The Washington times., 1906-08-31
DID NOT KNOW He WAS IN 4
BIG GET-RICH-OUICK SCHEME
Used as a Dupe by the De-
funct PrOVident Invest
ment Bureau Officers.
INNOCENT OF ANY FRAUD
Claims He Was Deceived by His Asso-
ciatss, Francis and Stone, Now
in Paris.

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. SL-Weary OF
being an exile In Canada. Handsome
Harry" La-imer has returned TO this
CITY and surrendered himself TO the
United States authorities after an en-
forced absence since the exposure OF
the "Provident Investment Bureau" a
get-rlch-quick scheme, a year and a
half ago.
Laumer, while admitting that he was
ass lclated in the scheme with Stanley
Fraucis and Judge" Franklin Stone.
both Of whom We're idertihed with the
notorious Storey Cotton company. as
serted that he had been innocent Of any
wrong-dolng and had merely been a
dune of his two associates.
i was in wrong / know" he said,
''but. believe me. ! was drawn into the
scheme without being aware of its real
nature. I believed Francis and Stone
when they assured me that the business
was on the level and it was not until
Stone ran away that I realized what a
medicament I was In"
Found Stone in Paris.
"On the night he disappeared I reach
"a him in New York by telephone. It's
me for the first steamship for Europe,
De said 10 me over the wire. You mad
better jump ont yourself Harry.
found him. later at Paris. where I be-
lieve he still is. and then he told me the
whole truth.
Il was naturally angry at the way I
had been deceived by Francis and Stone.
7 told Stone and Storey and Sophia Beck
and the rest Of the get-rich-quick bunch
whom J found at Paris just what
thought OF them, and then I knocked
about Europe for several months. eX-
pecting every instant to be arrested.
Finally J headed for Canada, where they
landed me at Calgary and showed me in
Jail"
LatiGner arrived in this city at an early
hour yesterday morning with his wife
who has Clung 10 him during all OF his
Wanderines, and his counsel, Attorney
James Scarlet, of Danville, Pa. He
proceeded 10 hunt up J. Hector Mcneil
receiver OF the "Provident Investment
Bureau" and Attorney Edgar J. PERISH
ing, counsel for the receiver. After
conference, AT which both sides reached
satisfactory agreement, Latimer aC-
COmpanied Mr.. No Neil. Mr. Scarlett. and
Mr. Pershing to the Federal building
There he formally surrendered himself
TO United States Commissioner Craig,
who held him in 5000 bail for his ap-
Every effort was made to keep the
fact of I.atimer's return a secret, Com
missioner Craig at first refused 10 even
admit that Latimer had been arraigned
before him, but later he consented 20
make known few meager details.
Made Use of Latimer.
Mr.. Pershing expressed his belief IN
Latlmers sincerity. He said: TT ap-
pears from later examination Of the
affairs Of the 'Pr0vident Investment
Bureau that the moving spirits tn il
were Franklin Stone and Stanley Fran
els. and that they made use Of Laumer
10 serve their own purposes. Ever
since we have been In touch with
Iatlmer and have known the true facts
he has done everything in his power TO
hcIu US 10 recover property that right
fully belongs 10 the creditors We be
leve he will continue 10 do so. The
fact that he has made restitution so
far as he has been able 70 DO so car
rics evidence Of his sincerity. Ii is %
be h0Ded now that the creditors VIII
cent. although the claims amount 10
about $4,000"
Latlmer since his arrest and subse-
duenr release his Offeuse not being eX-
traditabIe at Calgary. Alberta. Canada,
in December last has, according 10
Mr. Pershing. been negotiating for his
return 10 this city having expressed
WILLINGNESS v face the music
'I was tired Of Canada and Of my
exile" Latimer said. and ! wanted
10 get back 10 Dauville, Pa. and live
there with my wife, who has been my
only friend during all my trials and
tribulauons."