The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-28

people since il was discovered in April
last that Cashier Flood was a defaulter to
the amount of S164, 600 made but little
Roadway until they discovered clew in
the shape of the mysterious death Of
James Cogan about three years ago.
Cogan was a well-known stoekbr0ker Of
this city and he not only banked with
Donohoe. Kelly & Co., but be operated
Tor any OF the friends of the bank who
wished to speculate in stocks As Cashier
Flood had more or less business with
Cogan the two men became close friends.
At one time C0gan had bank account
amounting to almost 100000 but as with
when reverses overlook him and his &C.
count with the clearinghouse of DonOhoe,
Kelly q Co. was thing of the past.
Cogau needed a friend, and Mr.. Flood
proved to be that friend. The broker had
tie confidence OF the bank officials, and
when lie applied to Flood for assistance the
cashier did not fail him, but cashed his
overdraft That Flood believed Cogan
would regain his lost ground there is little
doubt. and for that reason nothing was
said to the hank officials regarding Cogan's
oyPrdratt.
But lnck was against the broker, and
before Flood realized what he was doing.
COELn had overdrawn his account many
thousands of dollars. Still the. bank was
kept in the dark. fer Flood could not sum-
mon up courage sufficient 10 make a full
confession.
He still had little faith in Cogan, and
hoped that the bankrupt stock broker
might redeem his lost fortune. For this
reason he made false entries in the books,
and was so successful that not even the
bank commissioners could detect the fraud.
Finally COgan took to drink, and one
morning the people in the house where be
lodged found his dead body in his bed
ba tur m n fin
while his friends declared that be turned
on the gas accidentally while under the
influence Of whisky, it was generally be-
lieved that the broker committed suicide
when he found that he could not regain
his lost fortune.
After Cogan's death it is believed by
the detectives that Mr.. Flood sadded the
dead brokers' load on his own shoulders
and by speculation lie attempted to save
himself and the bank. The detectives
draw this conclusion from the fact that
they have learned that Flood lost S25. 000
his own money, however, and the loss OF
that and other sums may account for his
statement, 81 am not worth a cent
piece" made to a CALL reporter last
night.
When Flood became convinced that he
could not make up the large sum drawn
ont of the bank by his dead friend he de-
he did 80 on April 4 last.
That he expected his friends in the bank
to stand by him there is little doubt. for
he thought the world and all of President
Dnnohoe and would have Kept large por-
ton of the loss from falling on him by
letting it appear that the money was taken
since the bank was Incorporated on March
]. 1881. At the time the money was drawn
out D0nohoe. Kelly & Co. were CARRYING
OIL private ranking business and the
partners would have had to stand the loss,
while if the money was taken since March,
1891, Mr.. DoaohUe's proportion would be
very small.
In his attempt to save his friend Dono-
hoe Flood las put his head in the halter.
This is simple proposition when 1t is re-
memhered that if the money was drawn
3ut Of The bank ny Cogan the statute of
limitation will head off ell prosecution and
Flrod cannot be held guilty of embeZzle-
ment.
This is what Flood meant when he said
'Ali l have to do is to raise my finger and
become free man."
And when he says he is not guilty OF
endorsement he means that he did not
take the money Tor his own use and in
allowing a depositor to overdraw his ac-
count he simply did as other banks have
done.
President Donohoe, Viee-Pres deni
Howard Ravens and young mir. Donohoe
were seen at the bank by CALL reporter
yesterday afternoon and questioned as tC
he truthfulness of the Cogan story. Presi.
lent Donohoe declared That he knew nc
more about the affair than lie did in Apri
Nhen Flood came before the bank directors
ind stated 81 am thief"
The old gentleman stated that be had
been bothered almost to death and begged
chat he be not quoted in the matter. Il
knew thing | would gladly make g
itatement, but do not"
The vice-president stated that he had
,uspiciUn that Cogan mad something to d;
With the matter, "but IL Is a mere sur
hise on my part"
Young Mr.. D0rohoe remembers Cogar
.sa eurb5tone broker, but knows nothing
VI the transaction.