The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-11-11
uen FInlkcIERs CONVICTED,
MORSE AND CURTIS UNMAsKED
by THE PANIC FOUND GUILTY.
Jury In Now York Federal Court Re
turns Verdict Of Guilty In Case
Against leo Trust and Steamship
Combine Promoters and Ex-Nation-
~ Hank Prcsiient for Afisappropria-
tAcn of Funds and f'alsifying Books,
Mercy for Curtis Recommended
BDeh Go to Jail.

New York. November 5.-Chas w
Morse. until q year sgo dominan
dgurc In the world OF nnance. and Al.
nsd Curtis. former president Of tn,
National Bank OF North America. were
found guilty tonight ih the crimina
branch OF the United States Circuit
Court on charges OF misappllcation ni
funds and faisifying the books Of the
bank. There was also the additional
charge OF conspiracy against the pris.
pnsrs. but the jury acquitted the mer
On this count
Judge Hugh refused to entertain q
motion for baii and committed the two
bankers to the Tombs prison.
Judge Hugh said that he would hear
any motion tire lawyers for the pris-
on'srs desire to make tomorrow.
'rhe Federal statutes provide a min
Imam penalty for Ave years imprison-
mint for classifying the books Of a
bank and penalty OF two years i'm
prisonment for misappiication OF funds
No alternative but Imprisonment
IN provided for conviction on the
charge OF faisifying the books of a
bank. The maximum penalty on this
charge Is ten years Imprisonment.
Te jury recommended ciemency for
Curtis.
The scene In the court room was a
dramatic one. Mrs. Morse and Mrs.
Curtis had remained In the court room
nearly the entire day awaiting the ver-
art.
Once when the jury returned to the
court room TO receive instructions on
The manner In which the conspiracy
charge SHOULD be considered. Mrs.
Morse broke down and sobbed.
large crowd hurried into the court
room to hear the verdict. Foreman
John Elder read the verdict. MT.
Morse and Mr.. Curtis stood before the
>sry while Mr. Elder was reading the
vsrdict and their wives sat near them
leaning r,rwsrd In intense attitudes to
Glitch every word.
''we have agreed upon q verdict in
ellie case OF both defendants" said the
ftremaa In subdued voice. ION
tle charges Of conspiracy we ind them
not guilty.
A look OF relief came TO the faces
OF the ~~tsouers and their wives. but
u only lasted a moment. for Mr.. El-
der continued: "On the charge OF the
naisapplication OF the funds OF the
hank We Aod both defendants guilty.
On the charge Of making false en-
tries In the books ir the bank we find
both defendants guilty. In the case of
lAifred n. Curtis the jury wishes 20
make strong recommendation to the
mercy OF the Court"
a stined sob of relief escaped Mrs.
Curtis a. she heard the recommends
Sicn. Mr.. Curtis took the verdict like
"a stole. but Morse was unable to con-
ceal the disappointment he felt, while
his wife showed no signs OF emotion.
There was a momentary hush In
The court room after the verdict had
been read. This was broken by a
buzz OF excited conversation In the
court room. and few minutes the
lawyers for the defendants were max
ing the customary motions for a new
trial. for ball and for permission to
take appeal to the Circuit Court of Ap-
peais.
After saying he would n ear the mo-
lions tomorrow when the prisoners are
arraigned before him to Be sentence
Judge Hugh then dismissed the Jury.
Morse and Curtis were accornpani-
ed az far as the Tombs prison by their
wives.
There has been wide interest I'm the
Joint trials Of chas. w. Morse and AL.
ned III. Curtis on charges growing ou,
OF the failure OF the National Bank O,
North An erica. IL was brought out ir
The testimony that Morse had made
soans from the bank through the so.
called dummies" and that Presiden,
Curtis bad enabled him to do SO. The
money thus obtained was used to fin.
ence the Morse Ice pools and steam.
ship operations.