The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-27
SEELYS BIG BANK STEAL.
Frederick Baker Identified as His
ACCOmpliCe.

The Dead Mans Sons Deny the claim,
but the Paying Teller Identifies the
Remains-Baker Also Alleged to Have
Defrauded Estates of Which He Was
Trustee-The Bank Expects to Re-
cover a Large Part of the Missing
Money From the Dead Mans Estate.
No Clew to Seely's Whereabouts
Found Yet.
New York, Nov 26-Despite the asser-
tions of Frederic Bakers sons that their
father is not the man implicated with
Seely in looting the Shoe and Leather
Bank, and did not even have an account
there, Paying Teller Sayres, who for eight
years cashed checks for Baker personally,
at least three times a week, has posi-
lively identified the body.
The bank was open as usual to-day for
business. There was no sign of run, and
from all outward appearances everything
was as usual
There is not the slightest chance of
the defalcation reaching over the amount
named-$354, 600. The bank it is said, can
make it good and it is in no difficulty.
In is understood the depositor is wealthy,
and although he has pursued peculiar
methods in investing his money, the
bank has no doubt of in time being able
to place it's hands on a large amount of
it, and it will certainly be easier to pro-
ceed against the estate than against him
personally, for, if he were alive, he would
| undoubtedly fight in every way.
Up to date no word or trace Of the alb
sconding bookkeeper, Seeley, has been
heard.
Stories are coming to light about both
| Seeley and Baker. Bakers friends do
! not deny that Baker and Seeley were
| acquainted. Some of them assert that
/ Seely was an inveterate pool room gam
/ bier.
/ Against Baker it is told that he de-
frauded estates of which he gained con
troll as executor or trustee through his
general good reputation.
A man named Augustus Kagel, who
lives on Staten Island, was tracing prop
erty to-day for which 6aker
held possession as trustee for
KageI and his sister. Part Of the
KageI estate consisted of six
ty-fve shares of the Chatham
National Bank stock. Kagel learned
at the bank that Baker transferred the
stock to other parties in 1879 but he has
paid to the Kagel heirs continuously since
that time the dividends declared upon
the stock. The transfer was legal, as
Baker had the power as trustee to dis
pose of the stock.
The Seely defalcation led to considerable
shifting of bookkeepers in the downtown
banks to-day. A number of the leading
banks also called in their depOsitOrs
books for the purpose of examination.
1t leaked out to-day that a discOun
clerk in the National Bank of the Repub
lie was found last August to be $32, ,OO
short in his accounts. When the discover
was made the defaulter was promptly dis
missed and relatives, it is said, made goo
a good part of his stealings. The banl
officers declined to give the mans name
although they admit the facts and as
sert that the net loss to the bank was
little over $1,000.
Baker had a compartment in the Parl
National Bank safe deposit vaults. At tn
instance of the Shoe and Leather Banl
this was opened to-day, but nothing wa
found except a small amount OF money
Bakers will and other legitimate papers
There was nothing to throw any light upol
his transactions with Seely. Lawyer An
gel of Jersey City, Seely's counsel is in al
unenviable position. He is constantly shad
owed by detectives and his house wa
searched early this morning by Pinkertol
men upon the supposition that Angel wa
harboring Seely in hiding. Angel stouu
defends Seely from all aspersions upon hi
habits and character, asserting that h
was Bakers victim. Angel expresses tn
belief that Seely will shortly give himsel