Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-05-25
BANKER GETS
TERM IN PEN
AND S|O00F|NE
Waterman Draws Eighteen
Months to Three Years in
State Penitentiary at Boise
Judge Fines Roth, Young
Assistant Cashier, $500;
Dismiss Dempsey Charge

Maximum sentence of eighteen
months to three years Imprisonment
in the state penitentiary at Boise, and
a fine of $1,000, was meted out by
Judge Wallace N Scales to George
Waterman, former president of the de-
funct State Bank of Kamiah, in dis
trict court at Nezperce, Saturday, fol-
lowing Waterman IS conviction by a
jury of making false reports of the
condition of the Kamiah bank 10 the
state banking department.
EX-BANKER IN JAIL
Application of Waterman for bail,
pending filing of appeal to the state
supreme court, was denied aud the
former banker, who was identified
with string of banks in Idaho and
Washington, that failed, will be Ia
ken to the penitentiary to begin his
sentence. Immediately following his
conviction the former prominent f.
nancier was locked in cell in the
Lewis county Jail, to await the arrival
of guard from the states prison.
After ten jurors had been selected
for his trial, Leslie Roth, the young
former assistant cashier of the Kamiah
bank. also charged with making false
reports on the condition of the insti-
tuition, entered a plea of guilty be-
fore Judge Scales, and was fined $500,
which he paid.
Prosecuting Attorney Pennell said
he had, in studying the facts of the
case, found Roth committed the crime
when young in years and while in
Huauoad hxr haf
he thought Roth realized the serious
ness of his offense, and had suffered
enough already. The prosecuting at
torney asked for leniency.
S. 0. Tannahill, associate counsel
for the state in addressing the
court, said he knew Roth TO be
above the average in intelligence, and
among the best of citizens. His con
nection with the bank had been limit
ed owing to his age. and he had but
short time before returned from the
service. He had not the experience of
older officers, and the policy of the
bank was directed by other heads.
Mr.. Tannabill thought peni
Tertiary sentence would be an injus-
tice. He recommended that the court
impose one-half the maximum fine Of
$1,000, to pay costs of the action.
F. Z. Butler, Roth S attorney,
pointed out that the defendant had
come west from Minnesota when only
IL years old and taken place with
the bank, where he had been en-
ployed as bookkeeper. He took the
actions of those in authority at their
face value, and was invested with tn ?
title of assistant cashier only that he
might sign papers.
Judge Scales, in a fatherly talk be-
fore imposing the fine, said he
realized the young man was UNI
duly Influenced by those over him,
and he thought Roth had profted
by his experience, adding that the
penitentiary was poor school for
Young men.
DISMISS DEMPSEY CASE
On motion of Prosecuting Attorney
Pennell, of Lewis county, the case
against Ward L. Dempsey, cashier of
The Kamiah bank, was dismissed. |
Dempsey, also. was accused of falsi- !
lying reports to the state. During |
the trial of Waterman, Dempsey vir
tually turned state IS evidence.
Waterman was convicted by the
Jury after trial lasting two weeks,
during which much documentary evil
dence was introduced, to show that
reports the banker had made to the
state on condition of the Kamiah bank
We're false. A total of $50 exhibits
was introduced in the trial. The ,
hamlah bank was closed April 8,
is2l, and left hundreds of depositors
IN the Kamiah valley virtually penni-
less In more than a year since the
9ank closed, not single cent in divi-
qends has been paid the depositors.
deposits at the time the bank closed
were approximately $250,000
TRIAL STARTS MAY
trial of Waterman commenced May
:; Waterman was specifically accused
Vi making a false statement to the
state banking department on May IA,
liszO, of the condition of the bank at
'ne close of business May 4, 1920
. o o o o o o o o 8 o o o o o o O.