The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-12
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
The Central National Bank Loses $780,
coO-Circumstanees OF the Crime His
tory OF Sanford, tho Cashier.
Tee New York Sun. Of Friday. says:

lee new 10fK Sun, Oh cfluays sAys.
Mr. William d. Sanford, cashier Of the Gen.
trail National Bank Of this city, is detaulter to
tie bank in the amount Of 400 600, and ls
ue,tive from justlce, leaving behind him a
name hitherto irreproachable, but now dis
graced tor ever. and Q young and interesting
family wholly destitute.
CHARACTER OF THE DEFALcATIoN.
The dehlcation CONSISTS in the sppropria-
ton Of bonds and stocks sent to the bank by
it's country correspondents to be held for ne
gotislon at their order. Such remittances
pass into the custody Of tho cashier, and are
held BY him until orders are received Tor their
sale, when the proceeds are placed to the
credit OF the correspondent. frequently at the
Central National Bank the cashier will have up
wards Of hall million Of such securities in his
hand, endorsed in blank and awaiting orders to
sell. The amount 30 entrusted to him is sell
dom less than $50, zoo. Such securities are not
entered upon the books Of the bank. and the
amount Of them on hand is known only to the
cashier, whose honesty Is the only guarantee
for their safety. They are IN his possession
rom the time Of their receipt until their con-
version into money; and If that officer proves
dishonest, as IN this instance, there is no
means Of detecting him until inquiry is raised
by the correspondents owning the securities.
CAREER OF THE DKFAuLTER.
Mr.. Sanford Was formerly junior member
Of the dry goods jebbing ho7se OF Purdee,
the pos,tion Of assistant cashier Of this
bank. In this position he acquitted him.
SELF with much commendab,e uprightness,
and displayed such unusual promptness, quick
ness, and general business tact, that on
the REORGANIZATION Of the bank force on
the withdrawal Of Mr.. Henry A. Smythe, the
former president, to assume the position OF
Collector Of the Port Of New York. mr. Sanford
xuoo yoodo coshiar m his new enlarged and
more responsible position he continued to
give the utmost satisfaction to the direc-
tors Of the bank, all of whom placed the
utmost confidence in him, and any OF whom
would have signed his bond at any time tor
half million OF. dollars. During the time he
has been cashier he has frequently been trust
ed with unusual amounts OF private funds, the
president and directors having 80 much conf
dence, in his integrity that they never hesitat-
ed TO place snv amount Of money in his keep
ing. The president OF the bank, Mr.. w. A.
Wheelock, states that at times MIR. Sanford has
had the custody Of as much as $3.50 600 Of his
private means, which he could have disposed
Of at any TINS, and has been similarly trusted
by individual directors, never in any instance
givlog occasion to those trusting him to ques-
ton his honesty.
BIS DOMESTIC RELATIONS.
He resided at first with his family in Con.
lie
his business from that distance, he moved
ABOUT two weeks go to Flushing, L. l., where
he lived ID q most frugal and unpretentlous
manner, giving The impression from all his do
nestle surrou dings Of mil care to live
within his means. Some weeks since bus
family-a wife and two chlldren-left Flushing
to spend the summer months with Sanfords
mother at Westport, Connecticut, where they
still remain.
Last week 1t became known to the president
and other officers of the bank that Sanfords
youngest child was very sick. On Thursday.
SANFORD seemed very gloomy and despondlng.
30 much 80 as to attract the attention OF the
bank officials, who attributed his humor to
anx ETY. regarding his child. The president
finally went to him and advised hun TO go
home. Sanford thought he could not get away;
that there was no one that could take his
placs, &c. The president replied that 1t was
his duty to 60 home to his sick child, and IN
sisted that he should start at once. About
half an hour afterward. the President noticed
that he had gone. BE has not since made his
appearance at the bank.
THE DISCOVERY.
On Friday the fact was noticed and Comment.
ed on that he sent no word to the bank, and
on Saturday, his continued absence and silence
caused the president to dispatch o messenger
to Connecticut In search OF MIN. The absen-
tees brother, subordinate in the bank, VAS
selected for this mission. On reaching
Wes port, this young mau was surprised aud
alarmed to learn that Sanford had not bee1
heard Of there. He at once telegrapbed the
fact back to the bank. causing not o little con-
sterDaIion in that orderly institution. An in
vestigation was at once ordered. The cashiers
box, 10 which we're kept the fluids iptrusted to
his care, was taken from the vault to the Presi-
dents room. and there opened by the latter
officer. The first thing that struck his eye on
opening the box was an envelope addressed 10
himself. ibis he quickly opened, and found
hastily written note, traced with trembling
hand, without address, date or signature,
reading as follows:
The DRFAULTER's FAREWELL.
"Forgive me for what have done. have
taken nothing with me, and have left my faml-
ly destitute. What is missing have lost IN
speculation in stocks and gold. God bless my
poor family !"
his WHEREABOUTS MYSTERY.
This noe left no loom for doubt as to the