The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-03

There sat all yesterday in the United
States court before Judge Marshall an
aged. silver-haired man. on trial for
his liberty in the sundown of his life.
Once noted for his honor, integrity and
a long career of usefulness, he now de-
fends himself against criminal charges
from the prisoners dock.
Banker ]. NJ. Stout, ex-president oti
the Utah National bank, is confronted
by the government with the accusa-
ton Of false entries in reports made to
the comptroller of the treasury at
Washington, a charge that is serious,
for there have been thrown about ma
tlonal banks many safeguards and
stringent laws to protect depositors who
trust their all to other mems honesty.
But Notwithstanding Mr.. Stoutts
age and the nature of the charges
against him, he showed no signs of un-
easiness. His clean-shaven face, with
mobile features, giving him the appear
ance of typical Quaker, did not pre-
sent downcaSt look. He was impas-
sive and calm, except upon occasion
when some point of humor in the teS-
timony arose to make him smile. Then.
with others in the court room, lawyers
and spectators, WHO were little con-
cerned in the outcome of the case he
showed his appreciation of the point
He seems to rest contented in the be-
lief that he will be acquitted; he is not
worrying, or at least exhibits no trace
of worry, even under the strong charges
of Cashier Jones that he had commit
ted forgery, he maintained the same
even tenor. He sat close by his law
yers. Judges Dickson and Powers, and
at times whispered to them.
The attorneys for the defense, in their
argument to the court, their croSs-eX-
animation of the governments wit
nesses, and their full and immediate
grasp of every point. gave a splendid
exhibition of legal acumen.
Charges Against Stout.
Mr. Stout is charged with having
made false entries in a. report to the
comptroller of the currency, and with
having forged the name of J. II. Hedges
to a note for $3.50 tn mislead the gov
ernment bank examiner who was to
investigate the affairs of the Utah Ma
tional. There are two counts in the
indictment, the first of which alleges:
that said ]. NJ. Stout, so be-
ing president of said association, on the
10th day of August, in the said year
1898, within the city and district afore-
said, did unlawfully make and cause to
be made certain false entries in said re-
pOTl, So iudQe anu as alOrG-
said, that is to say, a false entry to
the effect that at the close of business
on said 18th day of July. in said year
1898, the amount then due said aSso-
citation from said ]. NJ. Stout was
$20, ,230.79, which said entry in said re-
port was made under the heading.
Loans exceeding the limit prescribed by
section 500 of the revised statutes. in
Guiding amounts which exceed thit limit
due from state and private banks and
bankers and was in words and figures
as follows: Stout, J. NJ. $50, 1903.
whereas. the amount then due said
Utah National bank from said Stout
was a different and much larger sum
of money. all of which was then and
there we'll known to him. the said
Stout. when he made and caused to br
made said false entry.
And the grand jurors aforesaid.
upon their oaths aforesaid. do furthe-
find and present: That the said J. NJ
Stout made and caused to be made
each and all of the aforesaid false en-