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THO OWES THE DEBT. Dispute As to Liability for Cashier Atkins' Note. A TACOMA BANK THE CLAIMANT. First National Bank, of Whateam-The Gambling OrdinanceThe Cold Car Case. of the Commercial National lask, of Tacoma, to recover $10,000 with interest from George B. Blanchard, reof the First National bank, of Whatoriver = was on trial yesterday before Judge Hanford in the United States court. The hearing took up a good part of the day, and Among the witnesses were Judge Frank Allyn, president of the Commercial National bank, of Tacoma; C. M. Atkins, Internabler of the First National bank, of Whatcom; Grattan H. Wheeler, former president, and A. Bridgman, of the Commercial National bank, of Tacoma, and George B. Blanchard, receiver of the First National bank, of Whatcom. Judge Allyn and Mr. Bridgman testified that February 4, 1893, C. M. Atkins, seting for the First National bank, of Whatcom, borrowed $10,000 from the Commercial National, of Tacoma, and was to have repaid that sum, with 10 per cent. interest, in four months. In July they made a demand for the principal and interest, and again on October 5 the bank's claim was filed with George B. Blanchard, who had in the meantime been appointed receiver of the Whatcom bank, which had become insolvent. Atkins testified in behalf of the defendant and denied that the First National bank, of Whatcom, was in any way liable for the amount; that the bank did not receive any benefit from the money at all. He said that the Commercial Natione! bank loaned the money to him personally, and that it was so understood by all parties concerned. He swore that he borrowed the money for his own use, giving his personal stock in the Whatcom bank as security, and sent the $10,000 to the Chase National bank, of New York, in payment of a personal obligation. While on the stand Atkins read several letters written by him to the officers of the Commercial National bank, by which he endeavored to show that the loan was thoroughly understood by the contracting parties to be a personal matter and in no way concerned the bank as a corporation. He endeavored to show by OD# of the letters that when he remitted the note he instructed the Commercial National bank to credit it to the First National bank, of Whatcom, as deposited by "C. M. A." It was 6 o'clock last evening when Atkins' finished his testimony, and his crossamination was adjourned until next Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock. It will be remembered that a few weeks ago, after a long and tedious examination before Commissioner J. W. Spriggs in this city, Atkins was placed under bonds in the sum of $3,500 to stand trial upon a charge of misappropriating the funds of the First National bank, of Whatcom, while acting as its cashier. The books of the Whatcom bank were being examined yesterday by the United States grand jury, but for what purpose it could not be learned. It is said that a criminal charge has been filed against Atkins in connection with the case which is now on trial. Atkins said last evening that he was aware that the booksof the bank were being examined by the grand jury, but he did not express any fear of an indictment being returned against him. Said he: "I'm being persecuted, but I'll fight as long as I'm in the possession of my senses and have a copper left. They can't run out of the Esta
