Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-07
MORSE GETS IS
YEARS FOR ICE
POOL SWINDLE
WIFE C0LLAPSES AS JUDGE
SENTENCES HIM
DRAMATIC SCENE MARKS END OF
SENSATIONAL CASE
Curtis Given Liberty Pending COURTS
Verdict - Writ of Error Is
Granted-New Trial
Doubtful

n YORK.,
in the Tombs prison Charles W..
IN Morse now directs the efforts OF
his counsel to procure his freedom ne
having been sentenced today to serve
fifteen wears in the federal prison at
Atlanta. Ga. for misapplication of the
funds of the National Bank OF North
America. and having made false en-
tries in the books of the bank.
Alfred Fl. Curtis, former president OF
the defunct bank, who was tried JOINT
Iv and convicted with Morse, was given
his liberty today on a suspended sem
tence.
While Morse's lawyers Immediately
applied for and obtained stay of exc
cution for ten days, it is prpoaple
Morse will remain a prisoner in the
Tombs until Monday, as Judge Hough
has refused to admit him to bail.
Grant Writ of Error
The Morse lawyers applied late 20
dav TO the federal circuit court Oh APP
peals for a writ to show cause Why
their client should not be admitted 70
hail and the writ was granted, but 1T
is not returnable until Monday
whether a new trial will be granted
Morse is problematical Judge La
combe granted a writ of error TO the
Morse lawyers today. The writ is re-
+urnable December 3 and is based on
the usual grounds-exceptions taken
nv the defense during the trial, ana ex-
centions to the indictment itseH.
This step had to be taken Detore
annlication for bail could be made
and 1t also leads to the argument tor
a new trial .-. .,,,+
has instructed them to fight TO the
last ditch"
Had Spectacular Career
Morse's sensational rise in the world
of finance dazzled America. Altred n
Curtis. former president OF tne il.a JAN
who was Jointly indicted with morse,
and who also was found guilty by
i,,rv in the federal court yesterday
was granted clemency because recoh-
mended by the jury. A stay OF Ten
days in execution Morses sentence
was granted upon application OF 1 counI
sell and it is expected that an Sppedi
from both the conviction and the sem
tence will be taken Immediately
The scene in the court room When
sentence was pronounced by Judge
Hough was a most dramatic one Ihe
wives of the two prisoners, who had
heen constant attendants at court DUR
ino. the trial were present early to-
dav as If an excuse to cheer thelr nus
hands bv their presence in the trying
ordeal that confronted them.
When the real test came, however
If was the husbands and not the
wives who proved the comIorters
Morse sat like a stolc Whel ne iIe't - u
the words which condemned him TO
prison.
Prisoner Has Iron Nerve
There was scarcely the tremor of an
evelid and to those who watched
there was no longer even the shadow
Of a doubt that the "little man. was
indeed of iron nerve.
Curtis. too, accepted the news when
came to hin1-good news in his case
with the same lack OF ehnotloh tI,at tt
characterized his former chief. But
the strain had been too great for the
As the truth which Judge Hough's
words meant flashed through her
mind, Mrs Morse, who through all the
strenuous days of the trial had pre-
served an unrufhed demeanor, col
lapsed in her seat, buried her face in
her hands and began to sob conVul-
sively.
Still weeping, she was led away to an
ante-room, where a moment later heT
husband held her in his arms and
sought to console her
Nor was Mrs. Curtis any more pre-
pared for the nervous strain than Mrs.
Morse. Mrs Curtis sat within the
rail gazing intently at Judge Hough
as he began to speak, She had been
I'M and several times during the trial
had been forced to leave her place
in the court ROOM
Today he- face was drawn and
white. telling of a night of mingled
hope and fear, while her husband re-
NAMED away from her behind the bars
of a prison cell When the Judgment of
court-the most favorable for her hus-
band that could be given-was pro-
nounced, she tainted and would have
fallen had not kindly hands supported
her.