The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-18
GRAFTON BANK
CASHIER FOUND
RUNNING STORE
Married Former Stenographes
in Kentucky, Then Went
to Norfolk
SOLD CANDY FOR LIVING
Refuses to Discuss Details:
Says Worry Caused Him
to Leave

to Leave
Norfolk, Va, Aug. 1s.-Re
Trailed for more than q year by IN
agent Of the United States depart.
ment Of justice seeking to apprehend
him for alleged missapplication of
$2,312.60 when he was cashier Of the
First National Bank Of Grafton. N.
D., Manville Hewitt Sprague, A, was
arrested here Friday at the request
OF an agent Of the department Of
justice.
Sprague, found living with his
wife, formerly Miss Martha Burrus.
a stenographer in the bank with
whom he fled in May, 1927, when he
said certain affairs Of the bank got
out Of his control, declined to 70 into
details Of the trouble leading to his
arrest or his flight. He indicated.
however, that he will return without
q fight to face the charges now
pending against him.
Nov that they have me-" he said.
Il am going to 60 back and face
trial. ! feel that everything will
come out all right. understand
that the charge is smissapplication
Of funds there is truth in that. per-
haps, but I do not wish to 20 into
any details about it. The bank is .
family bank and I was associated
with my father and brother there.
Loans Too Big
THE charge Of missapplication
grew out of my loaning more
money to certain firms than thew
were permitted to have.
Things had been going on like
that for some time hack and ~
whole matter had me worried almoet
to death. I wish now that I had
stayed and fought it out but we
often do the thing under strain that
we would not do otherwise. I want
to 90 back now and get it over with"
Sprague said he left Grafton when
he thought matters had gotten be-
yond his control and that he had
taken Miss Burrus with him. Thev
were married in Kentucky, although
he did not remember the exact place.
he said. Coming to Norfolk about a
year ago they opened a little con.
fectionery store from which they
have derived a living.
Sprague will be given a hearing
before Commissioner Stephenson be-
fore his return to North Dakota il
ordered. but the time Of hearing had
not been set.
Created Mystery
Disappearance Of Manville
Sprague from his home in Grafton
shortly before the doors of the insti.
tuition were closed on May "a. 1927.
created one of the biggest mysteries
this state has experienced in wears.
Sprague was prominent in social
fraternal circles throughout the
state, was lieutenant colonel Of the
state national guard regiment and
had host Of friends.
First explanations Of his disap.
pearance were that he had suffered
q nervous breakdown and had be.
come temporarily irresponsible.
Later 1t was said that q girl EN-.
ploye OF the closed bank had disap.
peared with Sprague, who was mar.
ried and had grown children. Which
explanation was correct and
Sprague's whereabouts remained :
complete mystery and If any trace
OF him was discovered it was not
made public. Investigation Of the
affairs Of the bank, however, 70.
vealed heavy shortages and these
were made the basis for the CHARGES
which have been filed against
Sprague.
The long-established solidity Of
the Sprague bank and the promi-
nence Of Sprague and his father in
the affairs Of the state for many
years made the closing Of the bank
a sensational incident from the
standpoint Of many North Dakotans.
Sprague said he left Grafton when
he thought matters had gotten be-;
yond his control and that he had
taken Miss Burris with him. Thev
were married in Kentucky, he said.
although he did not remember ~
exact place. Coming to Norfolk
about . year ago, they operated Z
little confectionery store. from which
they have derived living. Although
he had been listed in the Norfolk
directory under the name Of sAGan.
field Sprigg," and was known ct his
place OF business by that name, he
said he had never changed his name.
II have had to keep on the jump
trying to avoid friends who came
through here, especially some in the
army" he said. II did not change
my name though"
What he will do with the little
store now that he is to be returned
to North Dakota, he was unable to
say tonight.
TO q Norfolk newspaper reporter
who called 1T the Spraeue apartment
the girl who was known In Norfolk
. his wife-though Sprague was
married and has two daughters -.
siding in Grafton whom hs abandon
cd when he disappeared-insistsd ~
was guilty Of no wrong.
"Not 70 Blame" Girl 0ays
"I'm sure he is not 70 blamo,s = sA6
ID quoted - saying, refusine o IN.
| pity her declaration othog t1oa =
say that he had mo hand II tAo nsies
application Of the bankss 8un6a = ~
that she and Sprague haA I'm
North Dakota more than : So
ago" q
II an sure dont kasw NAet =
do now" she conttnuo6. SAoY
would not let No - Mn toa1
but ] suppose now thok ] v3U ~
(ceatinaa4 - paeq MllA