Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-09

and forgers in the big Unitel
= States penitentiary at Leaven-
worth, Kan, when Frank G.. Bige-
low, late president of the Milwaukee
First National bank of Milwaukee,
entered the grim institution to serve
his sentence Of ten years for misap-
propriating funds of the bank Yes
terday he was man of national rep
utation and honor-not only president
of the National Bankers association,
and power in business, but he had
influence in politics and the social
world. When Mckinley visited the
west Bigelow entertained the pres-
dent in his own home.
The social position of this financier
and the sum involved in his opera
tions render his case unique. For years
he was widely known as one of the
strongest men in the financial world
of the northwest. He was arrested on
April "a last, charged with having
embezzled 100000 of the funds Of his
bank. In a confession following his
arrest he admitted being a defaulter
to the extent of 81, 100000.
Later it was discovered that his
operations extended far beyond the
bank in which he served as president.
His downfall was said to be due to the
Gates corner in wheat, in which he
was heavily involved.
Today this man is a convict in pris-
on clothes, with a score of other bank
ers and men of affairs to keep him
company. All are men of breeding
and education, and doing time with
the worst lot of desperadoes and rob-
bers to be found in the country. That
so many men of lifelong reputation for
integrity and success should prove no
better than common criminals without
education or refinement is veritable
sensation in the respectable west.
How to Avoid Jail
Young men who have been told that
industry. thrift and close attention to
business would make them successful
are now receiving a new lecture on
how to keep out of jail Don't rob
your customers because you are rich
and respectable
1t was the journey of lifetime
when Mr.. Bigelow, the convicted
banker, after lunching with his daugh-
ter and son-in-aw in Milwaukee, took
the train for Leavenworth in charge
of United States Marshal Reed, whom
he has known from boyhood days.
Owing to delay the party was over
taken by. the notorious counterfeiter
Spectacle in charge of a. deputy mar
shal, and they went on together. the
banker providing all with sleeping
car berths on the Pullman train.
At nearly every station Bigelow saw
leading men of the town who had beer
his friends and associates in business
In passing through Iowa the bank
er's son wept bitterly, and SO the
journey continued until the new gov,
eminent penitentiary at Leavenwortt
was reached. The counterfelter with
his guard, headed the procession tC
the big grated door, For a moment
the banker hesitated under the frown.
ing archway and turned wistfullS
around to take his last view of the
outside world, green and beautiful il
the sunshine.
In the sallyport the deputy warder
told the banker where to deposit hil
travelling bag, then opened another
grated door and led the way into thu
prison yard. The son and brother whC
accompanied the banker We're not per
mitted to enter the office, where tn,
prisoners were searched. Bigelow haS
\ few articles of Jewelry-the counter
Nfeiter nothing.
AS the father disappeared through
the last barred door his son and broth
er stood as If tI'anshxed, watching un
til they vanished down the prison
yard The two men seemed in
trance, unable to realize that tn,
banker, who but yesterday dined tn,
president OF the United States, wa
now convict condemned to serve ,
ten years sentence with the despera