The Washington herald., 1909-05-09

For the first tine since MS inoaTcera-
hon and arrest Attorney John C. Davis,
lccused Of fraudulent operations. last
hight declared he had invested several
sundred thousand dollars for clients in
Washington
This statement. coupled with the fact
that a number Of citizens have notified
The district attorney of losses, placed
the amount OF money involved in the
alleged shady financial deals at nearly
! hundred times that originally named
Following close upon the arrest OF
Martin T Davis, brother OF the at
torney, and secretary OF the Potomac
Building and Loan Association, for con-
5piracy TO defraud, came the arrest last
evening Of Capt Thomas a. Owen. in
dorser Of several Of Davis notes. charged
with the same o1ense. He was released
pn 1900 bail
Coincident with the developments in
volving the defendant. comes the news
from North Carolina that Davis had been
tried for similar operations in Whining
on, y. G. about fifteen years ago
Mystery as to His Release
Some doubt exists as to how he es-
raped from the State insane asylum TO
which he was committed al his trial in
that city. Connected with his escapades
IN North Carolina are the names OF a
Suuber Of prominent citizens, Though
whose influence. It IS stated, he vas re-
leased from the Central Hospital al
Raleigh.
Davis came 10 this city in January,
IS9s, and since that tine had resided
here
Judging from the activity being dis
PLAYED BY the police. several more ar
rests viii be made The list Of victims
who have already placed their grievances
In the hands OF District Attorney Baker
undoubtedly viii be increased BY to-mcr-
TOW. Investigation has disclosed thai
scores o. prominent Washingtonisus and
citizens from other cities advanced sums
Df money 70 Davis for investment in real
estate enterprises.
The steady stream OF callers at tha
district attorneys Office and al police
headquarters yesterday led the authori-
ties 10 believe that the aggregate sum
involved viii total more than 500, co.
Added to this Is the assertion that prob
ably a score Of additional persons havs
been victinlized-
The $. .00O deficit claimed by Miss Nellie
1IcKeoUn, who dled the original COM
plant, has suddenly jumped TO SZlo.e)e.
causing the district attorney TO raise
Davis bail TO S2G.009 from $1,000
Two well-known physicians were men
toned by the prisoner last night as mem
bers OF his clientele. thus raising the
number OF victims to thirteen
Davis Talks Freely.
When interviewed by q reporter for
The Washington Herald at the First pre-
cinct station, Davis said he knew OF no
steps being taken 10 obtain his release
from custody. CIasping a Bible and a
hymn book which he said belonged 10 his
mother, Davis talked in a rambling man
ner OF his operations in this city. With
out hesitation he recited events that led
20 his trial and Imprisonment in Raleigh.
interspersing his remarks with quota
tons from the Scriptures
He denied that the funds intrusted to
him were lost saying be needed a little
more money 70 finish his enterprises.
which are stiu in an unsettled condition.
That the creditors were unduIy wrathy
at hts actions was the firm conviction
expressed by the prisoner
Leaning against the bars Of his cell.
Davis spoke with a rspidity that leads
the police TO believe he is feigning In
sanity. HIS sentences were disconnected.
and he discussed his financial affairs as
II they were matters OF divine import
God is ny keeper" said he. For
the last six OF eight months the four
Of US have Travelled about Washington
together"
when asked who the four were.
Davis replied: why. God, Christ the
Holy Spirit. and myself I know they
are with ne now. / did not know how
much 1 needed their help until now.
In the dark hours OF the night they
are a solaee and comfort 70 me. Re
ligion is my only hope. I viii come
cut CT this difficulty all right I can
pay these people now II they would
only come here and give me d check
book"
Asked on what bank he would make
the check payable. the attorney re-
piled: The Merchants and Mechanics
or the Commercial" Earlier IN the
day he mentioned The bank OF
Heaven" as his security
new phase Of the situation was de-
veloped when ne mentioned that his
finances were known only TO his book
keeper, who had left his Office about
three weeks ago.
When a search was made IN his Offices
IN the Columbian Building yesterday morn
Ing to find the vast sums which Davis
said were locked in his safe. nothing was
found that would substantiate his claim
In the place Of the SEC, 90 supposed 70
repose IN the safe. the police discovered
: number Of deeds. which are believed 70
be worthless
Il was while he was standing IL the
midst Of his dismantied Office that the at
tornev first manifested signs Of mental
5eraagement. Failing 10 find any docu-
r,ents that might tend to mitigate the
charge against the defendant. the de-
tectives marched him back to headuuar-
ters. where his picture and measure was
taken according TO the Bertillon system
for the rogues gallery.
The trip to his palatial Offices IN the
Columbian Building not only failed to aid
Davis. but disclosed q number Of letters
that are said TO contain demands for an
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