The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12
4 HUGE BANK ROBBERY.
A NEW YORK INSTITUTION
LOSES $354,000. !:


Bookkeeper and Deposition
The Former Fled and the Lat.
ter Committed Suicide.
A defalcation Of s354,oo0 in the Shoe and
Leather Bank, the flight OF Bookkeeper
Seely, who stole the money, only to hand
it over to O man who had him in his power,
the search for the arch conspirator. who s
said to be Lawyer Frederick Baker, and his
death by drowning while the detectives
were hunting for him. is the epitome OF one
| Of the most starting stories of crime un-
eartbed In New York City in many day.
| The thefts began nine years ago and con-
| tinued up to few days before Seeley took
refuge in flight, having learned that change
in the system OF ledger keeping would make
further concealment OF his crime an imposst-
bility. And when It was discovered, the
hank found itself with its whole surplus ot
S10e, 900 wiped out, and deficit Of $150, 900,
| which the stockholders must make good.
1t has been learned that Seely's thefts
were accomplished through O confederate,
an old-time depositor in the bank, and that
the stealings had been carried on during
period Of nine years.
The bank officials say this confederate Is
'Lawyer Frederick Baker," Seely's coun-
sci, TO whom the defaulter made full con-
fession, says the confederate was a lawyer.
Here is the story OF the robbery as gath
cred from the bank officers Samuel G.. See
ly, aged forty-two, was taken In the employ
OF the bank fourteen years ago. Seely
was considered by his superlors to be q
model bank employe. He was book
keeper in charge of what is known
as the individual accounts" having
in his care the books containing the
amounts in alphabetical order from
A to L. Seely's bond was for $500. given by
the United States Guaranty Company, which
regarded him as model risk. The bank
officers never had suspicion Of anything
wrong in Seely's accounts until their eyes
were opened almost by accident.
The Shoe and Leather Bank has not
been In the habit of frequently chang
ing its clerks about as Is done IN many
of such institutions. and 30 Seely has
been in charge of the same accounts
year after year, thus becoming thoroughly
familiar with the habits and stand
ing of the A to L depositors. Recently
the officers Of the bank have considered the
scheme of changing tho clerks about, and
week before seely fed they Informed the
employees that a new set OF books would be
opened and transfer Of clerks would be
made.
Seely heard the announcement with the
others. and knew that with some one else at
his desk detection OF his irregularities was
matter OF day at most. He was at his post
as usual, but asked II he could have holl-
day. His request was granted and the bank
people have not seen him since. Another
man was put at Seely's window. This
substitute exploded veritable bombshell In
President Cranes Office few hours later by
the statement that Seely's books and accounts
were so badly tangled up that he could do
nothing with them. A hurried examination
showed him to be defauter to the amount
OF 1854 900 and that his accomplice was
Baker. m old-time depositor, who was known
as the 5000 man, because that was the sum
he drew from the bank nearly every day.
The method of robbery was marvellous In
It's simplicity. When Baker wanted money
Seely would put down to his credit any
sum that be thought right. This sum he
would deduct from the account Of some
other der ositor, one which was not usually
disturbed by additions or Withdrawals.
This, Of course, would not be discovered In
a very short time, and when 1t would come
time to balance this second account Seely
woule simply transfer 10 1t the necessary
sum, which he would deduct from third
account.
In this way the books would show no
shortage, Baker would get all the money
he desired. This plan was made all the
surer from detection by the fact that See
ly's ledger never went into the hands oi
any other bookkeeper, while at the same
time he was allowed to write up tho pass
books OF all the depositors whose accounts
he kept In his ledger.
Warrants were Immediately issued for the
arrest of Seely and Baker, but the latter had
heard of the impending climax and when the
detectives appeared at his handsome coun'
try residence at Sands Point, Long Island.
It was learned that he had been drowned.
Baker, who was supposedly wealthy ano
respectable lawyer. past sixty years OF age
had told his aceomplice before the latters
flight that he was too old to run away him
sell and would stay and face the music. Il
is alleged by Seely that Baker got all ou
S11 600 OF the stolen 1854 900.
After searching all day for Baker 1t wa:
found that he had been drowned from row
boat in Long Island Sound just in front o
his country home. His two sons were ou
on the Sound cunning, aud he entered a boa
ostensibly to row out after them to see VIVA
luck they were having. He never reache.
them, and when about o'clock the sons start
ed for home they found their fathers bod!
floating face upward on the water beside hi
overturned skiff. 1t was surmised that N
had committed suicide to avoid arrest.