The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-11
LwOCANSPORT is WISE
ONLY A FEW PERSONS HAVE FOR
GIVEN JOHN f. JOHNSON.
Former Bank Examiner Caldwell
Says TOwnspeOpIe Have Been
Misrepresented.

THE report from Logansport that ex-
Banker John F. johnson, lately pardoned
from the penitentiary by President McKin-
ley. possesses the confidence of his fellow
citizens and contemplates engaging in the
banking business, is incorrect" said eX-
National Bank Examiner George b. Cald-
we'll, Yesterday. Mr.. Caldwell was national
bank examiner at the time of the failure of
the State National Bank. which resulted in
Johnson being convicted of violations of
the national banking law and being SEN
fenced TO ten years Imprisonment. At pres
ent Mr.. Caldwell is a travelling representa-
tive of the municipal bond house of f. II.
Rollins & Sons. Boston, and in the pursuit
Of his business has recently visited a num-
Der of Indiana cities, among others Lo-
gansport. He talked with many people who
are cognizant of the sentiment of the COM
munity towards Johnson and says it is
quite at variance with the idea conveyed by
published reports.
The impression hat Johnson possesses
the confidence of the people of Logans-
port, 3" said Mr.. Caldwell, lis held only by n
few people who lost nothing by Johnson's
misdoings and who not realize the nature
and extent of his crime. l talked with many
OF the business men OF ~Logansp0rt and
found the prevailing opinion to be that Mr..
Johnson would try TO make his living i'm the
hardware business owned and heretofore
conducted by his wife. The debts he owes
to the State National Bank and TO many
people who were not depositors in that in
stitution are Just as much obligations
aginst him to-day as they ever were. When
he Attempts to belittle his defalcation by
charging a part of II 10 his dead father he
incurs the resentment of the friends OF the
dead man. who declare that his estate was
perfectly solvent when he died and when
his son John +. johnson became his sue
cessor. These conditions will preclude
Johnson from ever again engaging in the
banking business in L~ogansport.
"Johnson's pardon continued Mr.. Cald-
we'll. was no doubt due to the perSever-
ing efforts OF his faithful wife, and TO the
fact that the shareholders of the State Ma
tional Bank. together with the loyal citi-
i'm establishing the City National Bank. and
thus saving depositors and other business
interests from large losses that would have
followed a receivership. To my personal
knowledge the shareholders of the State
National Bank lost over $500. 600. after de-
secured from Johnson. In addition. 500. 600
OF new capital was obtained from citizens
of Logansport and old stockholders for the
new bank which assumed the assets and
debts OF the defunct Institution.
y credit for this, however, is due 10
used II in his behalf i'm securing his par
don. ! hope Mr.. Johnson will prove a model
citizen and succeed in whatever business
he may engage. but the good people of Lo-
Eansport are not without a sense of Justice
and a proper regard for honesty, and | do
gage In banking on his own account he
would have many depositors even from
those who signed the petition asking for
his pardon