The Merchants' National Bank Trial

TACOMA, Aug. 14.—[Special.]—The trial of Walter J. Thompson, Henry Drum, Samuel Colliver and A. J. Davis, former officers of the Merchants' National Bank, now in a receiver's hands, was begun today in the Federal circuit court before Judge Gilbert. They are charged with misapplying funds and credits of the bank and making false entries in the books. A jury was secured and several witnesses examined. District Attorney Brinker is conducting the prosecution. The defendants have retained several of the most prominent legal firms in the state. Judge Hanford was here in the morning, but owing to his intimate knowledge of the case and the accused, did not desire to sit. Four residents of Tacoma were drawn on the jury; the entire list was John W. Berry, John Conna, W. L. Lindsey, D. L. Laughlin, Gilbert Hulbrouk, J. G. Chambers, James B. Shelton, William Goodnight, Benjamin Thomson, E. R. Martin, J. H. Manley and Andrew J. Miller. The introduction of certain bank books of record was objected to, but the objection was overruled. The testimony today was largely given up to showing that the entries of the notes alleged to have been placed there for the purpose of deceiving the examiner had been recorded as stated in the indictment. The subsequent use made of the notes has not been traced, and upon such subsequent use it is expected to show whether any irregularities were contemplated.