The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-21
Our st. Louis Corresv,ondence.

ST.. LOUIS, August IL, 1879
Startling Defalcat,on- Robbery of the Bank of MIS-
sosri of at least One Hundred and 7renty Tho,-
sand Doilars-Arrsst Of the late Paying Taier-
NeWs from the Plains Examination Of John n.
WtN for the Murder Of Thomas d. Hart-Ince,l-
-diarisn, $c. 3e.
The most startling defalcation of the kind ever
known in the west, was discovered, in this city,
last evening. A large draft, held by Messrs. Page
81 Bacon, having been presented to the Bank Of
the State Of Missouri for payment, short time be,
fore the closing Of that institution for the day, the
paying teller requested the delay Of few hours,
when, the draft was payable in gold and silver,
greater leisure would be allowed. Accordingly,
in the afternoon, the parties repaired to the bank
when IL was discovered that the key Of the vault
from which sucn funds were usually taken was
misplaced, or in the hands OF an absent officer Of
the bank. This circumstance induced the paying
teller 10 resort TO vault containing boxes of fo-
reign com. The first box opened, showed deficit
OF one bag OF ten thaer pieces; and the next of a
bag Of sovereigns-ihe whole deficit being nearly
thirteen thousand dollars. The president and di-
rectors were Immediately put in possession Of this
astounding intelligence-an examination of the
rest Of the boxes containing foreign gold was had,
and in thirtythree boxes, deficiency of one hun
dred and twenty thousand and seven hundred
dollars was ascertained. Time has not yet been
allowed for further progress in the examination,
vet there are reasons for believing that the
degradation was mainly confined 10 the foreign
money, that being kind but seldom resortcd 10
in meeting payments; and, moreover, much Of it
had been laid aside for reconage.
Suspicion AT once directed Itself towards the late
paying teller, the Rev. Nathaniel Chlds. He was
arrested, taken before Justice Butler, and required
TO give bonds. in the of ESQ 900. for HIS appear
snce for further exsmnstIon. on Wednesday, the
18th inst. The bond was filed by Messrs A. VIII
gus and ID. w. Alexander, and Mr. Childs was
released
The directory appear firmly convinced Of the de-
lnquency OF the accused, though II would seem
strange that suspicion not excited before.
Mr.. ChIlds, though few years ago in humble
circumstances, has latterly become apparently opu
lent has built splendid mansion, rides In fine
carnage, and has been remark able for his CHAIR
ties and his munhcence towards Sabbath Schools.
He has been an officer Of the bank ever since its
foundation, and has enjoyed the esteem Of all class
es Of people being kind, urbape, end, apparently,
truly plous. The cause Of Sabbath Schools has
particularly engaged his attention. and this very
day he was TO have preached the funeral sermon Of
Sabbath School teacher. Verify, IL this man be
guilty, who can be trusted 7 His rapidly improv-
ing wealth could alone have created suspicion that
all was not right with him, but this should have
been sufficient TO those who knew him well, to
have thought Of the possible Of its acquire
ment
All the funds of the bank were counted by the
directors last winter, and he gold required for
use, was sealed up IN boxes she amour, marked
on each lid, and the names Of the examining direc-
tors placed thereon. All the boxes opened were of
the latter DESCRIPTION, and the re-seaing was done
I'm an apparently hasty manner IL Is but sheer JUS
tee TO Mr.. Childs, however, to state, that among
tome "outsiders'' there 10 a suspicion against an
other officer Of the bank. as well against an ex-
director. 49,
:Senta Re and Chihushus, though no later than
previously received, being to June 4th, from
the former place only The chole ra had created
great devastation among the Camanches, Kiowas,