The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-26
BURRELL GOES ON
WIT NESS STAND
Denies That lie Knew Bank
Was lnsolvent When 1t
Accepted Deposits.
CASE MAY REACH JURY TO-DAY
Council Ready to Argue Instruc-
tons i'll the Hastings
Court.

Evidence was concluded yesterday
afternoon in the case of W. Il. Bur-
recll, one of tho directors of the Saw
formers. Instructions arc now in
course OF preparation and will be dis
cussed by counsel for the defense and
10 o'clock. An hour later they are to
SO TO the jury. 1t is expected that
the case will be in the hands of the
jury late this afternoon.
Burrell was on the stand in his own
behalf yesterday, his counsel seeking
to show that he had no intimation OF
the insolvency OF the institution up
to the time that it was closed by
order OF the State Corporation Com
were made by the state to show that
deposits were received after the
notification. but I. j Blackwell. who
was examined as to that point, was
not certain. y number OF witnesses,
most of them VOL known business
men of the city testified to the rcpu-
tation of Burrell for truthfulness and
honesty.
at the morning session, G. l. Cooke,
| expert accountant, was the first call
ed to the witness stand. lie testified
closed, October &c. 1910. the deposits
amount Il to $4,000 He also stated
that the system OF bookkeeping was
the worst he had ecver seen. and that
IT was nearly impossible to get any
definite idea of the condition of af-
fairs in the wreck cd institution.
Hurrcil on the stand.
Burroll made q good witness. lie
said that it never occurred to MIN
his impression that there was
enough real estate 10 pay OFF all de-
postors except members of the order.
There were about $4,000 unpaid
checks on hand he stated. when the
bank closed.
Mr.. Folkcs, for the state, asked how
many death claims. due ami unpaid,
We're on hand 1T that time. II. NJ. Smith,
Jr., for the defense, OBJECTED to this
question saying tha, the insurance
phase OF the case should not be
brought up at that time. Judge Wells
ruled that the question was proper.
Burreil thought that tho death claims
unpaid at that time amounted TO about
$4,000. This did not impress him as
"A sign Of insolvency, Us these oblign :
tions could have been net by lcvyinE
an assessment OF $3.50 each on the co
900 or more members of the order. I'm.
SNSTlhB MY. Smltn, lie stated that
checks and claims had accu,nula ted
! many times before; that the abscond-
ing cashier. r. T. Hill, had held suc.
checks back as Ions as three years
ago, with the knowledge Of the dIrec.
tors.
Loaned Money to Bank.
| Burrcll told the jury that the order
| had morigaged its property in order o.
! lend the bank money with which 10
meet its obligations; that the board
OF directors met semi-annually and en-
deavored TO do something; for the bet
termcnt OF tho situation Questioned
by one OF the Jurors. h2 said tnat the
directors had found the stores opcrat-
Cd by the order Z losing proposition
and had discontinued Them In the
spring OF 1910, and thought after that
the difficulties were nearly over. lie
told Mir. F"lkes that settlements fire.
quontly wc.o mauc. and that he per-
sonally did The best 80 could" to see
} that affairs of the concern .vcrc adj
ministratcd properly.
! After the Introduction of Burreus
| charncte, witnesses, and one or two
in rcNuttal; with whom the Common
wealth sought to prove that deposits
were received after the hank was Of
: iicially closed by the Stao" Corporation
Commission. the defence rested.