The morning call., 1893-04-14
IN MYSTERY WRAPT
Flood Maintains His Stole
Silence.
THE BANK AFFORDS NO CLEW.
Mr.. DonoIloe Scouts the Idea That
Flood Lost Money at the Stock
Exchange or Elsewhere.

What has been done with the money?
| This Is the question that is vexing the pub
| lie at large as we'll as the directors of the
D0nohoe-Kelly Bank since the discovery of
the misappropriation of S164,000 of the
| banks money by ex-Cashier Flood.
To-day Flood comes up for his prelmi-
nary examination in the Police Court on
| the charge of embezzlement preferred
against him, but little explanation is as yet
hoped for. 1n fact the whole affair is so
wrapped in mystery that Mr.. Donohoe said
last evening, II was never SO mystifed in
my life. and when the truth does come to
light, shall probably know it no sooner
| than the general public will''
Floods stole calmness is as yet unbroken.
| He calls at the bank regularly every morn
ing. receives his letters. chats with the
clerks and offers to assist them to the ut
most of his capacity. To all who question
him he gives the same reply, 81 shall come
through all right. ] have no fear"
w. w. FOOte has been retained for the
defense. and attorney and client were en-
gagged in long conference yesterday at
Mr.. Foote'S Office on Pine street. What
passed between them at that conference no
one yet knows, for Mr.. Foote, acting upon
the example set by his client, refused TO
to say word.
Howard Havens, vice-president of the
bank, has been so far equally retieent, but
last night he spoke rather strongly concern
the way In Which he had been mlsrepre-
sented.
Il think it best that should tell you all
the facts from beginning to end" said
Mr.. Hayens. John w. Flood was in our
employ for twenty-seven years. Before
coming to this country he was in the employ
of Eugene Kelly 81 Co. in New York, and
when he travelled West he entered into busi-
ness in Virginia City under the style Of
MAYNARD 81 Flood.
"Mr. Donohoe opened the San Francisco
branch Of the bank in 1864. and 1 entered
into their employ at that time Flood
Joined MS some two years later, and in 1876
both Flood and myself were given an inter
est in the business. He was an excellent
man and we'll esteemed, and nothing went
wrong in any way until the memorable 4th
Of April this year.
ION that day Flood and myself were in
the bank at A. NJ. when the door opened
and the Bank Commissioners walked in. AS
soon as Flood saw them he said: Good
morning, gentlemen. l presume you have
called to make your semi-annual investiga-
tion.' With that he arose from his seat,
courteously raised his hat and left the bank,
and he never returned until he was sent for.
when the horrible discovery was made
the directors at once sent for Flood. He
came down and said: Gentlemen, / have
taken Sl64,000 of the banks money. 1t has
All eOucs uu MAY pOsSlDly get some OF iL
back, but all, never. Do not ask me where
1t has gone. l will disclose nothing. The
parties that have it are out of the jurisdlc-
ton of the State, and you cannot reach
them.' And from that day to this we have
been unable to extract another word from
MIN.
with regard to the story recently circu-
lated to the effect that the discovery of the
banks deficit was owing to the examlnatio
OF the books consequent on The banks re-
70 No .1lu 4 IL,
you that such is not the case. We had no
such examination. Every six months the
Bank Commissioners come round and hold
an investigation. They-very properly, il
seems TO me-neyer announce their coming
They walk in Unexpectedly, and | have no
doubt that Flood had been quietly expect
ing their arrival for many days before the
memorable occasion of his sudden de-
parture.
This shows, therefore, that the money
must have been distracted during the past
six months. as at the last investigation by
the Bank Commissioners all was found to
be in order. That is not all. Every three
months the finance committee balances up
the cash in the bank, and this was done
about two months ago, therefore it looks as
If the money must have been taken during
the last few weeks OF Mr.. Floods tenure OF
Office.
Various theories have been offered TO
me in explanation OF the mystery. | have
heard good deal OF Floods nephews
They are twins, ] believe, and sons of
Henry s. Flood. But cannot sea how
they can have anything to do with the mat
Ter. Also, with regard to speculations in
stocks, never could imagine Flood as one
to fall In that manner. He was such tenn
perate, easy-gong, steady man that IL he
had been gambler he would have shown
his vice 10 some way.
I'm conclusion l would say that have
absolutely n ideas on the subject. can
not imagine any explanation and the bank
has no clew."
Joseph A. Donohoe, president of the
Donohof- Kelly Banking Company, corrob-
crates Mr. Havens' story on every point
I'm so sorry said Mr.. Donohoe. "What
can have Induced Mr.. Flood to do such
thingP He was q remarkably good man,
steady and true. He had absolutely no
vices 1t was a most painful thing for me
when l found it necessary to arrest him.
On the first day, when Flood came down TO
the bank and admitted taking the money,
but declined to give any particulars as to
its wheTea bout, resolved to give him four
days time to come to his senses and tell the
truth. But he would not. so what could l
dor But had known him for many years
and 1t was q sore trial to me.
Flood has three sOns aid one Of them is
in my employ In the bank. He is an exem-
plary young fellow, and much against the
will Of my colleagues / am keeping him on
But l have heard that the other two sons
are little wild. Still l don't think the
money can nave gone tnere. Concerning
Floods nephews | know absolutely nothing.
"'rhe theory that Flood LOST the money in
stocks appears TO me most absurd. You
must remember that all the money must
have been taken during a remarkably short
period before the discovery, and the stock
market in San Francisco is now such a bag
atelle that such sum as that could not lie
lost by one man without everyone knowing
all about it. No; l believe Flood when he
says that the money has gone ont of the
State; but where it has gone TO, or how. YOU
know rs we'll as l. Time reveals all
things"
The Bank Commissioners maintain strict
silence. They will say nothing. To ali
questions they simply answer, I'VE have
nothing TO tell YOU; all will come out in due
course of time"
The stockholders are having bad time
OF II just now. The directors have sent no.
tlce of an assessment This Is understood
to amount to % per cent of the paid-up
capital stock, S65o,0O The assessment
will just about make up the deficit, and nut
the bank straight with the New York
branch, as the Gay following the discovery
OF the loss the New York firm was drawn
upon TO the amount in deficit and the loss
made good.
The law firm of Galpin & Ziegier has
been engaged upon the case by the bank.
and Mr. ZiPplpr @ do