Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-01-30
HOW LINTON BANK WAS ROBBED.

The little city Of Linton, n place re-
markablc for the sobriety, industry and
morality of its peoples just emerg-
ing from thrilling scene which shook
the whole community with nervous eX-
element, and that came near to de-
stroying the fire of faith in humanity
which has so long burned brightly in
the bosoms of those easy-going, hone {
country folk.
The Journey | have just completed
was one of haste and my stay in Lin
ton was much shorter than had hoped
it might be; but | was there sufficiently
long TO witness the closing scenes of II
remarkable trial. and one that will be
long remembered by the people of that
quiet town, and be talked of rs the city's
tragedy.
The Linton Bank is one of the inter
esting institutions not only of Linton
but of the whole county in which it is
situated. II has long been noted for
its financial stability, and its officers
and clerks have many years borne the
name of Unions Conservatives, "
which was given them for their perfect
honesty and firm adherence to strict
banking principles.
One of my first movements after |
had arrived and partaken of whole
some MONDAY meal, la rural district,
was to visit the bank for the purpose of
having n check cashed.
As the teller handed me Il small
package of greenbacks, observed that
my old friend, President Goodnow, who
was sitting near the huge doors of the
iron vault, was looking me sharply in
the face. He seemed TO have observed
that the new iron and wire railing, sep
arating the tcller's corner from the
outer part of the room, had strong
ly attracted my attention, and from
my looks judged that l was
noting the changed appearance of
things, and, therefore, naturally in
ferred that was not stranger ut the
counter. But the teller's face was n
strange one to me, and that, with the
new railing and wirewOrk, had created
within feeling of inquisitivcness which
| could not hide.
The bank President arose from his
chair, raised his glasses from his eyes,
and walked toward the railing which
separated us. He soon recognized me,
and | was greeted in his usually warm
and friendly style.
IL saw you were interested to under
stand why all these radical changes in
our little bank said Mr.. Goodnow,
land, from the manner in which YOU
looked at the strange face at the tcller's
desk, and the wirc-work surrounding il,
| concluded at once that you were not a
stranger to us"
Yes said |, "it looked so strange
to me that | almost doubted for n mo-
ment that / was in the place that had
supposed it to be. But got glimpse
of your familiar face and my doubts
were dispelled. Tell me, Mr. Good
now," / continued, "what is the cause
of this changer"
Eyes, will" replied the old gentle
man in which he assured me that his ten
der sympathies were aroused on the sub
ject IL will tell you the circumstances
as far as they have gone" he said, with
deep feeling, land | can assure YOU that
it is sad story you shall hear. But, as
we talk, will ask you to walk with me.
l must be at the court room promptly at
two. l shall be glad to have you with
me if you have time, and the aged man
wiped the sweat from his brow, and
pushed back the white locks which
partly concealed his pleasant face.
''lndeed, Mr.. Goodnow," / answered,
lit will be pleasure to accompany
you; l will most happily accept your in
vitation."
"Poor John Earnest is In jail for theft.
/ would almost as easily expected to be
there myself as to see John Earnest in
jail / could scarcely have believed il
had the facts not come before my own
eyes, and even now it seems as though
it must be dream" The tones in
which these words were uttered were
sufficient to tell me of deep sadness in
the old mans heart as he was speaking
YES" Mr.. Goodnow continued, John
is in Jail, and his poor widowed mother
is almost crushed with grief John was
her only support, her idol and her pet
She is noble woman, true mother,
can tell you, and even to this day, in
spite of all the evidence which has been
produced, she declares that John is in
nocent."
''But what are the charges against
him, Mr.. Goodnow? Do / understand
that John Earnest, that faithful, intelli-
gent man, who has served you so long
and so well, is now in Jail for theftp"
"EIe is" was the trembling reply.
"He is charged with having stolen a
package of money containing $4,000
from our bank"
''1s it possiblep" And what are tho
circumstances pray let me know" l
asked, with great Impotence.
1.-The circumstances, said my friend,
"are that n package containing $4,000
was missed from our bank, and we have
never been able TO account for its dis
appearance upon any theory or suppo-
sition save that John must have known
what became of il. He declares, of
course, that he does not, but all the cir
cumstances point so strongly to his
guilt that | am in great doubt. II there
were any reasonable theory upon which
/ could base presumption. or any evil
dence at all pointing to his innocence, l
should readily accept his word rs the
truth, although IL was against all the
evidence produced by an examination
of the books.
ut was on busy Saturday that the
shortage occurred--or, at least, so far
as any of us know In closing business
at the bank, Saturday afternoon, John
asked our cashier, Mr.. Westman, If no
had put away package of money from
the tcller's desk. Mr. Westman said he
had not, and John carefully looked over
4 -. - n