The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-06

be made a scapegoat to shield the sins
of others. Further concealment of the
truth cannot help anyone. If
thought it would, my lips would re-
main sealed as though 1 had been
struck dumb. The truth is that others
also must be called to the bar to an
swer for their part in this terrible af-
fair and one of those whose answer
must be had is Mrs Carrie L. Chad
wick
The banker spoke in broken SEN
tences and tears were streaming from
his eyes. His acquaintance with Mrs.
Chadwick began three years ago. The
attorneys for Herbert D. Newton, the
Brookline Mass, banker. have stated
that their client loaned Mrs. Chadwick
money only after a note signed AN
drew Carnegie had been indorsed by
the president and cashier of a national
bank. The men who indorsed the note
were President Beckwith and Cashier
Spear of the Citizens National bank of
Oberlin, o.
Relating this matter, Banker Beck
with continued his story of the bank s
transactions with Mrs. Chadwick as
follows:
Eyes, we indorsed the note. in addi-
ton to one other note for $5o0,O0O,
but, o God, never for the purpose Tor
which they were used"
do you mean to say that there are
two 100000 notes, in addition to the
note for $250.000?" was asked Mr..
Beckwith.
Yes, notes aggregating $3.50, 900"
''It has not been generally under
stood that there were two notes for
$5OO,OoO." was suggested.
81 know it, know it, but the notes
exist, lust the same" said Mr.. Beck
with. zone of them is in the hands of
the receiver and the other ought to be
in the hands of Mrs. Chadwick. If she
has disposed of it, she has done some
thing which she swore she would not
T11R a.
solemn oath was taken that the notes
which bear our Endorsement were
never to be used by Mrs. Chadwick for
the purpose of raising money, and she
knew it,
Mr.. Beckwith. to correct any
wrong impression would it not be wise
for you to state how Mrs. Chadwick
induced you to place your signature
upon the notes ?''
MY God, I would like to, if
thought it would make it clear. To tell
the story would be to tell the tale of
torture covering a period of over a
year. To tell it would take a good half
day and in my terrible condition can
not attempt the task. l cannot tell the
story before 1 go on thewitness stand.
1 must seek advice"
the bankers affairs. he leaped from
the couch where he had been lying
down and paced around the room for
composure. When he had controlled
What will they think of me at my
home town? Would to God I had
been the only dupe, instead of feeling
the weight of condemnation from hun
dreds of depositors, whose earnings
have been swept away
Did you have the slightest sus-
picion that the notes carrying the
name of Andrew Carnegie were not
genuine ?''
I'm heavens name, how could we
have had suspicion? Mrs. Chadwick
swore to both of us and one or more
witnesses that she personally saw Mr..
Carnegie sign his name to the notes
she placed before us. But said
that we must be sure. How are we to
know? The answer came in less than
two days when a New York attorney
appeared in Oberlin who said he was
the attorney of Mr.. Carnegie-his
special agent. He vouched for the cor
rectness of the claims made by Mrs.
Chadwick We had at least six con-
ferences with this lawyer, two in Ober-
lin and four in Cleveland. Perhaps
I am saying too much, but I must tell
something more. In every way he at
tempted to make certain that we were
engaged in legitimate business
transaction, the kind of a transa ction
4 business man would enter upon with
credit to himself"
How about the attest held by Irf
REYNOLDS? Did you seek him % Mr..
Beckwith was asked
Yes. many times, and what did we
understand? We understood by every
word that everything was all right and
that revenue securities were locked up
In the vaults of the Hyde Park bank
don't know Why don't somebody
find out? That is the question Why
don't somebody find out?
Just now can see back to the first
time came to know Mrs Chadwick in
a business way. You know I have never
in all this time been called a fool 1t
was something over a year ago that
learned that W. S. Fay and Henry
Wurst. of Elyria. had had some deal
ings with Mrs. Chadwick. They were
known as shrewd business men. be-
gan to inquire, for, as a business man,
| wanted to exert every effort to turn
an honest dollar. I guess my inquiries
the light of events of the last two
weeks. I guess Mrs. Chadwick was
greatly interested the moment she
learned that inquiries for business had
come to Oberlin, and it was there the
thing began 1 began looking for legiti-
mate business.
Mrs. Chadwick? Well you msst
Judge for yourself. A second interview
and I made a small loan. 1t was
promptly met. In addition, we Sc
cured considerable splendid business
and all transacted in a business way.
From there on the story leads into
a maze, the end of which wish to God
I could now see. It leads on down to
a time when l came to New York. In
my pocket 1 carried one of the notes
signed with the name of Carnegie. !
When I started, I had in mind an at
tempt to raise money on the paper to
put funds in the bank. When 1 got to |
New York my heart failed me, for i
told me that all was not
right. I came back home without
making any attempt to raise money
on the note, and now everywhere I
turn hear the whisper: Why did you
not reveal your suspicion?' What