Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-09-22
THE KEENER CASE.
Speculation about the Unfortu-
nate Affair.

What M. u. Post says Of It-His Book
he thinks could have had nothing to
do with 1.-THE book was intended
to point out the dangers of such cases
aud not to hatch up schemes to help
defraud business men.
The Wheeling News has some re
marks to make in reference to the
lamentable case of Major Keener and
its relation to the book written by
M d. Post which attracted so much
attention some time ago. Here is
the article from the News:
Readers of Melville Posts inter
esting book, .sThe Strange Schemes
of Randolph Mason" will remember
the story of Woodford's partner
The scene Of the story is laid in
Bridgeport, Harrison county, and it
relates a case in which brainy but
impecunious Fastener worked
Woodtord, cattle dealer, out of a
large sum of money in such a man
ner as to escape punishment. There
has developed recently case in Nor
gantown which is similar to Mr..
Posts story, and it is claimed by
some that the man involved took his
cue from the book Major j. L.
Keener is the Morgantown man, who
is alleged to have worked one of
Randolph Mason's schemes, and he
profited thereby to the extent of
$25,000
In the story of Woodford's part
ner man named William Harris
works the scheme to help his broth
er out of serious affair in which
he was in no wise to blame, although
the circumstances were against him.
Harris forms partnership with
West Virginia cattle man named
Woodford, and to bind the bargain
deposits his guarantee in the bank.
Harris induces Woodford to buy
heavily under the claim that prices
are about to rise. Woodford gives
Harris the money to go east and
buy. In day or SO he receives
word from Harris that the money is
lost. Woodford has Harris arrest
ed and applies to the governor Of
New York for an eXtradition Upon
the recommendation of the attorney
general the governor refuses to grant
the request, for under the law of
West Virginia Harris act was no
crime whether or not he did lose the
money. The property was general
partnership property and the money
taken was general partnership fund
subject to the check of either part
ner, Harris having also drawn out
the funds in the bank. The entire
transaction was civil matter, but
no crime.
In the main Major Keener's case
is the same. Then he went east
with the money to pay for the cat
tie, but while in transit claims that
he lost it all, and had nothing left.
September II card was received
from him by Morgantown parties
stating that he had lost the money.
The card fell into the hands of per-
sons directly interested in Keener's
affairs and they made an effort to
cover the amounts for which they
were indorsers of Keener's pa
pers. Upon application at the
county clerks office, it was
discovered that everything Keen
er owned in the way of reality,
had been transferred some time ago.
These deeds were dated May 4, but
were not left for record until Sept.
IL.
Deeds for his personal property
were made in favor of Keener's wife,
the property being transferred first
to one Breakiron, of Waynesburg,
and by him to Mrs. Keener.
Creditors have secured attach
ments but there appears to be moth
ing within reach, unless the deeds
for his property can be successfully
attacked, which will be tried, the
ground being taken that the deeds
were made with the intention of de-
frauding creditors. Even if the deeds
are declared illegal and not binding,
there will be less than ten per cent |
OF what Keener owes available.
Keener has been in the cattle bus
mess for years. His credit was gilt |
edged, and very frequently country
people selling him cattle accepted |
his notes with interest in preference
RI tba Gosh Ha hoe bac;dac th;c