The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-27
WOMAN RAN The STOREY Co.
SOPHIE BECK'S BRAINS COUNTED
WHEN CRASH CAME.

She Gathered IN the AAaete ana flhihleu
Escape and Defence Of the Princi'
paIs-Was Marrin's Representative
on . Modest salary OF $500 Month.
PHILADELPHIA, March 2o.-It was learned
to-day that had Il not been for the astute-
ness Of Sophia Beck, the brains OF the syn
dictate that ran the Storey Cotton Com
pany and the Provident Investment Com
pany Of late lamented memory, Marin
and Latimer would probably be In prison,
Il was she who, in her offices in the Bourse
Building, planned the details for her escape
to Europe and also mapped out a vigorous
campaign for the defence Of any member
Of the syndicate unfortunate enough TO
fall into the laws clutches. She mort
gagged property controlled by the syndicate
right and left and 40 funded the money,
according TO the authorities, that it can
now be used in defence Of the alleged Of
tenders,
As result there are half a million dol
lars ready. Following this line, the re-
lease OF Stanley Francis, 1t IL expected
by his attorney, Henry J. Scott will be
accomplished to-day when George Mohatt,
the only one Of the directors OF the United
States Trust Company who did not resign
when the charges we're made against
Francis last week, will deposit as bail
$4,000 in cash and securities with trust
company to be named by the court. Francis
will then begin a fight for freedom.
Just how big factor Sophia Beck was
IN the career Of the Storey Cotton Com
pany was not realized until these details
developed. Those who know her as the
stenographer OF the Storey Cotton Com
pany say that she was just the kind OF
woman to play part In the romance or
business with equal fervor. She was born
in Charestown, Ill.,; went TO Chicago; left
there In February, 1900, in company with
Frank c. Marin; went TO San Francisco,
thence to New Orleans, where she lived
for some time. Two years ago the woman
arrived in Philadelphia. She had at odd
times been known a. Sophia Beck and
Estelle Collins.
When she got the job Of stenogTapher in
the Storey Cotton Company, acting as
Marrin's personal representative there,
1t " said, she took the name Of Estelle Col
Inns Her salary was the modest sum Of
$500 a month and on this she managed to
exist
It is said that the woman had various
amours until she finally met Richard
Graham, who drove a wagon In Jenkintown.
She was eventually married to him. He at
once became supplied with unlimited money
and is said to have started in business In
the central section Of this city.
According to information gathered by
the postal authorities yesterday. Sophia
Beck, which seems to he the name by which
she Is best known, was the most powerful
factor in the Storey Cotton Company. She
took few orders from the officers Of the con-
cern, but gave a great many herself.
A month ago, it is said, she foretold the
collapse II was then that she began her
preparations for the future.
In her own Office she planned to raise as
much money as was available and gave in
stfuctions and advice to all the others.
she mortgaged all the property controlled
by the syndicate. Upon that occupied
by the Mechanics Bank, she raised $4,000.
The Mechanics Bank has no connection
With get-rich-quick concerns, merely rent
ing the building. She got $40, 900 it ia said,
upon the Francis building and various
sums upon other properties. All this was
done so quickly that no one had the least
suspicion. In the meantime Marin and
Latimer escaped,
Sophie Beck herself Is believed TO have
waited until the last minute before leaving
for Europe. II was declared yesterday
that she went upon the steamer heavily
yelled and took passa &c under the name
Of Mrs. Graham. The entire clique who
are wanted by the authorities are said to
be endeavoring to follow her TO London.
The United States District Attorney
expects to prove that Francis was a direc-
tor Of the Storey Cotton Company, that he
prepared the literature for that concern
and the Provident Investment Bureau,
violated the laws governing the send
ing Of mail and finally that he was a large
factor in a general conspiracy. In spite
Of this Attorney Scott expects to secure
the release Of his client on bail tomorrow.
Francis spent an unhappy day in Moy-
am, nsing Prison. He had a roll Of bills
in his pocket and SO, 900 at his command.
He offered 500 to the warden for a
meal from an uptown hotel, but his
request was refused. II had been decided
by the authorities that Francis should be
treated the same as the other prisoners,
30 he was forced TO make the best Of the
Jail bread and coffee.
Late in the afternoon a private carriage
was driven up to the jail doors and out
stepped Mrs. Francis, wife Of the prisoner.
She was handsomely gowned, but pale and
agitated. She begged TO be allowed to visit
her husband in his cell, but Supt. Horthe-
we'll denied her request.
J. B. Williams, son Of one OF the solicitors
Of the Storey Cotton Company, was arrested
late tonight at Allentown in connection
With the case. The Allentown authorities
and the postal inspector who made the
arrest refused 70 discuss the case beyond
admitting that II was In connection with
the Storey cotton crash.
rArT0RV FoRFuAE SEOT At