The Portland daily press., 1898-11-04
AFTER SEVEN YEARS.
Bank Looter Marsh SuIrenders to
His BOndSmen.
HAD WANDERED ALL OVER THE
FACE OF THE EARTH.

turns and snrrenders Bimsslf-Disap-
peared May 2I. 2S91-William II.
Wanamaker His Bondsman-Was Pres
fdent Defunct Keystone Bank.
Philadelphia, November 8. Gideon W.
Marsh; the fugitive president of the now
defunct Keystone National bank returned
to the city today after an absencesof seven
years and half, and surrendered himself
to his bondsman, VIM. Fl. Wanamaker.
Mr. Wanamaker accompanied Marsh to
the Office of q. S. District Beck. The
district attorney stated that several bench
warrants had been Issued for Marsh and
on these warrants he would commit
Marsh to the custody of the United States
marshal and II he.aing would be given
the prisoner tomorrow. Marsh admitted
his identity, but made no statement and
was asked no questions.
che closing Of the doors of the Keystone
bank on March 20, 1891, caused pro-
found sensation. A run had been made
on the bank a few months prior to that
date, but the ciisis was tided over and
the public was taken by surprise when
the failure became known. Subsequently
investigation showed That the bank had
been practically looted and there was
little left for depositors and other credi-
tors. City Treasurer John Bardsley had
loaned to the bank several hundred thou
sand dollars of the city funds, and On
these loans he had been drawing interest
for his own profit. Bardsley was arrest
ed, tried and sentenced to IS years i'm
prisonment in the Easton penitentiary,
several years of which he served. He
was finally granted a pardon. President
Marsh and Cashier Charles Lawrence
were arrested on May 4, 1891. charged
with conspiracy to make false entries in
the books of the bank and the wilful
mis-application of it's funds. When ar
raigned before U. S. Commissioner Bell
they were held for hearing on May IS.
Both secured bondsmen and were re-
leased. Marsh induced William FL. Wan
amaker, brother of John Wanamaker, to
enter bail for him, which he did in the
amount of $4,000. On May Il, the day
fixed for the final hearing, Lawrence ap-
peared, but Marsh fed The bail was fol-
feited and the $40, 900 was paid to the
clerk of The United States district court
by William Fl. Wanamaker. Since that
date, it is said, Mr.. WaBamaker has
spent $40, 600 more to apprehsnd Marsh.
Lawrence was convicted and sentenced
to seven years imprisonment which he
served, less cummutation for good be-
havior.
Marsh eluded the officers of the law,
who searched ths entire country for him.
Detectives were even sent to points in
South america, whence had come reports
L.
after the United States authorities had
abandoned their search, it was kept up
by Marsh's bondsman, but not until yes
terday did the bondsman get An inkling
of Marsk's whereabouts Then tele-
gram to VIM. II. Wanamaker's office
dorf-Astoria, New York city, and would
surrender to him in Philadelphia. Mr..
Wanamaker. who was in Boston, was i'm
Inediately advised and he left that city
for New York ut once. 1t is said that
Marsh and his bondsman met in New
York last night and agreed that Marsh
should come to Philadelphia today and
surrender. This programme was carried
out.
Marsh. in talking to friends. said that
during his absence he had roamed al
most over the whole world and worked
for a living at anything he could get to
do. When he left he had with him 81 ,3S5,
which he had collected from two debtors.
He went by circuitous route to Brazil
and afterWard travelled from place to
place over the world. He then returned.
to American and eventually located in the
state Of Washington where, he said ne
had earned money at any kind of labor
no could get. He said he often longed to
come back to Philadelphia. but felt that
to return would revive state Of affairs
that would be a scandal to his family.
Mrs. Marsh obtained % divorce from ths
fugitive u year ago on the ground of de-
sertion.
U. S. Districk Attorney Beck when
questioned, said: mir. Marsh has re-
turned without any condition, promise or
understanding whatever from the gov.
ernment. / had no intimation that Mr.
Marsh would return until within a few
hours of his surrender. l know nothing
as to his intention or purposes in coming
back. He has returned in time for trial
at the next term of our district court,
which convenes on the third Monday of
November, at which time | expect to try
him.