Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-24
Makes Blank Denial of Knowing
ly Making a False Entry in
Bank Books.
DONE AT LEWlS'S DlRECyy A
yross-Examination OF F.. t Show
ed That $4,000 was g dded on
a
Alleu's Book before - hum En-
tered Directors Confess Pro-
found Ignorance Of Affairs.

Rutland, April 23.--The third day of the
rial OF John W. Ketchum for alleged COM
3licity in wreckng the Farmers National
bank OF Nergenncs was by far the most
Interesting and eventful thus far. The dc
renee in cross-eXamininG +. 5. Platt, a
government witness, ascertainod that at
'ast $4,000 had been padded on Martin +.
Aliens account in Cashier Lewiss hand
writing before the respondent came to the
bank. The president and two directors oil
the bank testified that they knew nothing
of its weak condition until it was
closed by government employees. President
Dunshee was subjected to a rather stun
cross-eXamnaton by Attorney Brown.
The prosecution rested its case about
noon to-day and the defense moved to dis
miss three indictments against ketchum
The motion was overruled. The respond
ent was the first and only witness lot tne
defense to-day, occupying the stand all the
afternoon His testimony was interesting
and somewhat unfavorable in spots to eX-
Cashier Lewis. The apparent intention of
the defense is to show Ketchum as tho in
nocent tool of Lewis, who is now serving
"a seven year sentence on a plea of guilty.
Eotchum told much about the inside work.
.ngs of the bank and will continue his tes-
timony tomorrow.
When the court came in at 900 o'clock,
F. S Piatt of Poultney, whose cross-eX-
animation was apparently concluded Tues
day night was recalled for few questions
by Attorney Cushman. Mr.. Platts ans
wers showed that in his preceding testi-
mony regarding the condition of Governor
Aliens account there were several IN
stances where thousands of dollars were
apparently added to the account which he
had not mentioned. The witness said in
his examination. he simply paid attention
to false entries where amounts on the
journal were padded or decreased on the
ledger or when checks were recharged on
the journal.
He said one Of the amounts mentioned
by Attorney Cushman was forced directly
on the ledger and not posted from an entry
on the journal. This was an item of s., oco
There were others also where amounts on
the journal when posted on the ledger were
enlarged, to the extent of from 500 to $1,000
by the affixing of the figure az to the
amounts. 1t was shown that outside the
padding heret ofore testified to in Governor
Aliens account, at least 5000 more was
forced on the banks books in the lieuten-
ant governors favor. THE effect OF this"
said Mr.. Platt, would be to increase Gov
crnor Aliens apparent credit"
Hc further said that the banks cash
was settled from the journal and when
false entries were made directly on the
individual ledger. the items would not he
taken into consideration when settling
these false entries. amounting to 5000,
were made. Mr. Plat said: THE hand
writing of Mr.. Lewis if / remember cor
recently" After examining the entries in
question he repeated. lit is the handwrit-
ing of David II. Lewis
In response to Mr.. CushmanS s inquiries,
he said such entries on the credit side of n
mans account would Offset without injury
TO the account. that amout of recharged
checks on the account. Mr.. CuShman
asked: "Thore was no rechecking of
checks before February 10, 1899, was
there"
None"
According to your testimony $4,000 had
come into Governor Aliens account before
one of these checks had been disturbed or
Techarged?'
Mr.. Cushman brought out the fact that
Mr.. Tlatt's testimony on the preceding day
did not include these amounts and then
asked:
You are at present the attorney of Gov
Alcn?'
yes, sir"
And this investigation was made by you
in that capacity"
"Soey."
Witness said the footings on the book in
question We're 50 far as he knew in Lewis's
handwriting. lie was then asked: "What
would be the effect on a shortage if one
existed in the bank by his manipulations?
The books would show larger short
age than before these additions were made
The footings of the individual balances
would be increased. 1t would appear that
the hank had more money than was really
true
Would using the $4,000 additional credit
affect the amount Of checks and other
charges used to increase the charges
against Governor Alen?'
"rhey would reduce any $4,000 over.
charges"
Asked further regarding the s4.OO false.
ly entered on Governor Aliens credit, Mr.
Tlatt stated: The entries were not in thu
handwriting of Mr.. Ketchum.'
The district attorney then examined ths
witness in regard to the checks drawn by
Mr.. Allen or the bank. Witness said thu
FIRST recharging of Aliens checks occurred
March u. 1893, and the last September p
1000. Mr.. Allen drew 6S checks of which
there was no other of the same amour
existing. In concluding his testimony, af
ter brief supplementary examination b,
MIR. Cushman, the witness said the in
creased amounts were shown on the mai
vidual accounts only and when the checks
were recharged 1t was done in posting then
from the journal to the general ladser
The government put in the Allen anc
Qunlan cancelled checks as part of it
evidence and the Allen check stubs, abou
81 books of which were in Mr.. Patt's pos
session. The checks We're in an enormous
MIR. QUINLAN TEsTIFIEs.
At 1915 o'clock Mr.. Platt wa succeede,
by Joseph j. Quinlan of Charlotte, VIII
told of his business connection with tn
bank and of his methods of drawin
checks. He said all his checks and stub
on the bank had been turned over by hin
TO that institution and he now though
they were in the possession of Mr.. Plat.
did you keep your check stubs wit
numbers?" he was asked.
mo, sir" was the reply.
"Could you match up, yourself, tn
checks and stubs?"
II could very Closely
Have you drawn checks and not enter
ed them on the stubs?"
Il think I have"
80 your stubs do not show the actua
number of checks drawn"
'No."
'There We're more checks than stubs?"
''Very likely"
1.-THE only way you could match theT
then would he by matching the names an
dates?'
Yes, SIR
Later MIR. Quinlan said he OCCASIONAL