa!sn. and Marsh has particularly been
fhr subject of heated controversy be-
tween United States Senator Penrose
and John Wanamaker
In a speech a few weeks ago Senator
Penrosa intimated that John Wana-
maker. prior to the failure of the Key
stone bank, had knowledge of an over |
assue of the hanks stock and knowl- |
edge of a demand made by President |
Marsh on City Treasurer Barasley for
an additional deposit of city funds.
He Tcnrosc) SAID 1t was to the interest |
Of Wanamaker that Marsh should not |
come back to Philadelphia. The sena- |
tor said h" had been in communication |
with Marsh, and that the latter would |
probably soon come back and tell all !
he krew about the looting of the bank.
A few nights after the speech OF |
Senator Penrose accusing Wanamaker |
Of having inside knowledge of the Key
stone bank affairs, the latter delivered |
q speech at the Academy Of Music. |
In the course of his speech he said:
"There Is nothing that will please me
10 much as Mr.. Marshs return, and
] welcome the opening again of every
book and paper of the bank to public
gaze. even as | did years ago. II my
foes will bring this man, doubtless more
sinned against than SHINING, into court,
and he will tell the truth, will use my
utmost endeavor in securing all the
leniency POSSIBLE in his sentence, and
after he has finished it I will aid him
In re- establishing himself and his fam.