The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-13
WIFE LOYALTY
STAKES PONZ
WITH HER LOVE
Declares Faith in Finan-
cier As He Nears End
Of His Rope.

days" enmeshed SO many customers
that he had to use bushel baskets
to hold their money, was nearing
the end Of his rope today.
The self claimed financial wiz
ard" was at liberty on $4,000 bail
$4,000 on the federal charge CT
using the mails to defraud, and the
other $4,000 on a state charge Of
larceny.
The report OF the auditor Of his
books was expected to be made
public today. Forecasts were that
the report would show Ponzi had
10000 customers; that they I'm
vested" as high as 81, ,000, 900 in his
scheme; that he repaid approx
mately $6,00O,00 before the doors
Of the Hanover Trust company
were closed and that he still owes
the remainder.
Federal officials declared that
there was no question but what the
00V1A6o VA NllOu60Au6 Wei Q ACu w
in the Ponzi venture.
Bank Commissioner Allen stuck
to the statement that the capital of
the Hanover Trust company was
BADLY impaired if not wiped Out"
despite denials of officials.
Wife's Love Makes Him Happy.
Ponzi declared today that he was
happy because his girl wife still
professed her love and faith in him.
Rose Ponzi, pretty, dark-eyed
Italian girl, proved her love and
faith by the simple statement:
HE is my husband"
She is happy that the nerve try
ing strain of the past few weeks is
over. Although she loved the lux
ury of their new found wealth, she
said she would toll long and pa
tiently to help her husband meet
his obligations and she was conf
dent he would pay all he owes.
After his surrender to authorities
yesterday, Ponzi rushed home to
his wife. She was waiting for him
on the lawn of their beautiful
estate.
Grects Weary Hus6dnd. sfs'
The worry and WEAKNESS that
was shown on Ponzi's face disap-
peared as his wife slipped her arm
about his neck and kissed him.
The little act of devotion seemed
to give the weary man new life
He turned to newspaper men and
smiled. His eyes were moist.
Mrs. Ponzi then informed her
husband that she married him with
a full knowledge Of his prison rec
ord in Atlanta and Montreal. She
was told Of her husbands record
by his mother when she and PonZi
became engaged.
The gray haired mother had writ
ten to the girl of Charles" record
and Rose had married Ponzi, but
had never told him until last nigh
she knew the secret Of his past.
| Loves Him More Than Ever.
| Mrs. Ponzi declared her faith IL
her husband and said she Is conf
dent he is innocent "S6mehov
what happened today makes mi
I happy" the girl said. ut gives m,
1.-THE chance to show the world ant
Charlie that l love him. that moth
ing matters. that l love him NOR
than ever before"
"Of course he is innocent. HI
has been prosecuted" the girl de
clared. If he is allowed to do Sc
he will pay all his obligations"
Tried Hard to Get Money.
That Ponzi. during the time h
was assuring the public with con
|; vincing force that he had none
| enough to settle all accounts, wa
| making desperate efforts to &c
money from other sources, i
known.
! He is said to have tried to inter
est Thomas w. Lawson Of "fren
zied finance" fame, in his whirl
, wind business.
Only the bare facts of Ponzi'
great bubble have been disclosed
When the whole story is told off
cials believe it will be the mos
startling disclosure OF financis
manipulations in the history OF tn
United States.
Had 10000 Investors.
ALI New England awaited wit
keenest interest today further de
velopments in connection with th
: crash of Charles Ponzi's dreaI
5 castle OF finance to the building {
which 10000 investors are allege
I to have contributed from $4,000. .00
to $50, ,O00. 900 and federal and sta.
officials continued with renewe
vigor their investigations with
view to disclosing every ramifics
ton of the affair.
Legal steps to protect Ponzi
I note e-holders continued to be take
today.
The belief was expressed at Al
torney General ]. Weston Allen
iofYice that it would be possible
compel persons who cashed the
. Ponxi notes with interest previol
to the crash to return the none
; for pro-rata distribution among a
: the creditors. Representatives
= the attorney general are making
, study Of this angle OF the situatio
{ working on the theory that Il
money distributed by Ponzi, vi
stolen and 30 can be pursued n
. recovered anywhere.
Handreas q Agents.
{. The attorney general also 10 q
:. deavoring % find legal means 4
proceeding against Ponxi's asen
., OF whom he believes there We
= d - =