The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-15
A BANKING TRAGEDY
Suicide of a Cashier After Burning
Bonds and Securities.
A DEFAULTER FOR OTHERS.
Lamberton's Bank Of Franklin, Pa, Sees
100000 Of Its Money Destroyed-Par-
ticulars Of the Tragic Affair.
FRANKLIN, Pa, March IA, 1873.

FRANKLIN Pa, March IA, 1873.
This community was shocked this morning be-
yond expression by a report of the suicide Of
Thomas F. Anderson, cashier of Lamberton's Bank,
OH Thirteenth street, Franklin. The injured man
fingered in great agony till four hours after
the occurrence, when he expired. 1t appears that
Anderson, who is man of about thirty-four years
OF age, came to the bank at the usual hour
this morning and unlocked the safe and removed
the contents to the accustomed places and had
everything arranged for the transaction OF bust
ness. Several customers came In, did what bust
ness they had to do, and LETT without noticing any
thing ont OF the way with the cashier. In about
fifteen minutes after the last person was
noticed coming out OF the bank Anderson, the
cashier, was seen stepping hurredly from
the door OF the banking house to the street. When
he reached the street his pace quickened, and
finally he commenced to run for dear lie, having
one OF his hands thrust in his coat pocket. He
hadn't got far away when some persons, aston
ished at the action Of the cashier, noticed smoke
issuing from the main entrance OF the
bank and, suppOsing the house was on fire, ran
across the street and entered the room. Here they
found several members Of Mr.. Lamberton's family,
pale with fright but reserving sufficient presence
OF mind to extinguish the flames, which were
issuing from the CRATE and rising to some
wooden work on the wall above. AS soon as
that the crate had been piled up with green
backs, bonds securities and other valuable papers,
AS quickly as possible these were drawn out and
water spiinAled over them; but IL was found that
most all OF the heap was in charred state, and
that some crumbled to ashes and was blown about
the bank by the wind that came in through swing
ing doors. what valuable papers and money that
lay in the middle OF the basket which the crazy
cashier had piled in were found to be little injured.
But this was of meagre value in comparison with
that destroyed. In the meantime number OF gen.
| tlemen had followed Anderson down Thirteenth
from the bank When he reached the 'front.' door
he turned the knob eXcitedy, and, finding the
door locked, left the steps and ran In side en-
trance through small alley. He entered the house,
and, finding his wlie in the sitting room, handed
her q letter, saying to her, 81 am going to do an
his wife, supp0slng that he was about to Kill some
| body, closed the door and came over to
him.; She caught hold OF his arm and
| man shook her or again. She caught the weapon
| but Anderson pushed violently away through the
| put the muzze of the pistol to his forehead and
| fired. His wife uttered one scream ut the dis
of lady friends who at that moment arrived at the
| scene. Her husband dropped the pistol from his
| hand, staggered and fell while small, purple
The contents OF the letter to his wife are not yet
made known, but the substance Is that he was car
| rying overdralts for several persons to large
| amount and that he was determined not to leave
| any trace, and therefore destroyed the bonds and
money. On his desk in the banking house
he lett letter in conspicuous place, the contents
Of which went on to state that all special deposits
| and bills receivable had been destroyed; that his
| death was that of suicide; that his family were
ruined and disgraced forever
1t is difcult tonight to approximate the loss by
| the bonfire Of bonds and money, but rough esti-
mate puts 1t at 500 900, OF which sum there will be
recognized and saved perhaps forty thousand dol
lars. This includes Mr.. LambertOn' individual and
| government bonds, the balance being securities.
| This afternoon despatch was sent to the United
States Treasurer requesting that an expert be
! sent on Immediately to examine what remains OF
| the burned money and bonds. Until this party ar.
| rives and makes an examination the full extent OF
| the loss can only be cOnJectured.
| Mr. Lamberton had the utmost confidence In An
| derson. He was sober, Industrious man, and his
| employer trusted him rs he would one OF his own
| family. There is no way OF accounting for the &C
| ton OF the unfortunate man, except upOn the the
DRY of his having been deaulter to an amount es-
tmated at between $25, 900 and $50 900. LambertOn
| was about transferring his hank to X. A. Cochran
formerly OF the First National Bank, q. W. Gilfelan
| and others. The books were to be balanced and
| knowing full well that his crime could not longer
be concealed, took this course to hide 1t II pos
| sibe.
| The opinion is expressed freely by business men
In this city that the unfortunate man has been used
| IS o catspaw by persons whose names cannot be
| At present disco Vered. The cashier had not been
| known to use money in speculation or otherwise,
| generally conceded that whatever he defaulted
| somebody else is responsible for.
An inquest was held over the body tonight,
| when, after hearing the testimony OF number OF
| witnesses, an adjournment was decided upon till
| tomorrow. The dreadful nature OF the crime has
cast gloom over the city OF Franklin, and the sad
ending OF promising lie Is the theme OF general