Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 259, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 March 1929 — Page 1

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HAAG MURDER JURY TO GET CASETONIGHT State Strikes Hard at Two Alleged Slayers as Trial Nears Close. GHERE IS ON STAND Arguments in McDonald Hearing Expected to End This Evening. The state struck hard at the alleged murderers of Wilkinson Haag, Haag Drug Company official, as the trial of one of them, Rupert McDonald, Chicago, drew near an end today in criminal court. Court will remain in session tonight until the case is turned over to the jury,- Judge James A. Collins announced. The defense rested at 10 a. m. when Prosecutor Judson L. Stark finished a grilling cross-examina-tion of Lawrence Ghere, also waiting trial for the Haag murder May 17. 1926. at the Green Mill barbecue. Lawrence Ghere, who Monday grandly took the stand over objections of his attorney, Lloyd Claycombe, to attempt to save his alleged pal, today fell back on silence as the state attack shifted to him. State Bares Trump Card The state produced a trump card when M. O. Rassmussen, 1051 Eugene street, took the stand as a rebuttal witness. McDonald, Ghere and Arthur McClelland, whom the state contends drove the car which took the other two from the murder scene, were in Indianapolis in September, 1926, he said. He saw: the three together early in September, he said. On Sept. 28, 1926, McClelland took him to a room in the Spink-Arms. from whicn McDonald came and talked to McClelland. he said. At that time he was a salesman for the Armacost Automobile Company and had gone to the hotel to see about a Stutz car they had taken the day before for a tryout and not returned. Later he was paid $1,900 in SIOO bills for the car, he said. Ghere Shields McDonald McDonald has testified he went to California in August, 1926, and was there until his arrest a few months ago. Recalled to the stand today he denied being in Indianapolis, having a room at the Spink-Arms in September or knowing Rassmussen. Ghere Monday told the jury: “McDonald was not at the Green Mill barbecue May 17.” Today he refused to tell the jury how he knows McDonald was not there. “Was McDonald with you May 17, 1926, when Haag was shot and killed?” was the first question Prosecutor Stark asked when court opened. Ghere remained silent. •‘Were you there?” Stark asked. “I refuse to answer without advice of attorney ” said Ghere. Refuses to Answer Then followed an argument among the attorneys in which Claycombe stated he had advised against Ghere taking the stand and Eph Inman, McDonalds attorney, declared he had forced Ghere to the stand. “I'm not going to answer any more questions. I’ll endanger my constitutional rights,” Ghere finally said. Disregarding Ghere’s refusal to answer, Stark questioned Ghere about each point in the state’s theory of the crime that McDonald, McClelland and Ghere saw Haag wearing his $l,lOO diamond ring at the Kentucky derby at Louisville and followed him here; that McClelland stayed in their automobile while McDonald and Ghere staged the hold-up in which Ghere fired the death shot. Ghere remained silent or grunted "nos.” Waving a statement which the state declares Ghere signed when arrested at Englewood, N. J., Stark asked. “You signed a statement in Englewood saying you shot Haag, didn’t you?” Two More Witnesses Ghere remained silent, as he did later, when Stark asked: “Didn't you also say in the statement that you had gotten a sprained wrist a few years before, that Haag hit that wrist and the gun went off and Haag fell.” Ghere answered, "No sir,” when Stark ending his quiz asked, “Wouldn't you like to help McDonald some more.” The state was to offer two more rebuttal witnesses this afternoon. With two hours and a half for argument for each side the case likely will go to the jury about 8 p. m. 8 HURT"IN TRAIN CRASH HELENA, Ark., March 19.—W. K. Faust, McGehee, Ark., engineer, was killed and eight persons injured when an east-bound Missouri Pacific passenger train collided with a freight train seven miles west of here late Monday. Faust was crushed underneath the locomotive. HOURLY TEMPERATURES t a. m 42 10 a. m 52 la. m.... 43 11 a. m....* 54 8 a. m.... 47 12 m 55

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The Indianapolis Times Partly cloudy, possibly with light showers tonight followed by fair Wednesday; cooler.

VOLUME 40 —NUMBER 259

Cupid Guides Interview

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Last year Catherine Hoffman, reporter, interviewed Hugh Allan, screen actor, on the subject of love. The interview was a great success, as the two have just announced their engagement. Allan is the son of an Oakland (Cal.) contractor.

