The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-29
Former Highland Banker Is
Again in Trouble.
Has Disappeared From Kansas
City Leaving Creditors.
HIS METEORIC CAREER
Shortage of Nearly 100000 as
Cashier in Kansas Bank.
PardOned From Penitentiary by
Governor Hoch.

Kansas City. May 29.-J. E. Mar
of a Highland, Kan, bank and his sud-
den failure, followed by his arrest and
conviction of forgery, was one of the
sensations of Kansas banking history,
has disappeared from Kansas City and
his creditors are seeking to untangle
his affairs.
The creditors of MARCEL, who is pro-
prietor of the Pittsburg Gas Light
Store & Fixture company, of 204 West
twelfth street, have appointed trustees,
who have taken over his business.
MARCEL has been absent from Kansas
City since the trustees took over the
business. His debts, it is said, will
amount to between $4,000 and $1,000.
but the books of the concern are in
such a muddled condition that the ex-
act condition of affairs can not be de-
were named are: R. L. Kidner, man.
ager of the Wilson Gas Appliance COM
pany; w. r. Williams, credit repre-
sentative of the Bunting-Stone Hard
president of the Commerce Trust COM
pany. The trustees express confidence
that MarcelPs affairs may be adjusted
without loss to any creditors.
The Crash at Highland.
James E. MARCEL first came into
prominence in Highland, Kan, where
he was cashier of the Bank of High
land. He was a good fellow among the
business men and young men and
women of the town. He was liberal
and frequently came to Kansas City
and operated in the board of trade
dealings he began to deal in futures.
Finally on January 5, 1904, he was ar
rested in Troy, Kan, on charge of
forging checks to the amount of $780,
900. He was released on a bond of
100000, but was rearrested the next
day when it was found that his short
age from the bank had reached almost
100000.
MARCEL pleaded guilty to five counts
of forgery in the United States district
court, May 27, 1904. He was given an
indeterminate sentence in the Kansas
penitentary not to exceed 35 years. He
went to the penitentiary June 10, 1904.
His sentence was committed to 5 years,
by Governor Hoch. He was released
from the penitentiary February 15 1908
Nearly two years ago Curry Daughtry
of 305 East Thirteenth street advertised
for sale stock in a gaslight company
MARCEL answered the advertisement and
gave evidence of having plenty of fin
ancial assets. The company was given
a good rating by Bradstreet and Dun
accounting companies. Eight months
ago Daughtry learned that MARCEL had
served a sentence in the penitentiary
ABOUT the same Tune ne mad cause tC
mistrust him in their business. Daugh-
try held a controlling interest and de-
manded to buy or sell MARCEL bought
the remaining stock.
Il simply quit March, Daukhtry
said last night.
MarcalPs financial flights at Highland
Kan, were of a kind that make country
bankers quicker their lips and whistle
softly when they read of his doings.
His forgeries, which were committed
upon grain buyers and horse and mule
buyers, were only part of his short
ages. 1t was never learned just how he
made away with the balance of the
money. 1t was said at the time of his
conviction that after his first release
and before his subsequent rearrest he
returned at night to the bank and
burned every scrap of paper that might
tend to place the blame upon him.
This act was not sufficient to throw the
suspicion from him and his plea OF
guilty put an end to what might have
been a long drawn law case.
The Bank of Highland, after a strug-
gle, reopened and paid off the shortage
made by MARCEL. After his release from
the penitentiary MARCEL spent a few
weeks at his fathers home at Highland
Since then he has been little known at
his home town. He had no money when
his penitentiary sentence terminated.