The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-04
RETURNS TO FACE JUSTICE.
FUGITIVE BANK PRESIDENT MARSH
SURnENDERs AT PHILADELPHIA.

seafch OF Living and Finally
Concludes to Face the Law-Mr.
WannmnSer's speech Causes His
Opportune Arrival in Order 10
Defend MIR. WanamaIxer From Po-
litical Foes.
Philadelphia. Nov. s.-Gideon w. Marsh,
the fugitive president of the now defunct
keystone National Bank, returned to the
city to-day after an absence of seven
years and a half, and surrendered him
self to his bondsman, William II. wana-
maker.
Late this afternoon MIR. Wanamaker ac-
companied Marsh 10 the office of United
States District Attorney Beck, and the
latter turned the fugitive bank president
over to the custody of the United States
marshal, who placed him in jail to await
a hearing tomorrow morning.
The closing of the doors of the keystone
National Bank on March 20. 1891. caused a
profound sensation. 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 investigation showed that the
bank had practically been looted, and that
there was little left for deposltors and
other creditors. City Treasurer John
Rardsley had loaned to the bank several
hundred thousand dollars of the city funds
and on these loans he had been drawing
interest for his own Individual profit.
Bardsley was arrested, and his trial re-
suited In sentence of fifteen years i'm
prisonment in the Eastern penitentiary,
several years of which he served. He was
finally granted pardon by the state board
of pardons.
President Marsh and Cashier Charles
Lawrence were placed under arrest on
May Il, 1891, charged with conspiracy to
make false entries In the. books of the
bank and the wilful misapplication OF It's
funds, When arraigned before United
States Commissioner Bell they were held
for hearing on May Is. Both secured
bondsmen, and were released. Marsh in
duced William H. Wanamaker, brother OF
ex-Postmaster General John Wanamaker
to enter bail for him, which he did In the
amount of $4,000 On May 21, the day
set for final hearings hawrenco appeared
but Marsh had fled. The bail furnished
for his appearance was forfeited and the
entire amount of $4,000 was paid 10 the
clerk of the United States District Court
by william II. Wanamaker. Since that
date, 1t Is said, MIR. Wanamaker has spent
$40 600 more to apprehend Marsh and bring
him 10 trial. Lawrence was convicted and
sentenced to seven years Imprisonment,
which he served, less the commutation for
good behavior
Marsh managed to elude the officers OF
the law, who searched the entire country
for him. Detectives were even sent to
points in South America, whence there had
come reports that the fugitive president
had been seen. Even after the United
States authorities had abandoned their
search it was kept up by Marsh's bonds
men, but without success. Not until yes
terday did his bondsmen get an inkling
of his whereabouts. Then a telegram to
William II. Wanamaker's office stated
that Marsh was at the Hotel Waldorf
Astoria, New York city, and would sur
render to him in Philadelphia to-day Mr..
Wanamaker, who was In Boston, was inn
nledately advised and he left that city
for New York at once. 1t is understood
that the fugitive and his bondsmen met
in New York aast night and an agree
ment was there reached for Marsh to come
to Philadelphia to-day and surrender to
the authorities.
Marsh in talking to friends who called
on him In the United States marshal's
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 worked for a living al
anything he could get to do. When he
left he had 81 1856 which he had collected
from two friends, who owed him that
amount He went by circutous route
10 Brazil and afterwards Travelled from
place to place He returned TO America
and eventually located in the state Of
Washington, where he said he had earned
money at any kind of labor he could get.
He said he often longed to come back to
PHILADELPHIA, but was deferred through a
desire to protect his children from scan
dal He felt that TO return would revive
a state of affairs that would be scandal
TO his family.
Mrs. Marsh, by the way, obtained a di-
vorce from the fugitive about year ago
on the ground of desertion, she making
AFFIDAVIT that she had received no word
from her husband since the day of his
absence.
The news of Marsh's return, when ID be-
came generally known late in the day,
became almost the sole topic of conversa-
ton on the streets, at the hotels and clubs
and In fact In all circles. Not the least
interesting part of the discussion was In
reference to the effect the sudden appear
ance Of the bank president would have in
political circles. The name Of the fugl-
tive was frequently mentioned in the ut
terances of speakers at political mass
meetings in the present exciting campaign
and Marsh has particularly been the sub
iect of heated controversy between United
States Senator Penrose and John Wana-
, maker.
In a speech a few weeks ago Senator
Penrose intimated that John Wanamaker
prior to the failure Of the Keystone Bank,
had knowledge OF an over issue of the
banks stock and knowledge or a demand
made by President Marsh on City Treas
urer Bardsley for an additional deposit or
city funds. He CPenrose) said IL was 70
the interest of Wanamalker that Marsh
should not come back TO Philadelphia. The
senator said ne had been IN communica-
ton with Marsh and that the latter would
probably soon come back and tell all he
knew about the looting OF the bank.
Mr. Wanamaker has been vigorously op-
posing the Republican state ticket and es-