The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-11
Mr.. WILLARD CONE
Star Witness In Grimes Case is
Sent Away.
State Treasurer Procured a
Pass For Him.
HE TOLD THE STORY.
Claimed That He Would Have
Revealed the Inside.
Now In Missouri Beyond Reach
of Summons.
HE TOLD THE STORY.

The prosecution in the case against
Frank Grimes processes to be able to
show that Frank Willard has made a
statement to the effect that he person
ally paid Mr.. Grimes the interest money
on state funds, and an effort will be
made to also prove that Mr.. Grimes,
personally, procured the transportation
upon which Mr.. Willard rode out of
town the Santa Fe.
1t is charged today that Mr. Grimes
Superintended the departure of Mr.
Willard from the city, because the tes-
timony which Willard would give would
be damaging to him
This Crimes laughs at and pretendS
that there is no truth in the statements
OF his connection with Wizards de-
parture- But the prosecution seems to
be very confident Of establishing these
facts when the taking of dispositions be
gins
There are two interpretations Of the
connection of Mr. Willard with this
The first. which was circulated last
night, is TO the effect that Mr.. Willard.
who for many years was cashier of
the Merchants National bank told of
his dealing with Mr.. Grimes to Frank
L Brown and H. ]. Bone. assistant
United States attorney for Kansas.
Mr.. Willard is quoted as having said
to these men that he responded to a call
for a meeting with Mr.. Grimes made
by the state treasurer, and at this con-
ference agreed TO pay Mr. Grimes = per
cent for the use of the state money left
in that bank
As told by man who claims to have
reliable Information, MT Willard said
TO Brown and Bone that he, personally,
at the expiration of each period of three
months, figured up the amount of money
due Mr.. Grimes and carried it to the
Office Of the state treasurer.
Then the story goes that Grimes heard
Of the plan to serve notice for a depo-
sition on Willard. 1t is said that from
the Topeka club Mr.. Grimes sent for
the transportation which Willard used
going out of Topeka the morning Of the
day upon which the prosecution had
elected to have him summoned for the
purpose of giving testimony Saturday.
But Mr. Willard is out of the reach of
the process OF the district court, and
unless he can be induced to return his
testimony VIII not at this time be avail
able.
The other story. as told by friends of
Mr.. Grimes, is that Bone and Brown at
tempted TO extract from Willard an ad-
mission that he had paid Grimes. but
that Willard had denied any such re
latiOns with the treasurer
The connection of Mr.. Willard in the
case was responsible for the officers of
the Merchants bank being the first sum
moned for testimony The prosecution
evidently believes in the theory that
Willard first made the arrangement with
Grimes on the part of the bank. and
that the present mana cement of the
bank has continued the payment to the
treasurer.
Whatever may be the circumstances
surrounding this incident in the case, the
prosecution seems confident of obtaining
from the officers of the Merchants Ma
tionaI bank depOsitiOns which will sus-
tain the petition filed in the suit for re-
covery.
W A L. Thompson, president of this
bank and F. w. Freeman, cashier. would
not deny in an interview Ter publication
that money had been paid to Grimes, but
they were careful to say that no money
had been paid to Mr.. Grimes as interest
on daily balances"
Mr.. Thompson and Mr. Freeman will
tell the truth on the witness stand said
one of the attorneys representing the
prosecution today, ''and we will prove by
them. we think. that the bank has paid
Grimes. personally or through a third
party. money for the use of the state
funds"
As the petition contains no reference
to daily balances it is held by the
prosecution that the officers of the bank
answered correctly when they claimed
no interest had ben paid on daily bal
ances-''
The prosecution is confident of prov
ing the case which has been brought,
but until the taking of dispositions be
gins, only gossip and speculation is avail
able.
An effort is now being made to divert
the attention from Treasurer Grimes to
Cyrus Leland by claiming that Leland
tion now before the people is not wheth-
er Mr.. Leland or some one else instigated
this suit but Did Mr.. Grimes get the
money!"
Grimes