Evening journal., 1893-02-24
SMITHS DOWNFALL.
The Defaulting Teller To Be
Sent to Prison.
HAD STOLEN FOR FIFTEEN YEARS.

the Kings County Penitentiary.
Peter Ten Eryck Smiths embezzle- |
ment and defalcation of S55, 900 as paying |
teller of the First National Bank has |
stirred up the,business community as well |
as social circles in Wilmington aud has |
brought out the fact that there was
loose management in the First National |
bank of Wilmington Teller Smith |
confessed to Cashier Winchester in the
law Offices of Levi Bird late yesterday
afternoon. Then United States Marshal
Mahaffy was summoned by Teller Smith
himself and he was soon in the custody
of Uncle Sam.
Was not Locked up.
The we'll known bank teller who so
surprised the business and social COM
mttee spent the entire evening in the
Federal Building office of United States
Commissioner S. Redmond Smith. He
was kept out Of the sight of everyb body
except the United States marshal or his
deputy and every body except Levi @.
Bird, his counsel or others whom he
wished to see Late at night he was
quietly taken over to the Clayton II use
where both he and his custodian spent a
sleepless night. Early this morning he
was brought over to the T. S Court
room and he remained there until after
the arraignment before United States
Commissioner s Redmond Smith.
just Like Funeral.
In the United States Court room aud
adjoining Offices this morning every
thing resembled a home upon which the
Grim Monster had laid his hand Every
body walked about on tiptoe and with
sorrowful face, talked IN a whisper or in
an undertone when opening or carrying
on conversation about the unfortunate
affair. During the hearing the few spec.
tators and all those interested sat around
with bowed heads as though listening to
a funeral sermon. Levi c. Bird, the we'll
known attorney, arrived at the commits
sioners Office at 1890 and asked several
questions in almost whisper before en-
tering the court room where Smith was
seated, his head bowed in disgrace.
Twenty Thousand Dollars Bail.
Smiths hearing was private and brief
The commissioner read warrant sworn
to by James NJ Winchester, president of
the First National Bank, charging Peter
T.. E Smith with misapplication of funds
and embezzlement of $50 600 from 1873,
at various times from the United States
Association known as the FIRST National
Bank of Wilmington, at Wilmington i
the State of Delaware
Ia answer to the charge Attorney Bird
quietly stated that Smith would waive
hearing for the next term Of United
States Court
Commissioner Smith then demanded
from Prisoner Smith 5000 bail for his
appearance at the next term of United
States Court, which meets on the second
Tuesday in April.
Must Go to New Castle Prison.
Teller Smith was privileged to remain
in the court room until to night while
efforts are being made to secure the
necessary bail
At late hour he had not succeeded
In getting away sureties. His property
is all heavily involved by mis- specula-
tiOns An intimate friend stated that no
bail could be secured. Smith will there
fore be taken to New Castle Jail this
evening
Although this will be sickening to a
man accustomed to enjoying all the
luxuries of life and the brightest of
pleasant surroundings, his cell or apart
ments in the Jail may be comfortably
furnished and fitted up until the time
for his trial As he has made full
confession, he will then probably plead
guilty and ask for the mercy of the
court.
The Penalty of Smiths Onense.
Section 5000, of the Revised Statutes
Of the United States says: Every presi-
dent, director. cashier, teller, clerk, oI
agent of any association who embezzles
abstracts or willfully misapplies any of
the moneys, funds or credits of the asso.
citation; or who, without authority from
the directors, issues or puts in circula
tion any of the notes of the association
or who without such authority, issues
or puts forth any certificate of deposit,
draws any order or bill Of ex
change, makes any acceptance. as
signs one note. bond, draft, bill oi
exchange. mortgage, Judgment or decree
or who makes false entry in any boolr
report or statement of the association
with intent, in either case, to iniure o.
defraud the association or any othel
company, body polite or corporate, o.
any individual person. or to deceive an
officer of the association, or any agen
appointed to examine the affairs of sucl
association; and every person who will
like intent aids or abets any officer
clerk, or agent in any violation of thi
section, shall be deemed guilty of mis-
demeanor and shall be imprisoned no
less tnan nVe years nor more than ten.
Five Years in Kings County Peniten
tiary.
The unfortunate man will probabl
get five years, the lightest sentence tn
law allows. He, like all other long
term prisoners from Delaware, will b
sent to the Kings county penitentiary /
Brooklyn. This, says District Attorne
Watson, is one of the best regulate
penitentiaries in the world The fare
the finest in the United States and all {
the convicts incarcerated there are ote
for their good health.
SOME OF THE STREET COMMENT
The People Cry Loose Management.
A Heavy Blow to the Bank.
In every store and Office and on I'll
streets this morning, the fall of I'll
well known official has been the principi
topic of conversation.