The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-19
POLITICIANS RUIN
ALLEGHENY BANK
Cashier a Suicide Because Of
Pennsylvania Machines
... r Vaccinations.
PISTOL SHOT BARES
&C. POLITICAL SCANDAL
State Money in Bank Now Closed
Because of Railroad
Speculations.
Journal Special Service.

Speculations.
Journal Special Service
Pittsburg, Oct. 19.-Knowing that
the Enterprise National bank Of Ale
gheny was on its last legs, caused large
ly by the Vaccinations of the repub-
lican state machine; realizing that moth
ing but disgrace faced the institution,
into which hundreds Of innocent peo-
pie and a dozen or more prominent state
politicians would be dragged, T. Lee
Clark, cashier of the institution, shot
himself thru the head yesterday morn
ing and died late in the day.
Five hours after the shooting the
doors Of the bank, one Of the oldest
and considered one of the most reliable
in Allegheny county, were closed by
order of the controller of the currency
at Washington.
It was the first scene of one of the
most remarkable political sensations
that has stirred this state, and in which
the complete rottenness Of the state
treasury was laid bare. -.
Castles Charges Proven.
The closing Of the bank follows
quickly after the charges made against
it by Homer L. Castle, prohibition can
didate for superior court judge, who
alleged that the bank was Carrying
practically worthless stocks which had
been deposited by state politicians for
personal loans.
When advised Of the statements made
by the president of the Enterprise
bank, that the closing of the doors was
due to the loaning Of state money to
politicians, Mr.. Castle said:
~ am sorry. The life of a good man
is a terrible price to pay for what has
gone on. We have been saying that
these conditions existed, but we could
not get behind the bank doors. Now a
pistol shot has opened them and reveals
| paralyzing conditions. Nobody knows
what will follow - s-....:,s;.s: s
State Officials Knew.
/ Last week State Ranking Commits
sioner John A. Berkey of Somerset anc
John w. Morrison, one of his deputies
visited the bank. They knew the con
dition it was in. Tuesday, in a des
perate effort to save the bank from
ruin, State Treasurer Matthew sent al
additional deposit Of state funds
amounting to $4,000 which made thu
total amount of state funds in the banl
$4,000. This fact was admitted by
Frederick Gwinner, president Of tn
bank, after the suicide and the closing
of the bank. "
| Blow to the Machine. ...:
| It is conceded by all that the expos
deals one of the hardest blows eve
dealt the rock-ribbed republicanism o:
Pennsylvania. .--@--
Clark was associated as treasurer
with former State Senator W. H. An
drews and Francis j. Torrance, who
according to President Gwinner, wer
borrowers of the bank, in the Santa F
Central Railway company, incorporate
in New Mexico in 1891. The stock o
the corporation has never been mai
keted. This road was built by Andrew
and Torrance. Cashier Clark was ais
heavy investor, in Mexico and Ne
Mexico silver mining stocks, accordin
to Mr.. Gwynner.
Former State Senator Andrews is
brother of Wesley Andrews, Unite
States Senator Penrose's private seer
9 tary, and chairman of the republica
f state committee.
8 At the last election Mr.. Andrews W,
/ elected as delegate from New Next
/ in congress, and it is said he aspires
? be senator from New Mexico when tn;
{ territory is admitted to statehood. "A
q tho Mr.. Andrews is now delegate fro
g New Mexico, he retains a residen'
a here.
j Their Railroad Deal.
- ~ These men were in several lar,
. deals. Ono of them was the selling
railroad property to the Santa Fe roa
q The option which, if closed, meant
, fortune to each Of those named, W
g not taken up by the Santa Fe people
- Saturday, but was allowed to expire.
The Enterprise bank, it appears, h;
- backed this deal heavily, and when
q The bank had been carrying, accordil
- to the best information received, abo
9 $780, 900 in paper Of Pennsylvania pc
Is ticians. Among this was 100000 f
Andrews and others on the Santa
deal.
= Disaster Was Expected.
g The disaster to the Enterprise ba,
r was expected in certain quarters. Pla
Il state funds were laid weeks ago. \
e Clark was cognizant of this and talk
II over the matter with several Of the
+. rectors few days ago.
II The cashier was told by the directt
G. he would have to meet the paper oh
% cations of the institutions negotiat
t thru him, and he promised to insure t
responsible. The superstition is he "
unable to accomplish this, and feari
the consequences, took his life.
II Altho bank directors only ackno7
y edge having 100000 Of the state fun
$. the assertion was made by one Of
!, bank officials that the Enterprise b
" more than $l,00O,000 state money
h. deposit before the extensive loans W,
lie made. According to this official,
n this money is insured by bonds of t
&c Mercantile Trust company of Pit
D. burg and the United States Fidelity
Trust company of Baltimore
: Penrose Moved to Talk.
70 Philadelphia, Oct. 19.-senator P.
II rose was asked last night how he
n counted for the failure Of the Ent
er prise National, in Allegheny.
n 90 do not know ANYTHING about it
IS he answered I did not even know
r had failed. don't owe that bank
IS dollar. don't know a thing abo
/ that bank or its failure.