Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-31

was made merely 10 SJralRhUen up Oue
hanks affairs, and that not only would
depositors be paid in full, but the
stockholders would lose little or moth
ing So confident of this was the as
si9nee. the Mechanics Trust Company,
that il Immediately assumed the obllga-
tions in the savings department OF the
bank and paid Off most OF the depoSi-
tors in full on demand. When the
bookkeepers Of the Trust Company
--4- -, haalsS moro closely
began to fade. Many discrepancies
were found, and the ledger of the saw
ipgs department had entirely diSap-
peared.
The latter circumstance aroused mnch
suspicion, but threats of prosecution
brought Cashier Tillman forward few
days later with the missing book. 1t
took no deep investigation OF this ledger
to show that all was not right. In many
cases it failed to balance by large
amounts with the books held by the de-
poSitors.
The ledger in many cases indicated
that the depoSitors had overdrawn sew
eral thousand dollars, while the books
of the depositors showed conclusively
that they had a balance at the bank.
Major Tillman, when asked about these
things. would merely say: II will see
about it," and never could be brought
to an explanation.
Although this caused great deal OF
adverse criticism, there was nothing
thought to be wrong until about three
weeks ago, when the assignee discov-
cred an overdraft for about $4,000
charged against the account OF the late
L. L. Warren, formerly President OF
the bank. Mr.. Warren has been dead
about eight years, and his estate has
been entirely settled: hence IL seemed
strange that the Overdraft was allowed
to be carried on the books. That such
a thing should have occurred made the
examiner suspicious, and thorough In
vestigation was begun, running back TO
1876, when Major Tillman was
made cashier. Developments followed
fast upon each others heels. 1t was
discovered that the old firm OF the
Louisville Electric Light Company,
which has been sold to the Gas Com
pany for two years, was overdrawn
about $1,000. 1t was discovered that
Quiet uIlllN ludb llstu SbiAN CeN ~ tNS'
ness were Overdrawn and that firms
which had assigned were oyerdrawn.
No settlements seemed to have been
made at all, and the total amount so
carried on the books was upward or
$4,000. Major Tillman himself Is said
tOhave been overdrawn TO sum amount
ing almost to $50, 900. and some OF his
overdrafts run back FOR many years.
All of this looked exceedingly black
for Tillman, and the assignee called
upon him for an explanation. lie could
not explain, and seemed 10 be at loss
what TO say TO excuse himself. The case
was so serious that his arrest was con-
templated at once. The assignee then
called on Tillman to diSgorge what he
had in his possession, and money and
securities to the amount Of Sl3,-
600 were turned over TO the Trust Com
pany. In addition 10 these dis
crepancies in the bank, IL was found
that Tillman had made way with
trust fund left in his care. Mrs. +. 3.
Alexander, and Miss Lettie Alexander,
wife and daughter of Z. 3. Alexander,
formerly cashier of the Fails City
Bank, and Tnlman's predecessor, had
fortune of LOCO, which was in the
keeping of Major Tillman. 1t now
transpires that he has made away with
$4,000 of this trust fund and diverted
it to his own use.
So high, however, was Tillman's
standing aud so influential his connec-
tions that the Trust Company feared to
make these facts public, believing that
Tillman would either offer some expla-
nation or that his friends and relatives
would pay any shortage that should ex-
ceed his bond. The climax came at
last, however. Among the assets Of the
bank the assignee found notes aggrega-
ting $50, 600, drawn on w. P. Johnson
& Co., the tobacco warehouse men.
When the notes we're shown Mr.. John
son, be promptly repudiated them, and
suit was brought several days ago.
Yesterday it leaked out that johnson
would state in his answer that
Tillman had loaned johnson
the money to make the