FEAR GIRL IS KIDNAPVICTIM Search for Pretty Child in Dunes Area Is Futile. Bn United Press MICHIGAN CITY, Ind.. March 19. —Search was to be resumed today for pretty 15-year-old Marion Smith, Chesterton high school girl, missing for more than a w T eek. The girl disappeared while hiking along a highway in the dunes section. Two parties of the local post of the American Legion made a search of the surrounding countryside Monday, but their efforts proved futile. Milton Smith, father of the girl, led a party of fourteen who searched the wooded section in this vicinity, but to no avail. Numerous clews have been advanced as to the girl's fate, but until present all have proved baseless. The girl accepted a ride and was kidnaped, or wandered out into the dunes and became lost, authorities believe. FIGHT OFFICE FIRE Transportation Building Is Blaze Scene; Loss S3OO. Fire, which at first was believed to have spread under the entire roof of the Transportation building, South and Delaware streets, threatening destruction of the building, was confined by firemen to a small section of an inacessible attic this morning. Damage was estimated at about S3OO. The fire, believed started by defective wiring, broke out in a space under the roof of the structure cut off from the remainder of the building when a serious fire destroyed the roof four years ago. Burning the heavy tar roofing material the flames gave off great clouds of black smoke which filled the inacessible compartment and filtered through crevices giving the impression the entire roof was ablaze. REOPEN BLUFFTOTbANK Union Trust Company Resumes Business Thursday. By Times Special BLUFFTON, Ind., March 19.—Reopening of the Union Trust Company of this city Thursday with the same officers and directorate was announced today. The opening of the bank leaves j only two of the Wells county de- ; positories closed. The bank was closed March 1 as an emergency measure. No losses were suffered by depositors of the institution.

‘POSSE’ CHASES ESCAPED PRIZE CHOW AROUND BLOCK 3 HOURS FOR $lO

ZING, reddish brown Chinese chow, stuck in nose high in the air at the Cleveland dog show today to show his disdain for those common, ordinary blue blood canines with whom his accident of thoroughbred birth made it necessary for him to associate. Zing might have justifiably barked: They haven't been anywhere and they haven't seen anything.” Few Zing had an adventure Monday —one that will compensate him for many, many long days of being combed, perfumed, benbboned and pawed over qy curi-

King by Crust

B n United Press WASHINGTON, March 19. Lieutenant Robert H. Rhoades, marine corps aviator, was king of a Haitian island for a day, when after being stranded there by a forced landing, a fellow aviator dropped him food in which was included a custard pie which he gave to the natives. He was made king for giving “food from the gods,” but renounced his throne to depart by boat the next day, the navy department has been advised.

6 INJURED IN CRASH Blinded by Headlights, Drives Into Pole. Blinding headlights from another motor car caused injuries to six persons early this morning on state Road 67 near Oaklandon when an auto driven by Fred Burks, Hilham, Tenn., crashed into a telephone pole and was overturned. The injured in addition to the driver of the car, are: -Jack Green, Buna Green and Dinswood Green, all of Moss, Tenn., Michael Langford, Celiifa, Tenn., and Henry Leonard, Toledo. They suffered cuts and bruises. They were given emergency treatment by Dr. R. R. Morgan, McCordsville, who was called to the scene of the accident. Burks told county officers that he was driving west of Road 67 in a Chevrolet coach when the glare from the headlights of a car approaching from the opposite direction caused him to lose control. SET DATE OF OUTING Democrats to Hold Annual Event June 7, 8. Annual midsummer outing of the Indiana Democratic feditorial Association will be held Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, at Lake James, R. Earl Peters, Democratic state chairman, announced' today. All of Potawatami Inn and several adjoining cottages have been engaged for the event, which will be attended by Democratic editors, publishers, party leaders and their wives. Claude G. Bowers, editorial writer for the New York World, keynote speaker at the 1928 national Democratic convention, is being sought as principal speaker for the annual banquet to be held Friday night, June 7. Lew Ellingham. publisher of the Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette of which Bowers formerly was editor. is endeavoring to bring Bowers to the outing The Democratic state committee will meet simultaneously with the editorial association. Peters announced

ous heedless crowds shuffling past his pen. Back in Indianapolis other characters in “Zing's” adventure rubbed liniment on aching, long unused muscles and hoped the dog was having a good time about it—they weren't. sen ZING was displayed at the Hoosier Kennel Club show at Tomlinson hall Friday. Saturday and Sunday by his owner, Bert Ray of Cincinnati. Ray had Zing entered in the Cleveland show and at 8 Monday morning went to the Lincoln hotel baggage room

