The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-14
Requests Creditors TO Give Him
Chance to Make Full
Restitution.
PLAN UNDER AMUSEMENT.
Given Until Friday 10 Present
Evidence of His Ability 10
Carry Out Scheme 10
Reimburse Losers.
REPCRLIC SPECIAL.

I REPURLIC SPECIAL.
st. Joseph, Mo-. Sept. i3-'i don't care
what you do with me- II YOU decide to al
low me to continue in business I will work
there all my lifc. All 1 want is so a
month TO feed the children-''
This was the statement OF W. II. IIar-
roun, the grain dealer who has confessed
to wholesale foreeries OF grain bulls. Il
his creditors at meeting this evening.
They were amazed at this because Of Ms
career during the last two years. but i,
made an impression
There IS a disposition on the part of
those who have claims against the Har-
roun Elevator Company OF which Mr.. HaT-
roun IS the head. to allow him TO effect a
settlement.
PROPOSES REIMBURSEMENT.
He has Informed them that he has
friends who will come TO his assistance
and that he will be able 10 paw thirty TO
forty cents on the dollar OF his large in
debtedness.
He said he would give notes payabI. in
1--WE years for the remainder OF his indebt-
edness.
He has been given until Friday 10 pre-
sent evidence OF his ability to carry out
his plans. II has been learned that. in ad-
dition to forging bills OF lading Harroun
used bogus warehouse receipts in hs
transactions. The St Joseph Board OF
Trade figured IN his transactions ind!-
rectIy.
While Harroun's influence with the
board made the St Joseph grain market.
II also helped him in his business. About
six months ago he insisted that the big
elevator which his company operates in
Elwood. Kas-. be made regular" and
while there was some opposition he had
his way, as he generally did.
Banks will loan money on warehouse re-
ceipts from elevators that were regular. .
AS they must be signed by the secretary
Of the Board OF Trade
RECORD OF FORGED PAPER.
Harroun kept record Of all the forged
paper outstanding. He usually went to his
CO early IN the day and left IL late at
night. When asked IL his brother and sis
ter knew OF his peculations. he said his
own secretary did not have an inkling OF
what was being done Harroun IS an
enigma to his creditors.
They say that they have met with many
men in somewhat similar transactions.
but with none who may be compared TO
him He does not deny his crime; docSn
deny that he knew he was perpetrating a
crime when he forged the bills OF IadinS
and warehouse receipts on which lie col
lected almost 81. 0oD.0Oo: he doesn't ask any
mercy from people whose money he has
stolen: he doesn't deny that he merits a
long term in the penitentiary: but he
quietly plays q trump card by coolIy in
forming his creditors that IL given q few
days time he will pay from 3e TO 20 per
cent of his Indebtedness. and IL left at lib
erty he will pay all OF II
ATTITUDE OF CREDITORS.
IL We brought action in court. civil or
criminal, the business would be ruined
said one OF the creditors We could not
hope to get more than a small percent of
our money. II such a course were pur-
sued" This seemed to be the general
feeling among the creditors
While they probably feel inclined to
prosecute Harroun. they do not wish to
make a pecuniary sacrifice in order to
send him to the Penitentiary. The
creditors will given Harroun a definite
answer Friday. In the meantime. the
business of the elevator company Is at a
standstill.
Prosecuting Attorney Gabbert stated to-
night that he was investigating the Har-
roun case. and il he found sufficient evil
dence he would prosecute Harroun regard
less OF the actions OF the creditors.