The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-02-18
MORSE is ARRESTED
Former Ice King Taken Into Gus
tody on Arrival From Europe.
RELEASED ON A $4,000 BOND
Declares He Went Abroad to Sell
Property In England and to Take
Fortnisht's Rest-PIeads Not Guilty
to Grand Larceny indictments.

to Grand Larceny indictments.
| New York, Feb. IS. Charles w.
Morse, fnancier and promoter of many
large combinations, including the ice
trust and merger ofnearly all of the
coastwise steamship lines, appeared in
Justice Dowling's court today and
pleaded not guilty to two indictments
charging grand larceny and involving
the sum of 100000.
Mr.. Morse was arrested in his state
room when the steamer Etruria reach
ed quarantine in the lower bay, held
in custody until the ship was locked
| and then whirled away in an automo-
bile to the home of Justice Dowling
where he gave bonds in the sum of
$4,000 in connection with the indict
ments reported
| Mr. Morse was released and went
Immediately to his Fifth avenue home,
where he gave out a statement assert
ing his innocence and asking the pub
E-lic to suspend judgment until he has
had the opportunity of facing. his ac-
cusers in court.
Surety Company Gives Bonds.
Mr. Morse had received word by
wireless telegraphy that two indict
ments had been found against him,
but he did not know he was to suffer
physical arrest The appearance of
three detectives from District Attor-
ney Jerome's office 4 . his stateroom
took him completely by surprise. The
officers armed with a warrant, had
gone down the bay ON revenue cut
ter. They were accompanied by Al
bert B, Boardman and Philip ]. Britt,
attorneys, and by Benjamin w. Morse,
son of the financier. Mrs. Morse met
her husband at the pier, and it was in
her automobile that the journey with
one of the detectives was made to
Justice Dowling's house.
Justice Bowling held an informal
court session in his library, Assistant
District Attorney Kresel representing
the prosecution. The bonds were sign
ed by surety company.
The charge against Mr.. Morse grows
out of a note for 100000 given to
him by former Chief Justice Morgan
]. O'Brien of the court of appeals.
Says He Isn't Worried.
Mr.. Morse declared that he was
Feeling fine" and after he had con-
suited with his counsel exclaimed:
'Wen, if that's the worst they have
got on me am not worried.
II had two purposes in going to Eu-
rope l thought that might be able
to sell in England property to which
/ had a large interest and thus In
crease my ability to meet the claims OF
my creditors, and l greatly needed a
fortnight's rest.
"NIy business purpose was of course
defeated by the publication In the
English papers that l was regarded In
New York as fugitive from justice.
had Strengthened out my financial
affairs when left New York, SO that
there were no actions pending against
me except one brought by a creditor to
whom had given valuable collateral
securities, and l was informed by my
counsel that he had arranged with
this creditor not to press his suit
against me.
"As had no obligations maturing
for three weeks from which / antici-
pated any trouble, / saw no reason
from the standpoint Of my obligations
to creditors why | should not take a
fortnight's rest.
No Criminal Intent.
"I had no knowledge that District
Attorney Jerome contemplated taking
any proceedings against me, and /
4 therefore did not communicate with
| him on this subject. About six weeks
/ before / left New York, hearing that
/ United States District Attorney Slim
SON was considering the evidence In
certain transactions between the Ma
tional Bank of North America and my
self with view of the possible presen-
tation thereof to the federal grand
Jury, / asked him on the telephone
4 that / be given an opportunity to ex-
plain these transactions before any in
\ dictment was found against me- sub
seauently wrote to the United States
district attorney to the same effect.
s'Not having heard from Mr.. Stimson
4 in reply to my request for several
weeks. l naturally reached the conclu-
sion that he had completed his exami-
\ nation and had found nothing against
:, me. I therefore saw no objection to
my short European trip based upon
the possibility Of criminal proceedings
-