The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-08
CASPER ERNST HAD
A METEORIC CAREER
Fifteen Years Ago He Was a
PenniIess Clerk He Still
AbideS i'm Jail.

While it is long step from a lux
uriously furnished home on aristocratic
Summit avenue to cell in the county
Jail Casper Ernst, the Napoleon of
finance who so recently took it, is APP
pareltly as much as ease in the latter
place as he was when surrounded by
his family and servants in his exclu-
SiVe home
Unable to secure bondsmen to the
extent of $4,5O0 the banker whites
away the hours in the most comfort
able manner possible under the cir
eumstances.
Exclusive even now, he occupies a
cell in a department of the jail which
he has all to himself, and in his little
domain he passes away the time read
ing the newspapers and smoking the
most fragrant of cigars.
Mr. Ernst's appetite for the delica-
oies of the season is not to be disap-
pointed, regardless of the fact that he
is a prisoner at the county bastile.
Three times each day a waiter, at
tired in immaculate linen, serves the
prisoner with his meals, and they are
the best which can be had at one OF
the most exclusive cafes in the city.
While the prisoners over in the main
section of the building are using their
hands to wipe the dregs of their black
coffee from their lips, Mr. Ernst might
be seen using finger bowl of cut
glass, or scratching match with
which to light fragrant cigar.
Wine Is Cut Out.
Despite the fact that he is a prisoner
this financier lives fully as we'll as
was his custom before his arrest, eX
cept that he is not permitted to have
wine served with his meals at the Jail.
Contrary to what might naturally be
supposed, Mr.. Ernst is not late sleep
er; in fact, he is one of the first of the
prisoners in the county Jail to arise in
the morning.
Since his confinement he has made it
his custom to arise before o'clock, and
the first request he makes is for the
morning papers. While his breakfast
is being prepared, the banker carefully
reads what the papers have to say, es-
peciaily anything which has bearing
upon his own case
Following breakfast, he devotes his
time to reading magazines and other
literature, with which he has been pro-
vided, and this couples his time until
lunch with the exception of the time
he deVotes to callers.
His callers, however, must have
some good reason for seeing him, or
he will not receive them. His attor-
neys or members of his family, as well
as very few personal friends, have
access to his cell, but word has been
left with the deputies in charge of the
Jail that no newspaper reporters are
to be permitted to see him under any
circumstances
Ernst Has Nothing to Say.
statement to give out and he has no
desire to discuss his multiplying trou--
bles with newspaper reporters.
Despite the fact that his troubles are
growing with each day. the prisoner
still puts on a bold front and declares
IN a sarcastic manner that all will be
right in the end. In the face of the
many serious rumors which are af1oat,
Mr. Ernst laughs and says he has
nothing to confess.
There is nothing to it," is the man
ner in which he dismisses the subject,
and aside from denial of this nature,
he absolutely declines to discuss his
affairs.
Friends of Ernst yesterday contin-
ueo their efforts to secure bondsmen
Tor him, but were unsuccessful, and
the banker spent another night in his
cell.
While Mr.. Ernst languishes in Jail
MS business affairs are becoming more
entangled each day.
May Owe $25o,ooo.
1t is now believed that he is involved
to the extent of almost a quarter of q
million dollars
Ii 1t is true that Mr.. Ernst conducted
ms business affairs in the manner in
Which it has been charged, there is no
telling how deep he is in the mire I'M
III all of his creditors are heard from.
AS new ones are coming to light every
DAY, 1t is believed there are more who
have not yet been heard from at all.
Owing to the fact that his dealings
were with people located in different
parts of the country, from New York
10 San francisco, it may be months be-
lore the entire truth of his alleged
populations becomes known.
Many of the cases which have al
ready come to light were not disclosed
by means of any records kept by Mr.
Ernst, but by reason of the publicity
given them by the parties who intrust-
ed their money to this financier for in
vestment.
There have already been disclosed
Liabilities which, in the aggregate.
amount to more than $23O,O00, in COM
parlson to which his assets amount to
mere trifle.
Some of the known creditors of
Banker Ernst, together with the
amounts due them, are as follows:
List of Creditors.
Penn Mutual ms. Co. ........... Sic, 600
" lIilam II. Egan st. Paul ........ 10000
Father Meyer, New Jersey D, 900
Father Baart Marshall, Mich. 26' 900
Father Fraunt, Prairie du CHEN,
Wis Wis ........-.:., $4,000
Wis .:;................ $50
Tather Svhutz Sleepy Eye, MINI. $500
Tatnef SORES, 81. Paul. 1890. $500
Father Durren, Ipswich, S. D.. 500
Five priests of Scott. Lincoln,
Swift and Big Stone counties,
MINI ....::....... $4,000
Father Wurst. Brooklyn. N w. 5000
Father Colbert of ST Paul n,d '