The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-28
Off FOR CANADA.
Flight of a Nebraska Bank Presi-
dent with the Funds.
His Sons Cool Announcement Of His
Fathers Defalcation.

A bank presidents defalcation that is out
Of the ordinary run Of such affairs is re-
ported from Benkleman, Neb. A dispatch
from that place gives the subjoined particu-
lars:
President Beltzer, of the Dundy County
Bank, Of this place, started on Monday for
Lincoln as q director Of the Nebraska State
Fair Association, to make arrankements for
the annual meeting of that institution.
He left his bank in charge Of his son, who
IS in the jewelry business. The young
man conducted the affairs of the bank as
usual for two days, but yesterday he locked
The doors and refused to admit the depos-
ltors or to see anybody on banking business
The report that the bank had closed spread
rapidly, and soon there was gathered large
crowd OF frontierSmen, who ordered the
young man to open the doors and explain his
conduct.
"Oh, can do that" the young man coolly
remarked, '.and rather easily, too. The old
man is safe In Canada by this time, and has
aiken with him the money the bank had. 1
closed her simply because there was no money
b do business on"
The creditors were astounded at this an
nouncement, and hesitated in accepting it as
true. A committee which was admitted to
the bank was soon convinced that the Presi-
dent had taken not only the money, but also
the securities that he could readily convert
into cash. The total amount of his larceny
is estimated variously at from $60, 900 to
10000 and nothing remains.
Dundy is one Of the youngest counties in
the State and its residents are principally
hard.working pioneers, many Of whom have
not yet completely proved their claims. The
town is new and thrifty and the people are
progressive. They had money, as a rule,
and such as was not in use they entrusted
to Beltzer. He opened the bank three
years ago and has conducted its business
in way to win the absolute confidence Of
the people. His reputation for square deal
ing had spread throughout this part of the
State, ,and the surplus funds of several ranches
not in the immediate ncighborhood were
intrusted TO him. Until two weeks ago
he was the only banker here; but then
O new institution was started with such
favor that it took from Beltzers bank his
son-in law, who had been his cashier. At the
time the cashier left the Beltzer Bank, it is
said, its affairs were in good condition and
the cash on hand was about $40, 900. The
negotiable securities and private papers on
deposit for slfe keeping would easily run the
total up to 500, 900, and all these valuables
are missing.
Beltzer came here from the United States
army, in which he was Second Lieutenant.
He was ffty-four years old, and had a wife
and three children, upon whom he was lavish
with money and abuse. On the day OF his
departure he whipped his wife brutally, and
then to atone for his conduct decided her all
his property, which, however, was not
much. He has left absolutely nothing for
the creditors. Mrs. Beltzer has the conf
dence and sympathy of tho deluded people,
and they will not endeavor to disturb her in
the pittance given her by her husbands last
at. The excitement is intense, and were
Beltzer present he would receive rough treat
ment