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1929

RELIEF ARMY AIDS ALABAMA FLOOD REGION Work of Housing Thousands of Homeless Biggest Problem. DISASTER PEAK PAST /* Disease Peril Grows Less; Death List Officially Set at 100. Ev United Press MONTGOMERY, Ala., March 19. —Governor Bibb Graves announced early today he believed the state’s flood disaster has passed its peak and that the great problem remaining w r as the immediate housing of the thousands of homeless left by the receding waters. Reports from several flood sections indicated there was little fear of more deaths. The Alabama river, though out of its banks and flooding the lowland cotton fields of Wilcox county, will cause no such damage as was wrought by the rushing Pea river in the Geneva-Elba district, it was thought. Roads Washed Out At Camden, in the heart of the new flood district, residents reported by telephone that though roads were washed out, they did not contemplate leaving their homes. The section is populated almost entirely by Negro cotton farmers. The number of homeless from the Geneva-Elba district is estimated at 10,000; from the Brewton-Flomaton district, 5,000; all other districts, 10,000. The loss to both districts in improved real estate and personal loss is estimated at $30,000,000. The number of persons dead officially is placed at approximately 100. ' . .. . . These figures, it was said last night, might be augmented considerably by full reports fiom Georgia and Florida, some sections of which still face an acute situation. Disease Menace Fades

The danger of spread of disease the districts returning to normal rapidly is diminishing according to reports from state health officials. The fear typhoid might develop seems to have been unfounded, but as a precaution the waters in the Elba-Geneva section have been chlorinated and the -work of removing contaminating debris irom the streets is being rushed by national guardsmen. Looting is at an end according to Colon*! W. E. Persons. Martial law enectually stopped it. Briefly, rescue operators are being carried on as follows: Food: (bread, canned meat and milk) is being canned to isolated spots by plane and dropped oy parachute to the needy. The same proceedure is taken with bedclothing, clothing, tents, and medicine. The planes are mostly from Langley Field, Va., and Maxwell Field, Ala. Many Aid Relief In the Georgia section, efforts are being made by the United States coast guard to navigate the swollen rivers with low-draft patrol boats with the same material as carried to the Alabama sections with planes. Shelter will be provided by tents delivered by plane and eventually by a rehabilitation program to be carried out by Governor Graves. Temporary shelter is offered in all refugee camps. All operators are under direction of the National Red Cross and the Alabama National Guard. They are being assisted by various fraternal and civic organization volunteers. Florida Situation Acute Northwest Florida presents one acute situation today. The Caryville and Milligan sections still are under several feet of water. All residents reached high ground before the waters rose. It is these people the coast guard patrols are serving with food, clothing and shelter. The Yellow river was reported falling Monday night at Milligan. In Georgia, the village of Newton still is flooded, its 400 residents safely on high ground outside the town. In Alabama. Selma still is flooded. Late Monday the Alabama river at this point was at a fifty-six-foot stage. According to reports reaching here, however, the condition is well in hand. The east half of the , city is under water, the inhabitants of that side being cared for by residents of the western half.

to see how Zing had fared the night in his wooden cage. Zing had m >de a night of it. Just as Ray sfi ried to look over, Zing took the Iwst bite out of a wooden bar he had been gnawing and bounded into Kentucky avenue. “Ten dollars for the man who catches that dog. he's valuable,” shouted Ray. Porters, bell hop.-, taxicab drivers and others within hearing formed the posse. Zing had sauntered across Illinois street, disdainful of the new traffic regulations and cut diagonally out to show his further cLa-

Martyr Dies Bit United Press LONDON, March 19.—A tale, of sacrifice was reported today in a dispatch from South Africa to the London Daily Express, stating Dr. Hauptfleish, who has been fighting the bubonic plague in the Colesbrook area, was among the new victims of the epidemic. Hauptfleish, a district surgeon, was believed to have pricked himself w T ith an infected instrument.

