Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-10
JAIL DOORS CLOSE ON
LUMBER SWINDLERS

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too, tried to encourage her. The three
other prisoners started various conversa-
tions that faltered and ended aimlessly.
They could not keep their eyes from the
woman on the bench Stewart especially
wore a strained look. He was waiting
for his wife, who arrived a short time
later and sat beside Mrs. Miller on the
bench
THE lumber proposition always was
good one" said Stewart, before he was
put into the detention cell to wait for the
commitment papers. our, prosecution
was unwarranted. Time will show that
this is true and that we are innocent
of any wrongdoing."
Papers In civil suits against the four
for the collection of 500 were served in
court by John NJ. Sutton, of ovid, N. Y.
Sutton's father was one of the original
investors in the lumber swndle. He left
his holdings to his son. The latter claims
to have paid various assessments, totaling
about 5000. Several other suits for re-
covery have been filed against the four
men.
Stewart failed to arrive at the Federal
building until HOS o'clock this morning,
two hours and fifteen minutes late. He
hurried into the office OF the United States
District Attorney and explained the cause
of his delay. The reason given out was
that he had missed the train last night
from Washington, where he remained to
the last minute trying to get executive
Clemency. The real reason it was
learned, was that Stewart had difficulty
getting the railroad fare to this city.
The other three had been committed by
Judge Dickinson before Stewart arrived.
He was arraigned and his case was dis
posed of IN a few minutes, Then he
Joined his friends in the little cell room.
Shortly after noon the start was made
for the Eastern Penitentary. The mel
had hoped to go in a closed automobile.
Instead, they were taken in a trolley car.
A curious little knot of men and women
watched them march out of the Postoftice
Building and board the car. They took
seats in the rear. There was little con-
versation on the trip. Each of the four
tried to talk, but in vain, Each stopped
time and again in the middle of a sem
tence to gaze at the crowds in the streets.
Every little incident visible from the car
windows was interesting to the prisoners
Little things, formerly of no import, be-
came intensely interesting Each realized
1t would be a long time before he would
see the city again as free man.
Markley and Miller each will serve one
year and three months, and will pay
fine of $4,000; McMahon will serve two
years and pay a $1,000 fine, and Stewart
will serve a year and a day, and pay
fine of $1,000. Armstrong; 8 term ana nne
are the same as that of Mcmahon.
United States District Attorney Francis
Fisher Kane denied emphatiCally before
the men were arraiGned that he had rec
commended clemenCy for Armstrong, who
is ill., He said il was not the intention of
the department to drag Armstrong out of
bed He said investigation had been ilade
of the mans condition and the statements
of his attorney were found to be true.
Therefore, no effort will be made to
bring up Armstrong for commitment un-
til he has recovered to the point where
1t will not endanger his life.
LAST HOUR OF FREEDOM.
An hour before the four men convicted
of what Is considered the most brazen
promotion frauds ever perpetrated in this
country were committed to the Eastern
Penitentlary they met in the corridor
of the Hotel Walton. where Miller and
Markley spent the night. Mcmahon, whp
has been living at the home of relatives
in Wayne, and Colonel Stewart Joined
them later Colonel Stewart arrived in
the city early today from Washington.
His home is in Chicago. His railroad fare
from Chicago to Washington and this
city was contributed by friends. Arm
strong, who is a physical wreck, was
absent. He Is confined in bed at his
apartments, l05 South 1lth street
The men sat in chairs near the front
entrance and talked about different
things. Colonel Stewart, VINO was legal
adviser for the international Lumber