BAIL GRANTED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 230, 28 August 1937, Page 9

BAIL GRANTED.

JOHN MONTAGUE’S CASE. ELIZABETH TOW T N (New York), Aug. 26. Four hundred spectators, including the film actor. Mr Otto Kruger, packed the tiny Courtroom and heard the Judge grant bail of 25.000 dollars to John Montagu®, despite the District Attorney’s vigorous opposition. Tho Judge said: “Montague resembles Jean Valjean. He appears to have worked out a complete reformation and become a useful, respected and distinguished citizen.” MYSTERY GOLFER. MONTAGUE’S STORY. “I w.as a golf caddy at the age of 10 at Clayton, an exclusive course in New York State,” John Montague, Hollywood’s mystery golfer, told the Sydney Daily Telegraph recently. Alleged by police to be identical with Laverne Moore, who is wanted for a roadhouse hold-up in New York State seven years ago, Montague is awaiting trial. . , , “I began life without many advantages, and I had to fend-for myself, Montague continued. “Now my life is golf. I live by it, and it has brought me my friends. Since this trouble loomed up, all sorts of famous people have aided me. I have a crowd of loyal and wonderful friends. “I trained with a crack baseba 1 team, and I was going to sign up with them, but I got in with pals who were ‘doing some business,’ and I was tool enough to join them. That finally landed me in trouble seven years ago. MANY TALL STORIES. “Many tall stories have been told about me. It is true that I once killed with a brassie shot a bird perched oil a telephone wire. Tournament golf is my next step after this trouble is settled. I have friends in England who want me to play there. , , , “I am not terribly perturbed about the hold-up charge I have to face. This is not the end of John Montague by a long chalk.” Montague was described by ms lawyer, Jerry Giesler, as “a modem Enoch Arden.” Montague said Giesler, is legally dead in New York, because for seven years he has been beyond tlie knowledge of the law. Governor Merriam heard in private argument against extradition of Montague to New York. “This man has been reborn into life without a blei ish,” Giesler declared. ‘He is not merely merchandise to be shipped back. We have here human cargo—a man who lives and breathes.” Montague laughed loudly <at this point. “This man lias built up, under a new name a new man with a new soul, Giesle'r went on. “How can society benefit by sending him back to become a felon?” The Governor said that he would announce his decision later, the extradition order being subsequently granted. ___