FIND SALESMAN DEAD IN AUTO Bullet Wound in Head of Jeffersonville Man. Ey United Press JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind., March 19.—Authorities today investigated the finding of Jacob Daub, 49, salesman, dead with a bullet in his head in his automobile near here. Asa Coombs, county coroner, said he had not determined whether Daub was murdered or took his own life. An automatic revolver, said to be similar to one he previously bad borrowed, was found on the floor of the automobile, one shot havingbeen fired. Ed Daub, the man's father, expressed the belief that his son had been robbed and then murdered. save Tat sea, adrift WEEK: NO FOOD, WATER Men Trying to Cross Atlantic In - Life Boat Picked Up. (By Radio to the United Press) ABOARD THE S. S. MARQUES COMILLA. AT SEA. March 19Cap t. John Juter Schuttervaer, of Holland, and two companions, were picked up at sea by the S. S. Marques Comilla this morning after they had spent seven days adrift in the life boat Schuttervaer without food or fresh water. The men. who were attempting to cross the Atlantic ocean from Rotterdam to New York in the open boat, were in a serious condition. The three men left Rotterdam in the lifeboat “Schuttervaer” months ago in an effort to prove the seaworthiness of the craft which the captain had built. They touched sevei'al European ports before striking out across the ocean for New York. PARTY DRIVE WINS 25 Counties Contribute to Democratic Fund. Twenty-five Indiana counties have contributed their quote, to the treasury of the Democratic state committee. assuring success to the financial plan adopted by the committee early this year, State Chairman R. Earl Peters said today. Under this plan county organizations pay $lO a year for each delegate they sent to the la-st state convention. A fund of $11,960 will be raised annually under the plan if all counties respond 100 per cent. VENUS, 25,000 YEARS ' OLD, GIVEN MUSEUM Twelve-Inch Tooth of Prehistoric Elephant Among Field Exhibits. By United Press CHICAGO, March 19.—A cast of a Venus of 25,000 years ago, believed to have been carved by a man of the Aurignacian period, has arrived at the Field Museum of Natural History. Count De St. Perier of Morigny Par Etampes, Seine-Et-Oise, France, donated- the gift, which was dug up at Lespuge, France. Another valuable gift was a twelve-inch tooth, belonging to prehistoric period Columbian elephant. It was found near Port Townsend. Wash., and presented by Dr. Mabel B Easter of Portland, Ore. BANIT WOMEN ELECT ; Mildred Garns Chosen President of Fletcher Club. Officers of the Fletcher Trust Women's Club’were elected Monday night at a meeting of women employes of the bank in the company’s offices at Market and Pennsylvania t streets. The officers are: Mildred Garns, president; Elizabeth Vietmeier, first vice-president: Lilian Reinfels. second vice-president, Gertrude Freihage. secretary, and Marie Haley, ! treasurer.

regard for legal restrictions by walking between the legs of Traffieman Willard Grant, before the posse got fairly under way. an u 5f ING was almost to the Apollo J theater before he discovered he was followed. One glimpse at Robert Welch, doorman of the Lincoln, who head the pursuers, his gorgeous coat tails flapping in tiie breeze he created, and Zing got down to footwork in earnest. The posse kept sight of Zing to the Federal building, three blocks away. Then the chase became something like a dance marathon —round and round.

Kntered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

OIL SPECULATION CRAZE BLAMED FOR RUIN BY SULLIVAN BANK FUGITIVE James M. Lang Comes Home Down Trail of Disgrace; Shattered in Health, Broken in Spirit; Declares Crash in Sinclair Stocks Sank Institution STARTLING DISCLOSURES IN CASE PREDICTED Refuses to Admit Indiana Politicians Are Linked in p 0 May Talk Further Before Grand Jury; Faces $60,000 Embezzling Charge

Down the trail of disgrace, shattered in health, broken in spirit, James M. Lang, 73, fugitive Sullivan banker, came home today. He returned as silently as he fled a year ago, leaving behind him a trail of ruin, a wrecked reputation, and charges of embezzling more than $60,000. The story of his ruin can tx told in this word of one syllable—oil— Lang admitted today. The craze for speculation which swept this section of the country when Sinclair stocks were the one best bet and the crash of the mar-

