The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-30
Teller William Austin Bennett HaS
Fled The City.
A KNOWN SHORTAGE OF $4,000
And the Quarterly Examination which is
Now Taking Place VIII PROBABLY
Show a bigger Deficit-wife Pros
trated with Grief

william AUSTIN BENNETT, tclfer OF the
Globe National bank, has absconded, and
an examination of his accounts show a
shortage Of about $4,000. He left the
bank Thursday evening, saying that he
desired to attend the funeral of distant
, relative OF the family, and would return
/ Friday. He did not return, and Cashier
L George Il. Noyes discovered the shortage
< yesterday afternoon. President Gardiner
&. Sims of the bank visited Mrs. Bennett
in the evening and found her completely
prostrated. Bennett came home Thurs
day evening seemingly in good spirits, ate
his supper and INDUCED IN reading. She
did not know when he left home, but at
10:30 o'clock yesterday morning a note
came by q messenger boy containing the
words "Good- bye.n Benefits flight was
due to the approaching quarterly exami-
tion OF the affairs OF the bank. Investi-
cation has shown that Bennett had dab
bled In stock gambling.
He has always been regarded as young
man OF exemplary habits. He lived on
Ford street in coy but not pretentious
style. His salary was $500 and the bank
officials had confidence in him. The bank
has surplus cash amounting TO 10000
with undivided profits, less expenses and
taxes paid of S179, ,492. Hence the defalca-
tuition. The New York and Mutual Surety
Companies are on the bonds OF the de-
faulter and they will cause rigid pursuit
to be instituted. Bennett Is 81 years OF
age and of preposessing appearance. 1t
has been limited that there is a young
widow in the case previously a resident OF
this city but now in New York.
Examining the Accounts.
The bank examiners were still engaged
in their work at noon today, and they
stated that it was impossible for them to
tell how soon it would be completed, as
everything depended upon the conditions
OF the books that had not been opened.
Under the present condition Of affairs it
would be impossible TO make any state
ment until the work had been completed.
The bank is now in charge of Mr.. Gard
liner Sims, the president OF the insti-
tuition, and the examiners are pushing the
work forward as rapidly as possible.
National Bank Examiher Here.
National Bank Examiner Day arrived in
this city this morning and as soon as he
appeared at the Globe bank the books
were placed in his hands.
President Sims ald Cashier Noyes re-
manned at the Ink until nearly two
o'clock this morning. They made sup
erficial examination of the books as well
"a of the cash that remained in the bank,
and when they had completed the work
BENEFITS guilt had been determined to
their satisfaction.
President Sims returned to the bank to
open the doors at the regular hour this
morning and he stated that business
should be transacted as usual today.
Mr. Day continued his examination OF
the books until late in the afternoon, and
he stated that he had been unable TO dis
cover any mistakes. Tho books had been
kept with the greatest care, and every
thing appeared to be accurate in every
way.
The examination of the cash in the bank,
however, showed very different state OF
affairs.
Bag of Gold Gone.
Among the bags in the bank was one on
which the words "Gold e4OOO,n had been
written by Bennett. When this bag was
opened the gold had disappeared and only
900 silver dollars remained. -
New Bills Taken.
This, as far as can be learned was the
only bag that had been molested.
large quantity of new bank bills of
various denominations had been taken,
ard although the exact amount could not
be ascertained today there is no question
but that it will exceed the sum OF $4,000
Eetective Parker Ancr Him.
President Sims notified Detective
Parker last evening and the case has now
been placed in his hands. He has
discovered that Bennett was MEM
Der of one of the local clubs
and that he has been losing
considerable money in playing poker. lt
mas also been stated that he has been
playing other games OF chance, and that
he has had poor luck during the past few
weeks.
since Benefits departure It. has been
learned that he was In the habit OF drink
ing az number Of the local saloons.
This was news TO the bank officials, who
bad always regarded him ~ n model
ycung man. Mr. Sims stated that he had
been greatly surprised to learn that he
bad been interested in tho stock market
but the other information that he had re-
ceived had been even more surprising.
bought New Clothes.
Detective Parker has also discovered
that Bennett purchased a new suit OF
clothes and an overcoat Just before he left
the city. The suit was light In color and
weight and cost but 80, while the
ulster was even cheaper, costing only s.
From this IL has been decided that Benz
metz proposed TO discard the new clothing
az quickly as possible.
These goods were taken by Bennett
himself. and he paid for them with new
hills that are very similar 10 those that
--&'s remain in the bank.
onlciais In Consultation.
The officials OF the bank gathered in the