The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-06
BONDSMEN GIVE
UP CASPER ERNST
Continued From First Page.

will be very far in excess of his as
sets.
While people of all classes are said
to have been among his victims, Cath
Ollie priests appear to have been his
especial prey. He is said to have vic
timized them to the extent of many
thousand dollars
The most recent priest who had been
induced to intrust his savings to Mr..
Ernst for investment is New Yorker.
who permitted Mr.. Ernst to handle
$4,000 for MIN. Father Mayer, a New
Jersey priest, was induced to turn over
to Ernst for investment $4,000. of
which amount $4,000 is said to have
been returned.
His dealings were not confined to
priests alone, however" said an inter-
Northern Minnesota trusted him with
$4,000, and man at Prairie du Chen,
Wis., is a victim to the extent of $19,-
600. There appears to be no end to his
victims, and there is no way of telling
at this time when the amount of his
alleged embeZZlements will stop grow
ing. 1t is one of the worst cases which
has come to light in the West in many
years"
acting as a banker and an investment
broker he is said to have gained the
confidence of many persons, and his
promise of 8 per cent interest upon in
vestments was an alluring one.
His plan of operation is said to have
been nothing more than a "get-rich-
quick scheme"
1t is charged by those who have
investigated the matter that Ernst has
70
from people all over the country upon
his guarantee of a large rate of inter-
est.
Made No investments.
Instead of investing the money,
Ernst is said to have appropriated
most of it to other uses, being able to
pay the interest on sums already Dor
rowed by his ability to borrow more.
Out of the many thousands of dollars
which Ell INST is said to have secured for
investment, it is claimed that but a
small per cent of the amount has been
invested. He has bought few small
mortgages, but aside from these there
is said to be nothing to show for the
large amounts which have been in
trusted to him.
When these reports became known
Thomas J. Grace, who is a brother-in-
law of Ernst, notified the sheriff's office
that he desired to surrender as surety
on the bond.
The original amount which Ernst
was charged with having embezzled
was but 5000, and owing to the amount
being so small many people, knowing
the large amounts of money handled by
Ernst, were slow to believe that he was
guilty. Recent developments, however,
seem to substantiate the charges.
AS in the case of the original arrest
every effort was made to keep the fact
of the surrender of Mr. Ernst last
night by his bondsmen- a secret.
A trip to the county Jail resulted in
the information that Mr.. Ernst was
not there and that nothing was known
Of his arrest or the surrender of his
bond.
When the Ernst home on Summit
avenue was called up at II o'clock last
night, the information was given out
that Mr.. Ernst had retired for the
night and did not care to be disturbed.
Later, however, it was admitted at the
Ernst home that Mr. Ernst was I'M
der arrest, and that Deputy Sheriff
Hardick was at the house for the pur-
pose of guarding him.
Allowed to Sleep at Home.
1t was at first decided to confine
Ernst in a cell at the county Jail, but
his pleas to Deputy Sheriff Hardick to
be permitted to remain at his own
home under guard were not unavail-
ing, and the night was spent at the
Ernst home.
Mr.. Ernst will be brought into court
this morning, and will be given an OPP
to furnish new bond. He
expressed the opinion last night that
he would have no trouble in securing
new bondSmen
Some days ago Mr.. Ernst turned over
to Attorney j. D. O'Brien trust deeds
for the Ernst building, Fifth and Wa
basha streets, and for the Exchange
building on Wabasha street. Mr..
O'Brien was empowered to collect all
of the rents, pay creditors as far as
possible and sell the property if
suitable price was offered.
Mr.. O'Brien, when seen by T h e
G l o b e last night, said he had heard
but little of the most recent develop
ments in the matter, and he was not
to say what would be done
until he had further acquainted himself
with the facts in the case.
"Only few moments ago ] was no
titled by telephone that Mr.. Ernst had
been surrendered by his bondsmen,"
said Mr.. O'Brien. Il was somewhat
surprised and cannot say what effect
it will have upon a settlement with
creditors if the stories which are cur
rent tonight prove to be true"
Inquiry at the Ernst home developed
the fact that Mr.. Ernst had no state
ment to give out.