Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1908-12-18
Judge stsrens Indicted

Theron Stevens, the Goldfield attorney
who was appointed by Governor Dick
crson us one of the new judges in
Esmeralda county, has been indicted by
the Ouray county, Colorado, grand jury.
He is charged in nine indictments with
having been an officer of bank in the
town Of Ouray ut the time of its failure
and having received deposits ut the
bank, knowing the institution to be in
solvent at the time.
Judge Stevens received word at Gold
field of his indictment on December 4th
and left the next morning for Ouray to
face his accusers. While away he was
appointed one of the judges of the
Esmeralda county court. On his re-
turn to Nevada, he went to Carson and
placed his resignation in the hands OF
the governor
Governor Dickerson carefully consid
cred the matter with Judge Stevens and
refused to accept the resignation.
From the statement of Judge Stevens
as given by the Carson News, it appears
that the national bank of Ouray failed
i'll 1895, having ON deposit the funds of
the city amounting to $4,000. This ac-
count was traded to Il mining operator
with full permission of the city govern
ment and the account WAS cancelled on
the books of the bank.
Judge Stevens with George r. Hurl-
burt Went to the assistance of the bank,
purchasing One-half interest, assum-
ing all liabilities and taking over all
assets. Judge Stevens claims that he
decided to the bank all his property in
an endeavor to place it on paying
basis.
The city of Ouray demanded its money
of the mining operator and he repudiat-
ed the debt. Suit was begun against
him and the city lost. Suits were then
filed against the bank
The bank was running in good shape,
slowly paying up old deposits. of which
81 per cent had been settled. Judge
Stevens had owed the bank at one
time the sum of 81 900 and this he had
paid with full interest. The bank
closed as usual at 3 p. III. one day in
June 1907. AT four o'clock that day
Judgment was rendered against tine
bank in the suit of the city for the sum
of $4,000 and not having the funds,
was unable to open its doors the follow
ing morning.
At the time of this second closing of
the bank, Judge Stevens was II resident
of Nevada and had been so for over six
When in Colorado as vice
president of the bank, he had but little
to do with the active management us
his responsibilities were only during the
absence Of the president.
In II signed statement published in
News, Judge Stevens says:
with reference to my appointment
AS Judge of the 7th Judicial District of
Nevada and the troubles that camc to
me from Colorado have to say, that
for the past ten years, l put ever cent
l could save in the bank of Ouray, that
failed. l have never had one pcnnys
benefit from it, and when the bank
failed ! sent tho assignee u deed to all
the property l had in Colorado to be
sold by him for tho benefit of tho credit.
Ors, do not owe the t:,nk II dollar,
''Tho indictments returned against
me were tho result of misrepresentation
and were unfairly obtained.
mo one in Ouray county believes me
guilty and ! can verify this brief state.
lnent. would not accept the appoint.
mcnt until had laid all tho facts before
tho Governor, and my resignation is
subject to tho Governors orders ut any
time"
Judge Stevens claims that his indict.
ment was tho work of political and
personal enemies. Six months before
the bank failed he left Colorado and
came to Nevada. Wncn ho loft. the
bank was in good condition, or in as
good condition rs could be expected
after its former trouble. Tho bank was
solvent, hc claims, OH the day IL closed
and was solvent until 4 y. IN. Of that
day when judgment was rendered
against it for tho $lS, 900 claimed by tho
City Of Ouray.
Governor Dicltcrson IL in receipt of
tclegrams from prominent citizens of
Ouray tcstifying to the high character
aud ability Of Judge Stevens.