Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-12-11

led by revelations concerning the kind
Of banking being done by the Scan
dinavian- American Bank Of Fargo,
which had loaned half million to
league concerns, and which appeared
to be a pet financial institution not
only Of Townley, but certain league
state officials as well.
The bank was ordered closed. Town
ley staged "shake-down'' meeting
at Fargo to reorganize the bank. The
stock sales w.re insufficient to effect
the reorganization. Finally, three
members of the supreme court gave
the bank new lease Of life, their ac-
tion being bitterly condemned in the
minority opinions Of Birdsell, leag-
uer, and Chief Justice Christianson.
Attorney General LANCER had ord
cred the arrest of the president and
cashier of the bank, but the court re-
quired him to return many of the let
ters in the files of the bank that were
to be used in the criminal actions
LANCER had them photographed before
the return was, made.
Last week H. ]. Hagan, president
Of the bank, was tried in district
court in Cass county on the criminal
charge Of making a false statement
to the state bank examiner. Judge
Englert, a recent appiontee Of Gov.
Frazier presided. The jury was chos-
en- from the regular panel. Hagan
was convicted by that jury. Judge
Englert gave notice that he would not
pass sentence until Jan. 18th, during
which time the defendant may pre-
pare his plea for q new trial. :
It will be remembered that when
Townley was convicted in Minnesota
of disloyalty, the Judge and jury were
roundly abused by the string Of leag-
re papers. In the present case, it
was impossible for the league papers
to roast Judge appointed by their
own Gov. Frazier, so the league pa
pers have been taking their spite out
on the jury alone. It is interesting
to note that six Of the twelve jurymen
were farmers, and that several Of the
remainder were laborers, both classes
of whom are supposed to be naturally
sympathetic with Townley methods
Of finance.
Following is the report of the trial
given In Fridays Fargo Forum:
A jury in Cass county district court
at 9:15 o'clock last night returned
verdict of guilty in the case of the
State of North Dakota against Il. ].
Hagan, president of the Scandinavian
American Bank of Fargo, who was
charged with having made q false
statment to a bank examiner. The
case was given to the jury at 4:40 o.
clock in the afternoon. Members Of
the jury were taken out to their dinner
in charge Of officers. No time was
fixed by the court for passing the
sentence.
The crime Of which Mr.. Hagan was
found guilty is felony, punishable
by state imprisonment in the state
penitsntiary for not less than one
year or mre than 10 years, or impris-
onment in the county Jail for not to
exceed one year, or a fine not to ex-
coed $4,000.
James Monahan Of st. Paul, chief
counsel for the defense, created a
scene in the cour room when the ver-
dict was read, declaring the verdict
was a "travesty on justice" and the
act of mer $50 blinded by preiudics
that they could not BEE Justice" He
shouted that an appeal would be TAX
fen, and that if justice could not not
be secured in trial rourt, the matter
would be taken to the supreme court.
Mr.. Manahan had already congrat-
ulated Mr.. Hagan on his acquittal,
Judge Englert having made mistake
and read theswrong verdict.
1--WE the jury find the defendant not
guilty" read Judge Englert.
Then after moment: Gentlemen
Of the jury, this verdict is not dated"
And then Judge EngAert noticed
that the verdict was unsigned.
"You have the wrong verdict" said
R. A. Miller of Hunter, foreman Of
the jury that found Hagan guilty.
Judge Englert then read the verdict
of guilty.
Mr.. Hagan's face became white, and
he stepped back, dropping into a chair.
He bent forward. resting his head in
his hands.
Mr.. Manaban, however. was not thus
affected, and became militant. "This
verdict is travesty Of justice" he
shouted TO the court, and added that
the case would be appealed.