The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-02
ABANK'SSTRANGEWRECK
MINERS ACCUSE THE PRESIDENT
OF ROBBING THEM.

He Gave Them Picnics aud Took Other
Means TO Win Their Confidence and
Deposits, and Shut His Doors When
He Had scooped in 100000.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Oct. IA special
dispatch from Clearfield says; "The ex-
citeraent here concerning the First National
Rank failure was intensified last night when
the condition of things at Houtzdale was
harmed. The Houtzdale bank is private
concern which was bought by Dill last
snripg. Before he purchased it the people
were distrustful, Rs the former company
had been doing a loose business, having lost
$4,000 through the dedication of Teller
William Hamilton, who is now in the peni-
tentiary. When Dill took charge he placed
John B. McGrath, jnstice of rhe peace, in
whom the whole community had the ut
most confidence in charge as cashier.
STIMULATED BUSINESS
"This at once stimulated business and on
the first day over 50, 900 was received in de-
posts, mostly coming from poor miners. AT
but through McGrath's well-known integ-
rity and popularity, they grew until yester
day morning they reach 100000. Upon
opening the bank yesterday McGrath had
occasion to telephone the First National
Bank concerning a check aud was astounded
to learn that it had closed. He at once
closed his bank but had already received
several deposits.
DEPOSITORS SURROUND THE BANK.
"The news spread rapidly, and before long
several hundred depositors were in the
streets. The ignorant Huns and Slavs, OF
whom there are many, who have deposits
g. IN
when they heard that their money was in
danger. The larger depositors at once
sought CASHIER McGrath and he informed
them that although the deposits reach $780,
COO. less than s60,000 in paper and currency
was in the bank when it closed. He said
that President Dill had removed q great
amount of money, giving as his reason that
the Houtzdale vault was not secure, and
that be would put it IN the Cleartield vault.
THE CROWD GROWS WILD.
when it became known that they were
likely to get less than so cents on the dollar,
the depositors grew wild and some OF the
expressions were fearful to contemplate.
Dill had been catering to the mining class
in many, and various, ways for the past five
years. In 1856 he gave the miners picnic,
bringing over 2 900 men, women and chill
dren from Houtzdale to Clearfield, and en-
tertalniDg them in large park here in
handsome manner. This and many other
LIKE acts caused them to look upon him as
sort of philanthropist. and now they charge
him with planning this scheme for years.
DILL GIVES NO SATISFACTION.
"a delegation of Houtzdale depositors
arrived here last night and saw Dill, but he
gave them no satisfaction. except to say
thtu if they would stand by him they would
come out all right. This is all he said, and
they cannot get any consolation from it.
To-day they have asked him to make an as
sgnmelt of the Houl Zdale bank to them or
appoint a receiver. Many of them
talk Of insttuting criminal proceedings, but
this is not likely just now. In reference TO
the Glearfield bank there is no change ex-
cent that most of the sympathy that was
expressed yesterday for Dill is to-day
against him bitterly. Many of his friends
Of yesterday are enemies to-day.
a HEAVY BORROWER.
'It is said that he has been borrowing
right and left. Only few days ago hi
tather,iu law, Jonathan Boynton, advanced
$4,000 to him on representation that il
1 would fix everything up and put the banl
Il on its feet. Bank Examiner Miller arrived
tlis morning and has charge Of the bank
4 He has nothing to say for publication. bu
n people here think that the de, 1sitors Of tht
First Natitnal will get their money"
n MGRATH AND DILL ARRESTED.
q special to the iresS from Phillipsburg
Pa, says: "John B. McGrath cashier Of
the Houtzlale Bank, was arrested to-nigh
Charged with embezz.ement, A war
rant was also Issued for the ar
rest of William H. Dill. Johr
beyer aud George w. Dickey have beer
appointed receivers for the Houtzdal,
Bank. The bunk bad 5000, 600 on dep, sits
In Philhpsourg the banks were prepare
Tor heavy run, aud the Hungarians DIRE,
out considerable money. 1t is not likel
that the trouble will extend any further q
present.