Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-11
NOT A HEAVY LOSER.
The Statement of the Merchants Bank
Officials on the Robinson Shortage.


Within the last few days some additional
light has been thrown on the career of
Charles Robin. IN, the erStwhile head book
keeper in the Merchants national bank.
Not until recently were the extent of his
shortcomings and defalcations known to
the bank officials, it being thought that
$1,000 would cover his Indebtedness to the
bank, and this amount was attributed to
overdrawal. However, il was thought adj
visable TO 60 back over the accounts of the
bank and verify the books. When this
was done it was proved that Robinson had
BY course of ingenious work, defrauded
the bank out Of $1,000. His method was to
procure a draft from the exchange clerk for
probably one dollar and then raise it to $500
or Whatever sum wanted by him. he had no
difficulty in getting the signature OF the
bank officials for any amount.
y. 3. Smith, the cashier of the Mar-
chants bank, was seen, and said: ''The
amount that Robinson secured from the
bank was in the neighborhood of $1,000.
All of this was gotten in the manner that
you know. Fifteen hundred dollars of this
the bank will save, on account of the drafts
not having been paid, the figures being dis
covered in time to protest the payment.
Besides this, Robinson was bonded IN the
American Surety company for $1,000, aud OF
course we will also secure this. You see,
this secures the bank for SG500 leaving it
loser 20 the extent of $500. Every one in
connection with the bank had implicit con-
tidence in Robinson, and ne was selected by
the board out of Il number of applicants 10
fill the position of head bookkecper This
position he has held since the organization
of the bank in 1881 Such confidence had |
in Robinson that rs cashier | would have
signed any draft drawn by him. Another
matter which some people seem to think Is,
that the officials of the bank have attempted
to shield Robinson and keep matters
quiet in connection with the affair. This is
entirely wrong, rs we have offered rewards
for him 10 the local officials, and besides
this PinkertOu detectives have been put
upon the case 1t has not been our policy,
however, TO let every one know our plans.
as it is not customary to hunt game with a
brass band The impression seems to
have got out among some people that be-
cause we did not come Immediately
and consult with them about the matter
that we were desirious of hushing the mat
ter up. On the contrary, any one furnish
ing information as to the whereabouts OF
Robinson will receive 4 reward for such
information
s. Med. Tate. the bank examiner who
has had the affairs of the bank in charge
since the suspension, was present and said
that the extent of Robinson's forgeries
were not known until three or four days
ago; that at first it was thought that he
had only overdrawn about $500, but when
the books were gone back over and verified
the fOrgaries were found skiLfUlly exc
cuted. IN many places figures had been
changed by the wholesale. Mr.. Tate said
that RObinson'S methods were extremely
ingenious and il a measure were original and
very hard to detect. Mr.. Smith said that
as TO Robinson's whereabouts he knew
nothing, but that every effort would be
made to effect his capture.