The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-06
a WAS A DUPE OR FOOL"
BECKWlTH DECLARED.
He Told the story of the Notes
Which Aggregate 81 ESQ, 900.

-@-A $50 ANssNaC Fts~bOsVOOs
Cleveland, o., Dec. 5.--Seated in the
office of the United States District At
torney this afternoon, President C. L.
Beckwith of the failed Citizens Ma
tional Bank OF Oberlin, made a con-
fession regarding the banks transac-
tions with Mrs. Cassie l.. Chadwick.
Mr.. Beckwith said:
II am either an awful dupe or a
terrible fool. 1 ENess there is no doubt
about my being a fool. l know
have done wrong. and although crush
ed to the earth myself. l do not pro-
pose to be made a scapegoat to shield
the sins OF others. The truth is that
others also must be called to the bar
to answer for their part in this ter
rlble affair. and one of those whose
answer must be had is Mrs. Cassie
l.. Chadwick.
The banker spoke I'm broken SEN
tences and tears we're streaming from
his eyes. His acquaintance with Mrs.
Chadwick hegan three years ago. The
attorneys for Herbert d. Newton, the
BroolSline, Mass. banker, have stated
that their client loaned Mrs. Chadwick
money only after a note signed, AN
drew Carnegie" had been Endorsed by
the president and cashier OF a national
bank. The men who indorsed the note
were President Beclrwith and Cash
Ter Spear of the Citizens National
Bank of Oberlin, o.
Relating this matter. Banker Beck
with continued his story OF the banks
transactions with Mrs. Chadwick as
follows:
Another for 100000.
Eyes, we indorsed the note in addi-
tion to one other note for $500. .000 but
never for the purpose for which they
were used"
"Do you mean to say that there are
two 100000 notes in addition to the
note for $25O,O0O?" was asked Mr.. Beck
with
Yes, notes aggregating $1,250000."
1T has not been generally UNDER
stood that there were two notes for
$500,O00" was suggested.
1T know II, l know it; but the notes
exist just the same" said Mr.. Beck
with. "One of them is in the hands
OF the receiver and the other ought to
be In the hands of Mrs. Chadwick. II
she has disposed of It, she has done
something which she swore she would
not do. So please make IL plain that
q 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,"
said He Was Carnegie's Attorney.
'Mr. Beckwith. to correct any
wrong impression would il not be wise
for you to state how Mrs. Chadwick
Induced you to place your signature
upon the note?
my God, would like to IL I thought
II would make It clear. To tell the
story would be to tell the tale Of
torture and transactions covering a
period OF over a year. / cannot tell
the story before / go on the witness
stand. / must seek advice"
did you have the slightest sus-
picon 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 u.s. But we 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-hls
special agent. He vouched for the
correctness Of the claims made by
Mrs. Chadwick. In every way we at
tempted to make certain that we were
engaged in a legitimate business tran
saction."
snid Securities Were Locked Up.
How about the attest held by Ira
Reynolds; did you see him?" Mr.. Beck
with was asked.
"Yes. many times, and what did we
understand? We understood every
word that everything was all right
and that genuine securities were lock-
ed up in the vaults Of the Wade Park
Bank. I don't know now. Why don't
somebody find out: that Is the ques-
tiOn: why don't somebody find out?
Just now / can see back 10 the first
time / came 20 know Mrs Chadwick
IN a business way. IL was something
over a year ago that I learned that
w. $. Fay and Henry Wurst Of Elyria
had had some dealings with Mrs. Chad
wick. They were known as ahrewd
business men. ] began 10 inquire, for,
As business man, / wanted 10 exert
every effort 20 turn an honest dollar
] guess my inquiries reached the ears
~ Mrs. Chadwick. AZ any rate. she
came 10 Obcfiln. and Il was there the
thing began. ! began looking for le-
Ultimate business. Mrs Chadwick?
Well. you must Judge fDf yourself
second interview, and ! made small
loan. n was promptly met. in addis
lion W. secured considerable splendid
business
"From there on ibe story lead Into