The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-18

their place Of business, to cut down
expenses as the girl is quoted as
saying.
In Grafton, the Walsh county COM
6eaunity where Sprague was born and
raised-where he was looked up to
as a civic leader-where he had es-
tablished his home and where his
wife and two daughters reside-the
news of his arrest created furore
Friday, closely approaching that
which was created by the discovery
that he had disappeared more than
Is months ago.
Friends to Offer Aid
Last night, friends at Grafton
were said to be prepared to come to
Fargo with an offer to provide the
necessary bail to effect his release
until such time as he may be
brought into court to face the
charges that are laid against him
those of making false entries upon
the books of the bank, and Of max
ing false statements Of the condition
Of the institution.
Sprague, "A years Of age, risen to
high position in the affairs Of the
state, lieutenant colonel Of the 164th
infantry, North Dakota National
guard, left his home by automobile
with the explanation that he was
going to an army officers training
school at Omaha for 10 days
His father, Frank Sprague, was
not in Grafton. He had spent the
winter in California, and was en-
route home. To the father Man
vile had dispatched letter, receiv-
ed by the father subsequent to his
arrival home.
Immediately the national bank 49,
aminers were called in, the bank
was closed, and incident thereto the
affairs of the Grafton Rollers Mills
were brought under scrutiny and
that institution also was closed.
Mill Found Insolvent
This latter institution was found
to be insolvent.s It's manager. Henry
Eegers, a 5rother-in-law Of Man
vile Sprague, and a director in the
bank, was found to have made very
heavy loans from the bank for the
mills. Subsequently indicted Egg
gers successfully fought against
conviction on the charge Of con-
spring with Manville to defraud the
bank.
Officials who traced Sprague's
movements following his departure,
found that he had driven by auto
mobile to Gran Forks. That he had
made extensive plans for decampin4
was apparent when it was found
that he had especially equipped his
automobile to be used for camping.
Miss Burris, the officials found,
had gone to Grand Forks the day
that Sprague left home. Supposedly
she Joined him there, and from that
point nothing was heard Of them
until their arrest Friday.
The girl, about 80 years old, is q
resident Of Conway, in Walsh coun-
ty, where her parents reside.
Sprague, it was expected, would be
arraigncd today in Norfolk before 4
United States commissioner, on the
warrant charging him with being q
fugitive from justice. This pro-
cedure, however, is regarded as q
mere formality, Sprague to be held
until the receipt Of the certified
copies Of the North Dakota indict-
mcnt, when the United States mar
shall for the Norfolk district is ex-
pected to bring Sprague to Fargo.
sPRAGUE MYSTERY
PUZZLED OFFICIALS
Fargo, N. D.. Aug. 1e.-(R-Re-
ports received here Tuesday that
Manville Sprague, former lieutenant
colonel Of the North Dakota national
guard regiment and former promi-
nent banker Of Grafton vas apprc-
hended at Norfolk, Va, ended q
mystery which has long puzzled Of.
ficials here.
Sprague disappeared from his
home May "a, 1927, shortly before
the First Nations Bank OF Grafton
Of which he was officer was ordered
closed. It is charged that an exam.
nation Of the books Of he institu.
ton disclosed alleged false entries
for hich Sprague is held respon.
sible.
Advices from rolice officials IN
Norfolk wer, to the effect that
Sprague was held for department Of
Justice officers by United States
Marshal Smithers and that the de.
PENDANT is said to have been living
there. The charge against him 6
'missapplicati0n Of $2.312.3O." !,