The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-19
CASHIER OAKLEY'S RETURN.
WANDERTyGs THRoU0H CANADA AND
EN0LAND SINCE 1870.


His Embe ements from the Merchants FIX.
change National Bank to Help his Brother
Once Respected. Now Poor ana Deserted.
Edward J. Oakley formerly cashier OF the
Merchants Exchange National Bank of this
city. who was indicted in 1870 for having en-
bezzled $4,000 Of the banks money, but who
escaped 10y forfeting his bail. was arrested yes
terday 10y Marshals Bernhard and Wattles and
committed to Ludlow street Jail. Oakley on
tered the bank when n boy. and became cashier
after twenty-seven years service. His brother.
Cornelius Oakley. was in tho tobacco business.
and was depositor in tho bank and Oaklcy's
first misstep was in permitting this brother TO
overdraw his account in 1869. Then. with q
Wow TO conccaling tho overdraft. Oakley took
advantage Of his position as cashier TO
borrow some Of the banks money for the bene-
III ~ his brother. until the amount was about
100000. His brother had tried in vain to re-
tricyc his fortune by renewed efforts in the to-
bacco business but failure ufter failure only
involved him deeper in trouble, which was pre-
cipitated by the Haytian instruction. near
which some of mis- tobacco operations were con-
Quoted. Tho cashier had been 50 long and Ia
vorably known that the directors Of the bank
were 10th 70 suspect him. One OF Oakley's Ia
counts Of Oui-of-town banks passing through
his hands. He took 100000 from the account Of
the Commercial md Farmers National Bank Of
Baltimore. When checks we're received for col
lection he would get them cashed, and neglect
lie said that his brother intended TO make the
loss good by Legitimate business operations in
tobacco. but tho state of the market owing to
the li1ytian troubles. prevented. until 1t was no
longer possible To- conceal the 1mhezzlement.
Oakley occupied "A house AT 206 West Twenty
fourth street and kept ~ carringc. He asccr-
tanned that the bank officers had discovered his
theits. ana succeeded in Keeping out 81 the way
Tor some time; Officers watched his house for
several DAYS. hut they We're completely haflied
10y the shrewdn'ss of Olklcys wife, who per-
sisted Ia declaring that Oakley had gone out OF
town and would return soon. although he was
in the house all the time. Thr wife sent out her
scouts TO watch the ON GERS. Oakley surrender
ed himself when he had made his arrangements
togNe $1,000 tail. The bail was accepted after
h. WIS indicted in January 1870. Some OF tho
Tobacco which had been bought with the banks
money wGs surrendered in part payment, hut,
~ coml@r.d with the amount OF money stolen.
1t was q trifc.
District Court; He appeared in July. 1870. for
trial. but, owing To the heated term, Judge
stances II became the duty Of the District At
torncy to hayc the unil bond renewed; Instead
OF doing So. Noah Davis permitted Oakley to 20,
and. by the advice 81 MS lawyer he quilted the
city and wen, to Canada. feeble, effort was
subsequently made to- prosecute the bondsmcn
but the Courts held that a. the prisoner had
been in court ready for trial. his bondsmen
Oakley has been spending tho past seven
years in Canada and ia England. and has been
| very poor. His wife who was so faithful TO
him III ilrst has. IL Is said, formed another alli-
nnce. aud he il much depressed in spirits. He
| says that he was informed that the statute OF
| Limitation would free him from further prose-
| cution. and h. concluded 20 take the risk Of re-
| turning ~ New York. H. has been here sew
! eral months. several officers OF the bank saw
| him. and President Thompson decided that IL
| would he very dcmoralizlng TO allow him TO 20
| UNFINISHED
A. about noon yesterday n messenger was
| sent To- inform District. Attorney Fiero that
| Oakley was In the city. Mr.. Fiero lost no time
| IN notifying the Mgrshals. and the bunk mes
| with the tftlaers a. mint
| When taken before Mr. F.ero he told u pitiful
| tale oi his poverty and wanlnrings since he ran
| away from Now York. said that he had been
| obliged 10 beg for bread. and is absolutely
| penniless. He was dressed in thick cloth
| lng OF Canadian manufacture. and with his
| tronzcd face and slouched ha, looked more like
| an honest couniryman on visit 70 the city than
| an eX-cashicr Of metropolitan bank.