The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-14
WENT TO BEAUMONT
AND STARTED BANK
Has Been indicted by the Grand jury
for Forging Several Papers-Com-
plant Is Also Made Before
U. S. Commissioner.

New Orleans. January IA special to
the Picayune from Beaumont. Texas,
says:
J. p. Withers, who was until December
81 president of the American National
Bank of this city, was today arrested by
deputy United States marshal at Kan
sas City on the charge of forgery.
Withers came here during the boom
that followed the discovery of oil. asso-
ciated several capitalists with him and
organized the American National Bank,
ne being made president of the bank. He
served in this capacity until the date
mentioned, when he was succeeded by
Mr.. B. r. Norvell of this city. When
Withers was displaced by Mr.. Norvell 1t
was rumored that the former president
had forged notes amounting 10 several
thousand dollars, using the name Of
prominent capitalists and business men
of Grayson County. Texas, where he had
been president of a bank for a time, be-
fore he came here. Mr.. Withers left the
city Immediately after his successor was
elected. and was heard from no more un-
til the news came that he had been ar
rested in Kansas City.
The Picayune correspondent called on
Hon.. D. H. Hardy who was attorney for
the bank to the time of the reorganixa-
ton on December 81 and asked hi about
the charge against Withers.
Forged Several Notes.
"He is charged with forgery OF the
following papers" Mr.. Hardy replied:
"W. H. Bean & Son. of Howe, Texas,
note for $6240: Howe Grain & Mercantile
Company, note for $500; Hirge Forbes
| Company of Sherman, Texas, sio.22s; Tom
| Everhart, Sherman. $1,000, also with forg.
| ing $4,000 worth of stock of the First Ma
tional Bank Of Howe in the name of Tom
| Everhart."
| Has he been indic.ed on charges OF
| forgery" was asked.
IT do not know further than am
informed so. 1 understand that he has
been indicted by the grand jury OF this
| county. l further understand that COM
| plant has been against him in these mat
ters before the United States commission
er here and that the commissioner issued
a warrant for withers arrest I also un-
derstand withers has been arrested at
Kansas City by the United States mar
shall"
Was Withers short to the bank?
"Yes, he was short in all about $s5, ,000
but he made this good in a way satisfac-
tory to the bank. The bank is in a strong
er condition now than BEFORE"
Mr.. B. r. Norvell, who succeeded With
ers as president of the bank, was seen,
but he said that he would rather not
make a statement concerning Withers
alleged crime. since they were said to
have occurred at a time prior to his con-
nection with the bank. He would say,
however, that Withers shortage to the
bank had been made good and that the
directors of the bank had concluded to
drop the matter but the examiner had
taken IL up.
Not a great deaI Of withers history
Is known here. He organized a bank at
Sherman, Tex about two years ago and
was made president Friction arose be-
tween Withers and the directors and a
new president was elected. He Is said
to have married the daughter OF
wealthy Chicago business man who is in
terested with the Barber Asphalt Com
pany.
Withers has been indicted by the JEFF
ferson County grand jury for forging the
papers mentioned by Mr.. Hardy. Com
plant has also been made against him
before the United States commissioner
here.
Released on Bond.
Kansas City, January 13.-J. p. Withers.
ex-president Of the American National
Bank of Beaumont, was arrested here
Saturday night at the home of a friend
by a deputy United States marshal from
Beaumont. He was taken to a hotel and
kept under guard all day Sunday. It is
understood that he was released today on
bond The utmost secrecy was observed
In the matter and nothing generally was
known Of the arrest here until the an