MURDER HINT IS PROBED BY POLICE

Deputy Coroner Leans to Foul Play Theory in Canal Death. Detectives today sought evidence to determine whether Walter Duderstadt, 34, of 3139 Boulevard place, a World war veteran, whose body was found in the canal near Twenty-fifth street Monday, killed himself or was murdered.. Members of his family denied reports that Duderstadt, missing since Feb. 2. ever had threatened suicide. The dead man, some time before his disappearance, in discussion of a newspaper suicide story, had declared. “I’d never do a thing like that, although I am worried because I don’t have work,” his brother Frank, 23. said. The brother, Frank, identified the bodv late Monday" at the Royster & Askin funeral parlors, 1902 North Meridian street, where funeral parlors, 1902 North Meridian street, where funeral services will be held at 3 this afternoon. Murder Is Suspected According to Deputy Coroner O. H. Bakemeier, Duderstadt was dead when his body entered the canal. “I am not going to say the man was murdered, but death was not due to drowning,” Bakemeier said. He will report to Coroner Keever that violence of some nature caused a contusion over the right eye and marks on the throat which he stated shows “the man had been choked. ’ Appearan'ces point to murder, Bakemeier indicated. Duderstadt had 60 cents and carmorning of his disappearance to visit Dr. O. L. Stephenson in the Marion buildmg, 10 West Ohio stret, members of his family said. Dr. Stephenson declared he did not come to the office that day and stated that the illness for which he was treating Dudersadt was “nothing to be alarmed over.” Money Still in Pocket .Duderstadt had 60 cents and carfare in his pocketbook when he left home, his brother said. That amount of money and three car tokens were found on the body, indicating he was not robbed. Duderstadt served nineteen months in the American army during the war, but did not go overseas. He was a city park board employe, working on municipal golf links until last fall, and had been unable to find work since. Besides the brother, Frank, his mother and another brother, Emil, 35, survive him.

Zing led his pursuers around the Federal building block four times before he struck off on a tangent through a few alleys by way of variety. Biute speed having failed the posse, upon advice of Welch, William Carriger. Lincoln head porter and Arnold Zander. Lincoln bell captain, tried strategy. Zing stooped his headlong flight but refused to listen to pleading, coaxing. bribery and cajolery, always keeping just out of arms reach. Back and forth the chase went, all through the northeast section of the business district, for three and a half hours.

ket in later months, engulfed his institution, the Citizens Trust Company, and other banks of Sullivan county. Lang declared. Hint Startling Disclosures Despite the rumors which have implicated men high in the councils of the nation in the pools formed at that time, Lang refused today to admit that any of the leading politicians from Indiana were involved. Haw ever, friends hinted that lie might have some startling disclosures to make later, when he is questioned by the grand jury here. Even in defeat there was in Lang a flare of the old domineering, arrogant fire that made him the first citizen of Sullivan for years. Hungry, shabby, weary though he was, Lang declared that he would fight to prove that he was guiltless

Final Stages Bjr United press NEW YORK, March 19. William A. Brady, theatrical producer, gives the legitimate stage but three more years to live. He told the Actors Equity Association at its meeting that the motion pictures were making all the money—hence the doom.

REPORT FOCH SINKING Marshal Steadily Losing Strength, Doctors Say. By United Press PARIS, March 19—Marshal Ferdinand Foch steadily was losing strength today, physicians announced. The famous war-time generalissimo spent a better night, but he was so weak this morning that his barber was unable to shave him. The barber was .instructed to discontinue his regulat calls at the marshal’s home until notified to return. BUS CRASH HURTS 3 Coach, Two Autos Collide; Machines Damaged. Three persons were injured, none seriously, when a Peoples Motor Coach Company bus and two automobiles collided at Twenty-eighth and Delaware streets at 12:30 a. m. today. The bus, driven by Paul H. Peck, 1808 North Illinois street, was south bound and the two cars were east bound. A Marmon driven by Louis Rainier, 25, of 2716 Sutherland avenue, turned over. Rainier was taken to St. Vincent's hospital with side injuries believed to be slight. The other car in the crash, a Ford, was driven by Robert J. Hughes, 23, of Grand Rapids, Mich., who is staying at 2063 Park avenue. All three machines were badly damaged. Peck's arm was bruised and H. A. McGail, 38, of 4409 Baltimore avenue bus passenger, received a sprained ankle. Peck declared the drivers of the two cars failed to stop at Delaware street.

