The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-25
Flight Of Assistant Bookkee1er SAM
ueI c. seely, After Stealing for Years
from His Employers.
DOCTORED HIS ACCOUNTS
AND DISAPPEARED WHEN THE
BOOKS WE'RE TO BE, EXAMINED.
Statements of Officers Of the Institu-
ttOn - Stockholders Requested to
Make Good the Defalcation.

NEW YORK, Nov. 24.-Samuel C. Seely,
an assistant bookkeeper in the National
Shoe and Leather Bank has disappeared
with SS54.000 of the banks funds. Seely as
aided by confederate, the bank officials
are certain. Indeed. they go so far as to
assert that the identity of Seely's accom-
plice Is known to the police and that de-
tectives either have him in custody or will
soon apprehend him. This confederate was
not an attacffe of the bank, though it is in
timated that he was a depositor Accord
ing to Vice President Pease. Seely has been
fleeing the bank for some time past. His
method was not ingenious, neither was it
brilliant. 1t was arduous, difficult and
dangerous but withal successful. Accord
ing to Mr.. Pease's statement the entire
execution of the scheme lay in transposing
the accounts, with the assistance of a con-
federate.
On Thursday, Nov. Is. the bank COM
menced to prepare for the Inauguration of
a new system OF bookkeeping This, Of
course, blocked Seelys game. The intro
duction of a new method of keeping ac-
counts would necessitate a review of the
books. and such a review would probably.
If not certainly. disclose the deficiency. Ex-
posure stared Seely n the face Mr. Pease
and his associates suspected nothing wrong
until Friday. but when, on the evening of
that day their suspicious were aroused,
Seely had disappeared. Work was COM
menced on the bank books and accounts,
and early this week the investigation re-
suited in the discovery of Seely's wrong
doing.
The remainder Of the story Is best told
in Vice President Pease's own words: 1.-The
moment we discovered the existence OF
an irregularity in our accounts We called
in the bank examiner and subsequently
asked the assistance Of the clearing house.
The stability of the institution, however,
has not been in the least impaired by this
unfortunate affair. How Mr.. Seely accom-
plished his work Is difficult to say. That
1t required close figuring and accurate cal
culations is evident He must have kept
a private set of books for his own informa-
tion-a sort Of record Of his own shortcom-
ings."
THE BANK SOUND.
For short time 1t was feared that the
bank depositors would become alarmed
over the defalcaton but though number
called at the institution during the after
noon they were easily assured thai all
claims would be met without difficulty.
Seely was under $500 bonds to the bank.
He is forty years of age and resides with
his wife and two children in Brooklyn
He had been in the banks employ for four
teen years.
W. d. Van vleick, cashier of the bank,
began steps also for the apprehension of
the bookkeeper and his alleged accomplice.
Accompanied by lawyer Bishop he visited
District Attorney Fellows The crime being
a federal offense, Mr.. Van Vleick was sent
to United States District Attorney McFar-
lane, with whom he had conference Then
they went before United States Commits
sioner Shields and had some papers signed
which, it was understood, were warrants.
Whether warrants had really been issued
nobody would say. Commissioner Shields
referred everybody to the district attorney,
and the latter has been very reticent.
Seely's operations are said to have extended
through a period of nine years. Lawyer
Angel, his counsel, asserts that Seely was
victimized by his accomplice, who is said
to be Frederick Baker, lawyer. Angel
says Seely got only $1,000 Of the large
amount taken.
John NJ. Crane, president OF the bank,
gave out the following statement Ito the
public this afternoon "A bookkeeper of
this bank has disappeared, and result of
a thorough investigation, made at our re-
quest by the national bank examiner. has
proven him defaulter to the amount of
s345,OOa to meet which the directors have
called on the stockholders for assess
ment sufficient to amply cover any de-
fciency. We append statement by the
clearing house committee"
THE COMMITTEES STATEMENT.
The clearing house COMMITTEES which vis-
tied the bank makes The following state
ment:
..The recent examination of the affairs Of
the National Shoe and Leather Bank by
the national bank examiner developed de-
falcation of $354.0O0. and upon investigation
by the clearinghouse committee this loss
is confirmed The committee is unanimous
in the opinion that Notwithstanding this
loss the bank is in good condition and able
to pay it's depositors."
The statement was signed by George F.
Baker w. w. Sherman. f. II. Perkins. jr..
and G.. G. Williams. The following bank
officers were present during the examination
and have pledged the committee their as
sistance if required George F. Baker. r.
d. Tappen, G. G. Williams. H. w. Cannon.
j. Edward Simmons E. II. Perkins. jr.,
and w. A. Nash
President Crane. OF the defrauded bank.
faulting bookkeeper is Samuel c. Seeley.
OF No. AZ Halsey street, Brooklyn, n. Y.
He has been in the employ of the bank for
the last fourteen years and was one of the
trusted employees. On last Friday afternoon
Seeley applied for leave of absence over
Saturday, promising to return Monday
morning. A substitute was put to work
on his books on Saturday. and Seeley
failed to appear on Monday morning the
same substitute resumed work on the
books. These were discovered to be in such
condition that an examination of them
was Immediately made by the officers OF
the bank. This was finished and the
amount OF the defalcation known by Tues
day night. On Wednesday we sent for the
national bank examiner. E. S. Kimball. who
finished his labors and verified our state
ment this morning. Seeley was guaran-
teed by the United States Guarantee Com
pany for $500 and the officers OF that
company considered him ore of their best
risks Seeley was a man OF very quiet
habits. He has wife a.ad two children
The whereabouts OF Seeiey are known His
wife at present Is prostrated BY the shock
of his crime and subsequent flight. She Is