The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-19
Great rials of History.
TRIAL OF whitaker WRIGHT.

Inc life, trial and tragic death OF
Whitaker Wright are well remembered
by most readers. The story OF this
promoters career reads like Il page OF
fiction. Mr.. Wright was an English
man. who had long resided In America,
where ne had accumulated quite a for
tune At ocioci; on tho afternoon
OF January &c. 1904. the famous pro-
motcr was sentenced to seven years
penal servitudo, and one hour later
he lay dead on the floor or n small
room in the Law Court. the result OF
poison administered by himself.
The astonishing career OF Whitaker
Wright. as a promoter. began In
Philadelphia, where he lived from
1880 to 1891, and where he made his
hrst million "a a broker In cotton,
grain and petroleum. Shortly after
he returned to England he became the
friend and necccr OF those who sit IN
WAS caught in the tolls OF Justice for
looting EnElishulen Of a Il hundred mil
hon OF dollars, he boastcd that hc was
immune from. punishment because tho
King OF England IL ms friend"
Wright noatcd no less than eleven
companies In England. financial. min,
in December, 1902. Whitaker found that
MS boasted friendship with thu. King
pectcd IT would, and In February. 1909.
he LEFT England for America with his
niece, Miss krowne. under the assumed
New York on February Is he was i'm
mcdlately arrested on an English order
o! prosecution for fraud which had
Commons had taken UP the matter.
How much money Wright made out
OF his victims has never been fully
known. hu, he was able to live in
pr!ncely style at Park Lane. London,
IN miniature palace. which II took
three years 10 complete Al Godain
ms M G%ne %, w GSTp'ry zoo seat N 5Me
We're engaged. HIS private yacht was
ntted with the utmost luxuriousness
Among the victims OF Wright In
the Duke OF Cotnaught. a brother to
King Edward; Right Hon. Arthur Bal
four. Premier OF Great britain; the
ford and many others. The many com.
panies he Heated represented grand
total IN money Of slll.I75.00o.
When Wright was arrested in New
papers, arrived on June /. 1909. and
after long legal wrangles in the
courts Mr.. Wright Abandoned his
was granted.
land, The next day no WAS charged
at Guildh"ll With various crimes,
porting certain material particulars
With inten, TO deceive and defrnmd
tors tor, " and and When the said i''" accused H
knew 10 be false" The court was
timed TO SIT at II o'clock. and at
Wright took his place. He. with his
solicitor, q. Lewis. Upon the arrival OF
Alderman Smallwood, took seat in
from; OF the dock. After various legal
arguments the outcome was that
Wright was liberated on Il bail Of $780,
zoe.
=. ri, The Gaze dragged or for Some time,
head OF a formidable array of counsel
Tor the prosecution. 1t was not until
government was able to bring tho
greatest swindler and promoter OF
modern times before the bar for IA
final passing OF Judgment upon him.
The case was continued for six days.
and on the seventh Mr.. Wright APP
peared In the witness box and related
his promotions in England until tho
disaster of 1899. lie admitted that
pany he. would cell TO himself as man
aging director OF another. When tho
crash came he held only $500 shares
OF the London and Globe Corporation
quantity: on benches. doors and
documents of every hue and shape.
The witnesses were a host which no
man could number. and represented all
grades Of society, from fashionable men
about town to lads in corduroy and
muitiers. For two days he was cross.
examined; during which time he was
mcrcilcssly handled. The jury was OUT
but Il short time when 1t returned
verdict of guilty. When Justice BinG-
ham returned the verdict to tho pris.
oncr he said "Gn my opinion tina
jury could not have arrived at any
other conclusion. ] can see nothing
that in any way, excuses the crime Or
IN Ia hlN-
cannot conceive OF q worse case than
yours"
Wright was the only person present
who appeared to be unmovcd. Then
came the suicide. Within one hour
from the time he had been sentenced
the greatest promoter of modern times
stood n prisoner before another bar OF
Justice. the verdict of which was
sealed.