THE end came at 11:'. a. m. when Zing, apparently deciding he had been everywhei a and seen everything, sauntered down the stairs leading to the Kahn cafeteria at Meridian and Washington streets. Zander was the first to reach him. He carried the dog back to Ray and collected the ten dollars. Back at the hotel a rueful doorman patted down the gorgeous coat tails, all but whipped ta tatters by the wind, and ruminated to the taxi-drivers: “Tall goes to show you can’t trust a dog that wears a moustache.”

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of the theft of bonds as charged by William Abbott, former Sullivan man. now a resident of Texas. Following Lang's disappearance in 1928. Abbott filed a claim against the bank for the bonds, which he asserted had been placed in safe keeping there with Lang. Victim of Circumstances Abbott had withdrawn the bonds before lie left Sullivan. Lang contended today, declaring also that he could show a receipt for the withdrawal. The Abbott claim and the resultant suit were the immediate causes of the closing of the bank. Belief that Lang will defend himself as a “victim of circumstances” and the problematical defense that will involve other men is seen, as preparations are made to bring the grand jury out of recess to hear the story of the man who was urged to return to Sullivan by his friends and “clear it all up.” Released on Bond Released on a bond signed by his friends, the aged banker told today of his wanderings in Ohio, North and South Carolina, and his return here from Spartanburg. S. C. There he was employed as a hotel clerk. He told how at one time, destitute, he took employment as a filling station attendant at Florence, S. C. Importuned by friends ho met in Knoxville, Tehn., he agreed to return to “face the music,” Monday night he arrived in Vincennes and completed the trip by auto to Sullivan. He was met by Weslay Williams, Sullivan county sheriff, and Richard Bailey, former president of the Citizens Trust Campany. Lang was questioned at length throughout the trip, but the result of the questioning w T as not revealed. Key to Series of Crashes The alleged irregularities in the trust company, which was closed Feb. 23, 1928, and thrown into receivership, were said to total $15,000 in forged notes and possibly $5,000 in cash. With the return of Lang, state banking officials hope to lift the lid off of a mystery box that holds the key to a series of bank crashes ia Sullivan county. It is believed that Lang can open the doors to deals that involve the defunct First State Bank of Shelbum and the episodes that tripped over themselves in the death of Edgar D. Maple, vice-president of the People’s National Bank and Trust Company, and the conviction as an embezzler of Jessup P- Bolinger, president of the First Stats Bank of Shelbum. Florida Fiasco in Tangle In the tangled skein of oil, real estate and bonds, which involves these Sullivan county bankers, there is twisted, too, the snarl of a Florida land fiasco. Three figures prominent in Indiana politics are said to be involved in this welter of oil deals, bank closings, and bursting land bubbles, through two notes,. said to be for $5,000 and $2,500, signed by a United States senator, an Indiana representative in congress, and a Terre Haute politician, given for shares in a Florida land development company, which shows no further signs of life. These two notes, it is expected, will be listed among the assets of Bolinger, by his attorney. Lee F. Bays of Sullivan, in the bankruptcy proceedings brought by the former bank president’s creditors. This list of assets was due to have been filed March 8 with Everett Davisson of Clinton, federal referee in bankruptcy for southwestern Indiana. Bolingcr Confessed Bays obtained a ten-day extension because of the manner in which Bolingjr's assets were involved and was due to file the list Monday morning at 10 a. m He failed to do so and explained that he had not completed the total listing. Among the claimants are three banks, who are holding notes totaling about $200,000 which were forged by Bolinger. Within a few hours alter his arrest. Jan. 16 Bolinger confessed to the forgeries, and a week later was on his way to the state prison to sene a term of from two to fourteen years. Bolinger declared when brought before bank examiners and officials of the Shelburn bank to explain his forgeries that he began his forgery after dropping $35,000 on a “hot Up in 1923 to buy Sinclair OiL