Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-01
A DISHONEST BANK OFFICIAL.
Howard T. blackstone, Discount Clerk
in the Portland Canal National Band,
Embezzles Twenty-Five Thousand
Dollars and Absconds.

PORTLAND. Nov. 80.
The directors of the Canal National Bank
authorize the statement that Howard T.
Blackstone, discount clerk has embezz ed
funds of the bank to the amount of S25, 600
and has absconded.
1t appears that on Wednesday Mr.. Black
stone obtained Thanksgiving vacation from
the bank and proceeded to New York From
there he wrote a letter to his wife, which was
the fret information this poor woman had
that her husband was dishonest and become
an exile from home. The letter was dated
have been written before he left town and
that he had premeditated the step for some
time. feeling bis guilt could not much longer
remain hidden. The letter stated that the
SAD misfortune had come upon them but
they must bear it as others had before
them. He was detaulter and an exile. In
the year 1881, friend of his asked him to
invest some money in his Maine mining
stocks. He, Blackstone, made purchases and
the speculation was successful. The success
OF his friend induced him to speculate on his
own account. He, too, was fortunate in his
venture. Again he tried and again he won.
The fortune then began to desert him. Loss
followed loss and to retrieve himself he took
bark money until his speculation amounted
to S25 900. Then he felt it was useless to
go farther All must be discovered and it
would be better for all that he should alb
scond. He enclosed the deed of the house
and land that he owned and his family occu-
pied in Deering, which he requested her to
hand to the bank and inform the bank officers
of his weakness. lie made no mention Of the
methods by which he had carried on his steal
ings. The directors have not yet been able
to ascertain his methods. No money passed
through his hands, or very little.
At times he had occupied acting cashier and
paying teller, besides being discount clerk :;
he also had charge of the general ledger &C
count
The first informatin the bank directors had
of the affair was Monday evening, when a
package with the deed and letter was brought
in. Several of the directors did not hear of
the fact until this morning. The loss to the
bank will not affect its standing in the least
Blackstone is 32 years old and has a wife and
three children. Twelve years ago he entered
the bank as junior clerk, but his aptness and
natural ability advanced him to the position
he lately held. He was trusted as much as
any man in the bank. He was liked BY both
officers and employees. He had none of
common bad habits.
He was q member of the civil service re-
form club and in this connection it may be
said that some years ago when the civil SER
vice club held its first meeting in Union Hall.
Blackstone was secretary and w. Z. Gould.
the defaulting cashier of the First National
Bank, was president. The value of the house
decided to the bank by Blackstone is about
$4,000. He also assigns some Maine mining
stock which is worth nothing. Blackstone =
salary was Sl20o per year. He also added to
this by some fees from business done outside
Blackstone had considerable interest in the
Diamond Wrench Company, but how much
the treasurer of that company cannot say.