New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-24


AUBURN, ~ Y Jan. 23-Ihe doors of the First
National Bank of this city were closed to-day by
direction of b. S. w. Clark, National Bank ex-
amincr, of Plattsburg With the consent OF the
directors the following notice was posted on the
door:
Pending an examination of the affairs of the
bank and in the absence of the cashier. this bank
will he closed until further notice. Gaymchts
payable here will be received.
The announcement created great sensation In
the city and the excitement increased when
it was learned that the cashier, Charles o OBrlen,
and the book keeper, Elmer L. Morse, had fed to
Canada. The bank examiner, the president OF
the bank, Manson f. BacIlus, and the directors
were in the bank all day making an investigation
and they declined to give any information. 1t
was learned however that shortage Of 100000
in the banks funds apparent and that further
investigation might add to the amount.
OBrcn, who had the entire confidence and es-
TEEN Of the community and Morse, the book
keeper left Auburn the west bound tram at
80 p Saturday. The bank examiner
had begun an Investigation on Saturday ana al
though the accounts bad Oeeh leiC SO as as 70 -; u1
ceive the officers Of the bank ana the examiner
Mr. Clark was not satisfied that all was rlgnt anu
he made an appointment TO meet CASHIER bfltn ~
at the bank III the evening 10 go over c certain
accounts The cashier did not keep the engage
mcnt. Ii cannot be aScertaincd how much money
O'Brien and Morse took with them, but IL Is sup
posed they took all that could conveniently carry
IT, is said that false statements of the resources
and liabilities of the bank have Deeh mtue lroh
the incorrect accounts ana that tne cdshIcI anu
olk-kccDcr kept private mCmOrtndum Ol trdis-
actions for their own guidance. Inc EisV StatI
mcnt rendered showed the resources Ol thc jain S,
to be ss40, 90 and the Liabilities lnoieuiiiS III
$4,000 capital stock paid in and 81 :, 'ooE VI
undivided profits to be the same amount Al the
annual meeting of stockholders about week ago,
Manson f. Baclus, of Union SprhEs was ,Svrn T,Hre
The retirement of President llughltt aroused ire M
suspicious of several depOsltors ana cOnS.ucrplc
amount of money was wtndrawh ii pSi1se encrsIIv
did not learn of the fact. The directors 1' giecoeu
at the annual meeting were General ); n. hhapp, Is
c. 4. Baclius, NJ. F. Bacl<us, Il. d. Glapp Jam Jam
Kerr, H. l.. Storlle, d. A. Smith, james fitch'
G.. Bcardslcy, w. f. Iugntt, e; w. Iiughil',
F. f.. IIughitt, Charles O'Bren. me ~ haiIure o VI
the bank which appears imminent, Will prove
serious blow to the mercantile and mahulacIur
ing interests of Auburn. IL ls certain tnau 1 sen-
ra merchants and probably sT4 20 or the .rsg wall
CharIes O'Bren is thirty-siX years old and
has becn cashier of the First National Bank more
than twelve years. lie has wIe % wG %is S mathnr n
in Ills city and has not been informed OF ine
true cause of her husbands absence ne aiS3 arse
has tyo brothers Henry NC namN Serene
Z Pavnc. of this city. 1t is said that Cashler
O'Buen lent large sums OF money TO srcnds
worthless securities and also perml'ueu iroto tod
70 make large overdrafts. lie had specuia'IHn t Ia
in pork in the last year, and il is known mar We
lost at least 81 1000 He was also periIS'tfhhc 81 fhc
poker player and some of his esS9ccS ne, ornd III
rrainc were men of large means and they pGayeo
Strong game. It IS said that OBrien was q, a
ncrvv player and made some big Winnings; nv ~
Is nrcsnmcd that his osings were as large II hoss
iorGcr n is also understood that he was ono %!
The financial hackers of The Dispatch. ana ad .1a
his investments in that paper have been ue',o "a
verify The accounts Of the bank and ascertain the
trnn condition OF effairs. The remaining en-
rloyes Of the bank render all assistance possible
in the work.