The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-24
Former President of Missouri Ma
tional Bank of Kansas City
Is Pardoned by Roosevelt.
HAS SERVED THIRTY MONTHS.
Was Convicted of Misapplying
Credits of Institution Which
Failed in 1S96-Ten Other
Christmas Pardons.

Washington, Dec. 2S.-President Roose-
welt has extended Christmas cheer in the
form Of executive clemency to eleven con.
victs. He has also granted four pardons
to restore civil rights. Thirteen applica-
tons were denied. The pardons include
the following cases from the Southwest
To take effect December q. David Rie-
ger, who was convicted in Kansas City
of misapplying certain credits of the Mis-
souri, National Bank of Kansas City, OF
which he was president. He was con-
victed in 1889 and sentenced to imprison-
ment in the Missouri Penitentiary for six
years.
Richard Freyer was convicted in the
Eastern District of Arkansas of forgery
in connection with homestead entries and
sentenced to two terms Of Imprisonment
for fifteen months each and to pay a fine
of $1,000. He has now served one Of the
terms Of Imprisonment and is able to pay
a fine Of $500, and upon payment of said
fine will be released.
Charles Yeager was convicted in the
Western District Of Texas of robbing a
Postmaster and putting his life in jeop-
ardy and sentenced in 1856 to life impris-
onment In the Southern Illinois Penlten-
tiairy. Communication to expire December
"a is granted. because the prisoner was
merely boy at the time OF the offense
and has been Imprisoned for more than
nineteen years.
The sentence of Charlie George, convict
ed in the Indian Territory of burglary
and larceny and sentenced to imprison-
COMMITTED to expire December "a is the
sentence of John Vinita, convicted in the
Northern District of the Indian Territory
to Imprisonment for five years in the Fort
Leavenworth Penitentiary.
COMMITTED to expire December 81, 1893,
Is the sentence Of Nose Davis, convicted
sentenced in September. 1898. to imprison-
ment for eleven years in the Fort Leaven-
worth Penitentiary.
RIEGR CASE.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Kansas City, Mo-, Dec I'D. v. Rieger.
the wrecker of the Missouri National
Bank. pardoned by President Roosevelt
has been In the Missouri Penitentiary since
June 4, 1901
He was sent there to serve a sentence of
six years imposed by Judge Adams Of the
1899, and for two years his case was pend
ing on an appeal. Public feeling was bit
ter against Rieger.
The Supreme Court affirmed the decision
Rieger went to the Penitentiary alone and
introduced himself to the Warden. He
was an expert bookkeeper and was made
clerk at the Penitentiary.
.Rieger was president Of the Missouri Ma
tional, which failed November 80. 1886.
When the final failure came, Rieger was
very positive the bank would pay out, but,
after national bank examiner had care
fully examined the assets. 1t was found
that the bank was in worse condition
than expected, and the bank examiner
was the cause of criminal charges being
preferred against Rieger. The bank had
capital Of $250000 and deposits Of s. 25o.-
900. Under the recelvership the depositors
were paid "a per cent
Coupled with the Rieger case from its
beginning is a story of a wife's devotion.
II is perhaps owing to his wife that Mr..
Rieger is q free man. Friends of Mr..
Rieger know with what persistency and
fortitude Mrs. Rieger visited Washington
and importuned the President for her hus-
bands pardon. She secured thousands Of
personal letters from prominent men all
over the State and neighboring States
who had known her husband or were
familiar with his misfortune and laid them
before the President at Washington.
Rieger will go back to Kansas City to
engage in business. but as yet has no
plans.