New-York tribune., 1874-08-26
CRIME AT HOME AND ABROAD
A PRUssIAN BANK DEFALCATION.


A PRUSSIAN BANK DEFALCATION.
THE FUGITIVE CASHIER OF THE ROYAL CREDIT BANK
OF KUHN RECOGNIZED IN THIS CITY By A FELLOW
CoUNrRYMAN-THE DETAILS OF THE EMBEZZLE-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF INNOCENCE.
The police of this city arrested on Monday
night o man who asserts that his name Is GustaSe
Mayer while 1t suspected from the testimony gwen py
fellow-countryman named Lewis Moses. that his real
name Theophie George Kerstein for whose arrest the
Prussan Government offer reward Of 5000 thaiers'
charging him with embezzing 10000 thaiers DeonginS
to the Royal Credit Bank Of Kuhn.
Kersten, the defaulter, was born In Dantzic' jan
8. 1854 reaching manhood went TO Kuhn In west
Prussia city OF nearly 1900 inhabitants He there
worked very industriousy for many years, and nnay
came to be regarded with much esteem by several cap
tasts In the place David LAZARUS one OF these wealthy
men, organized nine years ago the bank already men
toned and obtained the situation Of cashier for her
stein Who then the clerk OF one OF the hlgnes'
courts the city. Kersten held the position OF cashier
up to the moment OF bis flight, and was universally
believed TO be honest man. During the nine years
he served as cashier he elected 10 position equiv
aent to Alderman In an American city, ana was
twice elected q member OF the Lower HOUSE, VI
the Prussian Parliament. During this time also ne
was converted to Christianity. having been Heore"
by BIRTH and brought up in the Jewish faith In Tile
last week November ls73 he started for Berlin osen
siby TO get some bills discounted. Contrary 10 his
usual custom while absent business he carried away
with him the key OF the safe containing tne DOORS anu
the main portion Of the funds Of the bank Two days
passed. business accumulated and as 1t became neces
sary to obtain money to discount several checks lor
large amounts, the directors determined TO
break open the safe. This was done, and
TO their dismay the directors discovered thal
bank bills and bills OF exchange to the amount OF
10000 thalers missing. Kerstein had been paid
large salary-5 600 thaers yeary-and, with MS amly
wife and children, had apparently lived within bis
income The bank officials we're compelled to suspend
pavmept: much suffering being caused to hundreds OF
families In the city, as the bank had been savings
institution. Lazarus, the benefaetor OF kers'ein,
was ruined by the defalcaton, losing 1900
thalers. The Prussian police traced Kerstein 10
Berlin, where it discovered that he had op-
tanned 900 thaers Inore having borrowed the money
he said, for the bank. Beyond Berlin. however
the police lost all track Of the criminal and they never
have succeeded IN arresting him or obtaining any IN
formation OF his whereabouts. They issued circulars
charging him with bankruptcy swindling forgery ana
with defrauiing the Government. and gave the foIow-
ing description "size. s feet 6 inches; gray eyes
shortsghted, mouth partly drawn to the leh an un-
healthy complexion. turns head toward the rght Shou
der in walking"
Lewis Moses, who for many years has been engaged
in the brewery business in Kahn, and has transacted
all his banking business with the bank OF when her
stein the cashier to this country about TWO
son-st. While he walking along Catherine-sl al
about S D. H. Monday. reaching Est Broadway he
saw a stout man walking directly anead OF him, and
although the mans back was toward him he
instantly identified him KerStein. He hasteneG
his pace caught up with the man, and tapped hlm oD
the back The turned about and he saw that IL was
indeed Kerstein He addressed him by that name, and
as ne asserts did not make any effort 10 deny
his identity He asked Kersten If he In business
the United States Kerseia replied that lie had ho'
been this country long enough to 20 into Dusihess
tut having sufficient money to support himself ne ala
not have any anxiety. Kersten acted as he Iet as
concerted at meeting his old friend. AID finally
abruptly bade him farewell ana Waikeu
down Catherine.st. toward the East River. Moses
followed on the opposite side OF the way Will the
intention surrenderng Kers:ein 10 the hrst poce-
tnan he should meet AT Henr5 st he met policeman
accosed him. and told hm that the stout man walking
upon the opposite side OF the street was German
forger The officer seemed ncreddlOus bat hnaily sad
that he would 20 around the block and head the man
off Kersteia walked on toward The river followed by
Moses but the ofl:e did not relppear. At last ker
stein reached South-st. and Moses began 10 rear
that the fugitive would cross over TO BrOoK-
lyn by tue Catherine Ferry and escape. Pa
trolman FtzsmmOns OF the Fourth Precinct
turned into Catherne-st, from south-st. inst a. this
momcnt Moses stopped him. informed him hurrieily
OF Kersteins oGense, and pointed out the man. Fltz
smmons did not hesitate, but walking after the man
Indicated, put his hand on the suspected crnihafs
shoulder aud arrested him. The prisoner protesteu
AGAINST his arrest said that his name was Gustaye
Mayer and that he did not know Moses. Ihe orcer
nevertheless took the accused to the Oak-s station
house and stated circumstances OF the arrest The
nrisoner repeadly affirmed that his name
U,s bIayer that he had lived all his He
IN Pesth Hungary and that he had only been FORT
night n this country Moses, the coutrarT insisted
that he could prove by several natives OF Kuhn no"
residing In city, that the mans real name was her
stein Capt Ulnan finally decided to hold the prisoner
until the mans IDENTITY could be established On the
following right Moses brought to Capt Ulman circu-
lar issued by the Prussan Government giving descrp-
ton OF Kersten. Tie description was judged 70 be
very good one Of the prisoner Capt. Uman learned
from Mayer that he lived No. 392 Bleeckerst Gong
to the house the Captain thoroughly searched all the
apartments. Nothing OF very great Valuc was IOuhu III
tue rooms. but the prisoner lad several compete su'
Capt Uimaa took the accused before Uaited states
Cominssioner stwe yesterday and stated the nature
Of ibe ofense the man alleged 10 have committed
Commissioner Suwell said that he could do nothing 10
further the extraditiou of the accused until formal
com Olaint had been made against MN. Capt. Ui!nan
then took the prisoner back 10 the statOnh0use An
Effort will probably be made TODAY To have the
sncnsed taken before one OF the state Courts AID
released. The accused has already engaged counsei
who are making energetic efforts TO obtain Als release
The German Consu-General has sent telegram 20 the
Prussian Government asking for Instructions ana m
formation iD regard to the case: Mo.es stated 10
confessed his identity with Kersein to Capt ulman
Moses further stated that the accused had also Deh
Idenied by three recent residents OF Kuhn; Mr. Blrk
holz OF No l52 Orchardst., Mr. Levin oi thfShtiesl
and man whose name he had forgotten. inasmuch as
can't Uman mad lert city last night this stItenen
In regard Identification Of the prisoner could not
be verified Toe sergeant IN & SHiH Una Sn Oi 'H ss I'm
prisoner was or II the man was III The station
house.
INCIDENTS OF LOCAL CRIME.