New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-06
The TOOL OF his FATHER-IN-LAW "
A CONSPIRACY TO ROB THE BANK.
THE ABscoNpING VAN LOAN PEOFITED LITTLE

| THE ABscoNDING VAN LOAN PgoFITED LITTLE
-Y HIS STEALINGS.
The officers Of the Second National Bank oi 'cr-
sey City and the experts who have been examining
the ledger kept By John H. Van Loan, who disap-
pearcd a few DAYS ago. leaving deficiency OF $4,000
have arrived at the conclusion that Van Loan was
de tool OF by older and shrcwder knaves than HIM
self The manner in which the embczzlement was
ACCOMPLISHED was discovered Wednesday afternoon,
and Chief of Police Murphy was at once called IN con-
suItaton by President Hogcncamp and CASHIER
Uasking The result that few hours laicr
Nelson II. Coykendall Van loans fsther-inTaw, was
taken into custody by Detective Hottie "iiian H.
Lceker was arrested yesterday morning.
CovkeDdan Is a grocer, doing business at NO. 13l
Montcelo-ave and Leeke- Keeps butcher shop In
the adjoining building II Is believed from the evi-
dcncc obtained thus far that these two, with Van
Loan. formed plot TO rob the bank In systematic
manner Coykendan was a deposition in the bank,
but Leckcr was not Coykendall frequently drew
checks for comparatively small sums such as 500 or
S75 and passed them over TO Leeker who paid them
out in Ncw-York 10 men with whom he dealt When
they went through the New York Clearing House and
returned the Second National Bank In the regular
order Of business IL Van Loans part Of the work
10 see that CoykeDda1's account In the ledger was
kept at the proper figure. The examination of the
ledger disclosed the fact that Coy oykendalrs account
was overcirawn to the amount of 81 900 in
period OF about tive years.
When Van Loan acting paying or receiving
teller as he sometimes did, he credited his iaherin
law with imaginary deposits and afterward made en-
tries in the ledger to correspond. As a matter of
fact CoykcndalPs actual balance eded $500
at any time All Of CoykendaIs account books and
papers including HIS check stubs, are in possession
of the banks officers He was much sur
prised when he was arrested, and expressed
some indignation that such charge should be
made against him. lie declared his innocence and
said there must be some mistake. but he could not
explain why his account should be ovcrrawn $1,000
without the knowledge Of the bank officers.
Leeker dlsclams all knowledge of fraud. He said
that cashed Coy kcndalrs checks merely 10 accom-
modate him. and sometimes he cashed as many
four s75 checks In one week. when he did not have
the money he took the checks over 20 market and
brought back the difference after paying for his
purchases He admitted that he owes Coyken-
dali about 500 on checks disposed Of in that way.
CoykenGall and Iecker were arragned before Police
Justice stllslng in Jersey City yesterday morning
Coykendan's counsel, ex Judge Carrick not
present and he asked for adjournment until Mon
day 1t was granted and bail was fixed at $1,000.
lie had no bondsman ready and remanded, be
Ing locked ND I'm the detention room in the First
Precinct Police Station Leekers bail was 11ed at
500. which was promptly furnished and he was was
be In custody in a day two The most Intimate
friends of erring bookeeper declare that he pro
lted little by the conspiracy and that when he dis
appeared he had not much money. The bank officers
believe that complete examination VIII not show
any increase of the shortage over $4,000.
Coykendall and his brother Levi in the grocery
business in the lower part Of the city years
and then considered wealthy. They began
and they finally failed. Nelson resumed business
the hill after time, but did not seem to prosper
gan about the time that he married Coykendalls
adopted daughter.