The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-02-17
PEORIA PASTOR
POOR F|NANC|ER
Builds Up Bankrupt Church,
but Wrecks Savings
Institution.
WAS PRESIDENT OF TWO BANKS
One 10 Closed, but Other Withstands
Run and Pays Deposltors After the
Minister Ends His Life With cy-
anide Of Potassium.

Peoria, H.. Feb. There are two
things left for you TO do-either leave
the city or commit suicide"
Faced with this alternative, and In
vain effort 20 avoid exposure, DIR.
George H. Simmons, Baptist minister,
banker, political manager and popular
idol, chose death.
The mandate was delivered 10 DIR.
Simmons by newspaper editor Mon
day afternoon upon receipt from the
states attorney OF a report that dis
closed the popular divine in his true
character and at o'clock Tuesday
morning his body was found In bed
by his wife. Near by was vial
which had contained cyanide OF po-
tassium.
Astounded at this new situation.
and hardly recovered from the effects
OF the Dougherty scandal. depositors
in the two banks OF which Or. Sim
mons was president clamored al the
doors OF the institutions for their
money and received II from but one,
the Interstate Trust and Savings
The other bank. the Peoples Savings,
did not open, and E. Lewis Kelly
Simmons partner In the venture and
the only other person conyersant with
the banks affairs. is almost on the
verge OF nervous prostration.
Says Bank Is Solvent
The condition OF Kelly serves TO
complicate what is the most tangled
feature Of the Simmons affair. ru-
NOR was In circulation that the Peo-
Plies bank had on hand but $1,000
when the time came for IL 10 open
It's doors. and the only ineligible re-
ply made by Kelly 20 questions re-
garding the banks condition was:
Banks solvent"
At the Interstate bank a run con
tinued during banking hours and de-
positors obtained their money with
out difficulty. IL is said Simmons
merely was a hired" president OF the
institution. hired on account OF his
immense popularity. so that his dis
grace and consequent suicide may not
affect the banks condition. The $780,
600 IN the Peoples bank, belonging
mostly TO people OF the poorer class.
is said 20 be affected by the scandal
Investigation has developed the fact
that DR. Simmons for years has been
afflicted with peculiar species Of
| insanity, which has caused him 10 be
| driven from at least two cities In the
| United States, and which finally
brought about his self-infiicted death.
On this account he had been
estranged from his wife. who. never
theless. was loyal to him in public
during the eight years they had been
| married.
The written statement left by Or.
Simmons is pregnant with meaning
10 those who are acquainted with the
| investigation recently completed by
the states attorney. In II he was
careful TO exculpate his business as
sociates from any fault
PlaintIve Message.
| lie limited. however, AT failure OF
persons TO make good financial prom
ises," that serves but TO add 10 the
mystery that hangs over the affairs
Of his bank. The statement follows in
| full:
"Should this be my last night on
arth there are some things ] feel
must say. My business associates
must not be held responsible for my
fault TO carry out my plans. Others
failed me In not making good financial
promises. and | was compelled 70 dis
appoint my associates This Is OF NO
local reference. Also no blame must
be attached 10 Ex-Governor Yates OF
his associates He simply gave me
an appointment. which his opponents
and my enemies have prevented me
using. regret most keenly the dis
appointment and suffering ! have
brought 20 those who loved and still
love and trust me Believe me wher
| say I have tried earnestly to have
the present other than II u.s. But q
short time and all would have beer
different. May the merciful and mild
deal gently with those whom ! car
help no more I have preached the
truth. but my ability and conditions
beyond my control have prevented m,
realizing &. believe II and trust II
yet the time fails me should attemp
20 write personal messages Undyinl
love Is my thought for all"
Politics His undoInq.
While the sensational disclosures re
gardlng DIR. Simmons and his conduc
could not have been STAYED on long
the expose is believed 10 have beer
fastened by his entrance into pol
tiles. His high moral attitude Sc
certain people TO work. and thu
stories commenced circulating in
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