The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-28
THE BROKEN BANK.
The Defaulting Cashier in Ludlow
Street Jail.
Singularly Barefaced Frauds-The Dement'S Of
Our Banking system-How Taintor Man
aged His Business-What Forced Him
to Confession Hopeless Condition
of the Atlantic Bank-Meeting
Of Depositors To-Day.

OF UepoGCors To-Day
After being taken to Ludlow Street Jail on Sat
urday evening, where he was received by Deputy
Warden Gardner with all the honors due TO dis
tinguished prisoners Mr. Taintor, the deiauiter OF
the Atlantic National Bank, asked to be given some
pens and paper. He sat at the desk in the once for
some time moodny thinking AID then wrote let
ter to his wife explaining his position and begging
her not to come and see him for some days at
least He despatched the note by messenger to
his residence rather to what had been his resi-
dence, and would not go to bed until the messen-
ger returned with short answer from his wife.
He was then conducted to his CELL 1t is No. A. and
is situated on the row known in the prison as
''BAxTER rERRAcE.n
1t is no better and no worse than the other cells
and does not call for any particular description.
Yesterday, with the publication OF the particulars
Of the deialcaton in the HERALD, q number or
friends called upon Taintor, at the prison. Among
these were his brokers, who called not merely to
see the now notorious CASHIER but to settle some
Of the business with which they had been en-
trusted by him. He received these gentlemen and
conversed at length upon the state OF his AFFAIRS
bat always with that perfect selfpossession which
has characterized all his actions not only since the
frauds were discovered, but since their first incep-
ton. The details OF the future operations OF Mr..
Taintor with these matters is of course q
secret and has not been allowed to leak
out. Other friends called during the day. One
old gentleman, who appeared to be rela-
ton, was heard to upbraid Taintor quite loudly.
He said to him, 'sThis is no way to do business,
and you should never have permitted yourself to
become involved in this manner" To which
Taintor answered ina soothing tone, and seemed to
be expOstuating with the Old gentleman about up
braiding him in SO loud tone. The conversation
was then carried in o more subdued manner.
As the day wore on more visitors called and were
freely shown In. Some remained with him a long
time, and others left after saying few words Of
coincidence with his fate 1t was evident how
ever, from the manner OF all that Taintor possesses
many devoted friends, and 1T leads to the con-
ClusiOn that he must have had some qualities
which endeared him to those who moved in his
circle Of life. When the meal time came the pris-
oner went up stairs to his cell and ate the usual
prisoners fare. He was
INVITED TO DINE
at the table of Warden Tracy with the other
bOarders Of the house, but refused. One Of the
friends who called upon him offered him $500,
which he refused to accept point blank, saying that
he was prisoner and intended to be dealt with
were the other prisoners. The old hands say,
however, that all the new corners in the place talk
In this manner. When they get over the first
shock they enjoy the Injuries OF life like other
people nd'don't refuse any good thing which may
be offered.
An old friend called on Taintor in the afternoon
and remained with him for q couple OF hours. They
had borne arms together in the same regiment
during the war. This friend had not seen Taintor
for some time, but on reading the papers had imme
diately gone to give him what consolation
he could Before leaving the prison this
fri WI. To nxy1a1
to the Warden and told HIM to show
his friend all the consideration possible give him
board at his own table, and any uxuries he might
wish. and he himself would be responsible for the
bill. II Is doubtful, however, If the prisoner will
accept this piece OF generosity. These two con-
versed quite freely and aloud in the reception room
OF the prison. Tantor, among other things,
laughed at the figure cut by the directors OF the
bank when the fraud was discovered. He said,
"ln spite OF the position In which was placed,
could not help thinking these people irresistibly
funny He expresses regret for those who have
lost by his TRANSACTIONS and said, al hoped to the
last to retrieve myself and make all good. 1t was
almost hoping an impossioiilty, but You know a
make myself any better or any worse than am,
but now the thing is done would not shirk the
consequences II / could.
RAVE sINNED AND MUST sUFFER.n
Some say this stolcal mien is only assumed
HERALD reporter called the prison in the
course Of the afternoon and sent Ia his pasteboard
70 Mr. Ialntor. This gentleman sent out word that
ne preferred not TO see any member 81 the press.
tives, which the visitor certainly did The reporter
saw another OF the prisoners and in speaking
about the defauiting cashier this prisoner said
II was talking with Taintor this morning. He
bears up well but believe much OF this is put on
wretched as a man can well feel He told me this
morning that he was only going to eat prison fare
had money In the world and that whateve assets
there were rom his speculations should go to the
creditors He didn't want TO retain anything OF it.
In spite OF this demeanor | don't think Taintor
tells the whole truth think he has some money
put by, and that in reality he is well fixed. Some
circumstances have led me TO believe SO. and yet
tbs mere surmise. This eating of prison iare is
A COMMON DODGE
among the big prisoners to make their creditors be-
heve they hav'nt got a cent, and can't afford it.n
..iou are little uncharitable," said the
"wer, staying long IN this place makes man
see men as they are. Taintor / don't think is a
man Of the pluck which you seem TO believe he
the wall shsw KIND Of desperation which some
mistake Tor courage. Taintor-is a man OF sense,
mIka made clean breast OF it, and kept his coun.
tenasce, III gentleman ought to do.n
me prison officials share IN this belief and think
that Iantor only assumes his OF jocularlty and
recklessnessi that In a lew days this VIII break
down. As far as the reporter saw him yesterday
sitting IN the reception room and taking with
friends he was the last man OF the party one would
have supposed to be the man who only the day he
fore held proud position and was respected and
WHAT PROMPTED THE CONFESSION
IL appears that what led fainter to confess his
crime TO the Chairman OF the Examining Committee
OF the Clearing House, Mr.. Tappen, was somewhat
different rom that 1T nrst reported. on Friday,
the President OF the Bank, Mr.. S0uthworth, had
been to him and said, In sort OF casual way,
..raintor, ] guess 1t is same time since we have
looked over your leans. Surprising we do IL to.
morrow 70 which Taintor had answered de-
fiantly--
.irun this bank and know what am about, and
idoht want anybody examining my accounts
Inc manner or taking rather astonished and
somewhat alarmed the president u very mild
hammered Old gentleman. who expostulated in a
nelpiess sort OF way, reminding 'raintor that IL