Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-02-11
MORSE IS INDICTED.
Will Be Arrested on Arrival Here
on Grand Larceny Charge.
TWO BILLS AGAINST HIM.
Former Ice King Is Accused Of Trans
actions Made In Connection With
Signature of Justice Morgan J.
o'Brien to Two 100000 Checks.

o'Brien to Two 100000 Checks.
New York, Feb 11.-When Charles
W. Morse, former "ice king and mas
ter of chain of banks, arrives here
on next Saturday on the steamer Etru-
ria, he will be arrested on charge of
grand larceny He was indicted twice
by the special grand jury which, under
the direction of District Attorney Je-
rome, has been investigating bank
scandals. Morse's bail was set at $10,-
900 in each instance.
The two indictments, which cover
the same transaction. accuse Morse Of
having discounted a note for 100000,
which had been made by Morgan ],
O'Brien payable to himself, and Of
having received check from the Mer-
camille National bank in the name of
O'Brien, which he Endorsed with
OBrien's name and then deposited to
his own credit in the National Bank
of North America.
When the special grand jury hand
ed down the indictments no official
announcement of the name of the per-
son charged was made. But Jerome
informed Justice Bowling that the &C
cused man was on his way back to
this country. and would not arrive I'M
til Saturday.
Other Indictments to Come.
tvh rl
Morse was meant. 1t is probable that
before Morse reaches American soil he
will have been charged with other
crimes by the federal grand jury,
which has been looking into his bust
ness methods. 1t is probable also that
suits involving almost $1,000,000 win
be started against him by Charles A.
Hanna, receiver for the National Bank
of North America. In the new suits it
will be charged that Morse, acting
through dummies in various steamship
companies, borrowed money from that
bank.
While the indictments against Morse
were the only charges arising out Of
alleged crimes in banks that were
handed to the court. rumor was that
other indictments had been ordered by
the grand jury and that more would
be submitted to the court today. 1t Is
that today the grand jury
will file charges in the connection with
wrongdoing<in the Provident Life As
society and the Bankers Life
Insurance company.
How Trouble Started.
The indictment of Morse grew out of
transaction involving the sale of 667
shares Of stock of the National Bank
Of North America to former Justice
Morgan ]. O'Brien. O'Brien gave two
notes for 100000 each in payment Of
The stock, with the agreement that IL
he did not like the purchase within
certain time Morse would buy back
he stock. Eventually O'Brien express
ID dissatisfaction with the deal, and
Morse took back the stock, but he has
lot paid his debt to O'Brien in full.
One Of the notes O'Brien gave to
Morse was for 100000. O'Brien made
payable to himself. Both Morse and
)'Brien Endorsed the note, it is assert
d. and Morse retained possession Of
t, with the understanding he was not
o discount it until a certain date.
dorse apparently became pressed for
money. The indictment recites that he
ndorsed the note and took it TO the
iercantile National bank. where It was
discounted for him. He received a
heck payable to 0'Brien. but did not
resent the check TO O'Brien for his
ignature.
why Not Forsery7" Is Asked.
Instead. 1t is charged. he took the
heck TO the National Bank of North
america. Endorsed it, Morgan J.
,'Brien. per c. w. Morse" and depOs.
ted it TO his credit in the bank Of
rhich he was vice president and had
bsolute control. When the. note be.
anne due. O'Brien paid ii and started
n investigation
After they had heard of the indict-
lents against Morse lawyers and
ackecs asked why he had not been
Indicted for forgery in lesser degree.
was pointed out that he had signed
mans name apparently without au- ,
hority. In the criminal courts build
~ ii was limited that because OF the
allure Of the case grand larceny was
N hntta,. .hur,rn e.,