Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-11-04


HAS WANDERED OVER MUCH CT
THE WORLD-HAS LIVED IN THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR
SEVERAL YEARS-CAME BACK
BECAUSE OF JOHN WANAMAK-
ERS PROMISE TO AID HIM.
Philadelphia, November 3.-Gideon
w. Marsh, the fugitive president of the
Keystone National Bank which col
lapsed on March 20, 1891, returned to
the city to-day after an absence of
over seven years, and surrendered
himself to his bondsman, VIM. H.
Wanamaker. The closing of the Key
stone Bank created a tremendous SEN
sation at the time and the develop
ments Immediately subsequent thereto
resulted in the sentencing to long
terms of imprisonment of John Bards-
ley, then city treasurer of Philadelphia
and Charles Lawrence, the cashier of
the bank. Both have now completed
their sentences.
Marsh was at the time of his disap-
pearance, May Is, 1891, under three in
dictments for violations of the bank
ing laws. Security in $4,000 had been
entered by VIM. H. Wanamaker for
Marsh's appearance at court. He sud-
denly fled from the city and Mr.. Wan
amaker was obliged to forfeit the
amount of the bail and it is asserted
that he expended fully $4,000 more in
an endeavor to ascertain the where
abouts Of the fugitive. Mr.. Marsh to-
day informed Mr. Wanamaker that he
went from here to Brazil, where he
remained several years and then came
back to the United States and located
in the State of Washington, where he
has been earning his living. He came
east a few days ago and spent yester-
day in New York. He came to Phila-
delphia to-day and went at once to
VIM. H. Wanamaker's office.
Late this afternoon Mr. Wanamak-
er accompanied Marsh to the office of
United States District Attorney Beck
and the latter at once turned the fugi-
tive bank president over to the Gus
tody of the United States marshal to
await hearing tomorrow morning
The proceedings before the District
Attorney were brief. This official
merely stated that several bench war
rants had been issued for Marsh and
on these warrants he would commit
him to the custody of the United States
marshal and a hearing would be given
the prisoner tomorrow. Marsh adj
mitted his identity but made no state
ment to the District Attorney and was
asked no questions.
Marsh in talking to friends who
called on him in the United States
marshals office before he was taken to
prison, said that in the more than sew
en- years Of his absence he has roamed
almost over the whole world and
worked for living at anything he
could get to do. When he left he had
with him 81 1856 which he had collect
ed from two friends who owed him
that amount. He went by circuitous
route to Brazil and afterward travelled
from place to place all over the world.
He then 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 scandal. Mrs.
Marsh, by the way, obtained a divorce
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
it became generally known late in the
day, became almost the sole topic Of
conversation on the street, at the ho-
tells and clubs, and in fact in all cir
Giles. Not the least interesting part of
the discussion was in reference to the
effect the sudden appearance of the
bank president would have in political
circles.
The name of the fugitive has fire.
quentIy been mentioned in the utter
ances of speakers at political mass
meetings in the present furiously ex-
citing campaign and Marsh has par
ticularly been the subject of heated
controversy between United States
Senator Penrose and John Wanna
maker. In a speech few weeks ago
Senator Penrose intimated that John
Wanamaker prior to the failure of the
keystone bank had knowledge of an
over-issue of banks stock and know
ledge of a demand made by President
Marsh on City Treasurer Bardsley for
an additional denosit of CITY funds
He (Peurosel said it was 10 the inter-
est of Wanamaker that Marsh should
not come back TO Philadelphia. The
Senator said he had been in commune
cation with Marsh and that the latter
would probably soon come back and
tell all he knew about the looting of
the bank
On October H. q few nights after
the sneech of Senator Penrose accus-
ing Wanamaker Of having inside know
ledge Of the keystone hank affairs. the
latter delivered sneech at the Acade-
nv Of Music. He denied the truth Of
Senator Penrose's statements and cal
led mon him to hasten the return OF
rFarSh. = the senator in any wav could
do so. He said he would like the truth
to he told abort the Keystone bank
matters and said none could clear ND