The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-08-26
a CUNNING DEF4ULTER.
A Fast Life and Its hfects-How a Ma"
tional Bank was Swindied by Its
Bookkeeper.

The New York World gives the following
concerning the recently discovered defalca-
tion of George Kingsland 10 that city:
The defalcation of George KiDssland, q
bookkeep In the Hudson County National
Bank, though for few days known to several
persons, was, until Wednesday, kept quiet, al
The desire of the bank authorities, In order to
enable them to make complete investigation
and take the necessary steps to secure them
selves. The defaulting clerk Is In Europe,
having sailed on July 10th, 1t is believed, now
ever, with the intention OF returning, aud ne
NAV even now be on bis way back. He was
mai, believed to be of high character. and was
granted leave of absence because of il!-health.
He1 had lost IN rapid succession fonr
children, and was believed to be suffering
from this and his own ill-heatb. He is the
son of E. w. KiDgsland, for long Time
treasurer of Hudson County, and one OF the
wardens of St. Marks Protestant Episcopal
Church. In granting him leave OF absence,
the bank presented him with two hundred
dollars and continued his salary while away.
He sailed in company with his wife aud the
pastor OF his church; and as his accounts
were left in such condition that under any
ordinary circumstances his defalcation would
not have been discovered, 1t is more than
probable that he will return. The president
of the bank, after Kingsland lad sailed, had
his attention attracted to a .rumor that he had
been loading rather last life. This led him
TO institute searching examination into the
missing mans accounts, which were, how
ever, properly balanced and almost battled
investigation. Subsequent Developments
showed that the bank had lost, probably, be-
tween fifteen and twenty thousand dollars,
though errors amounting 10 only seven
thonsand FIVE hundred dollars had been
traced to hum. 1t seems that he had been
highly trusted, and had taken the receiving
telleris place whenever that gentleman was
absent or late. He would take deposits, enter
them upon the individual books and upon MS
ledger, 80 that they showed correctly, Dlit
never made entries OF the moneys taken upon
the cash bo )k. By operating III this way ne
could 20 or with impunity until some settie-
ment should be made with some one vi tne
deposltors whose deposit he had failed 10 en-
ter. when the balancing Of their accounts
would be likely to show the delalcation. TO
oiisrd as far as possible against this, he had
ramnered with only about half dozen &C
Counts. and had selected the ones which were
most likely 10 run long ana steadily. Among
the number was that OF his own father. VI
ali moneys taken he kept memoranda, 80 tnaC
IN striking each months balance ne knew
how much had been taken from each deposl-
tor. and could easily force balance oy deoll-
mo nm IN the amount By this method even
nIeae invastIpation would fail 10 reveal The
Sact that the books were falsely balanced.
The unexpected discovery OF this CRIME anu
of his previous mode of life, Whicn must nav
been unsuspected even by his wife, mas proved
a terrible blow to his family and friends.