The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-11
STOLE OVER $4,000
Confession of the Paying Teller of
a Philadelphia Bank.
Spent the Whole Sum on His Family
Under a Fearful Strain for More
Than Twenty Years.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 1o-Theodore r.
Baker, for twenty-eight years the paying
teller Of the Consolidated National Bank,
Of this city, confessed to-day to President
James F. Watson that during the past
twenty years he has tolen more than A7,-
600. He was arrested and held in $4,000
bail for trial In February.
The man. who Is his own accuser, has
had the confidence Of the bank officials for
many years and his dsfalcation could only
be made possible by classifying the indi-
vidual ledger accounts, to which. he fad
access. The first intimation the bank Of
ficials had that anything was wrong was
last night, when a physician, whose name
is kept secret called on President Watson
at his home and told him that he had
learned that a serious defalcation had
taken place in the bank. He told the pres
ident that Mr.. Vandusen, the indi-
vidual ledger boolkkeeper of the bank,
was very Ill as consequence
Of severe nervous strain, and that he had
occurrences in connection with the books
at the bank he was certain that money
was being stolen from the bank and that
Baker, the paying teller, was the thief.
Mr.. Watson came TO the bank early this
morning. a few minutes before the arrival
of Baker. The latter, when he came, was
called into the presidents private office,
where Mr.. Watson, with much hesitancy,
related to Baker what he had been told
countenance and his face became an ashen
hue as he admitted that the story was
How much have you taken?" he was
asked.
"Forty-seven thousand dollars" he re-
piled.
Good God! what have you done with all
the money!" asked Mr.. George Watson, one
of the directors, who was also present
1T went in dr1blets for household ex-
penses,' said Baker.
Shortly after noon Baker was arrested
and taken before United States Commits
Sioner Craig, where a preliminary hearing
peared in behalf of the United States.
while Baker was not represented by
counsel. President Watson, the first wit
ness detailed the foregoing facts. He also
said that Baker had been an employee Of
the bank for the past twenty-eight years,
and he was frequently intrusted with as
much as 500 900 at time Several of the
directors testified to what they had
learned during the day. The commissioner
then fixed the bail at $4,000 for the prison.
ers appearance at court.
will you get bail?" was asked the pris-
oner.
mo; nor will try to do so. / am guilty
and will take my punishment 1 have
been under fearful strain for more than
twenty years 1t was like sitting on a keg
Of gunpowder. l have done nothing with
the money but spend 1t on my family.
They believe that i have another woman,
but that is not so. l have a good wife
and have been very happy together.
1t is only on her account that / suffer.
have made no provision for her. She owns
our house, but there is heavy mortgage
against it,
Asked how the discovery made
Baker said: 'Vandusen. Piersal and my
self had worked at the bank for nearly
thirty years, and the officials had implicit
confidence in me. When i gave them fig
ures and they them in the bank they
were satisfied that everything was all
right. 1t went along so for years until a
week or SO ago. when L was away sick.
1t was then that the figures were altered,
ard | was called to account by Vandusen.
| thought | had succeeded m making him
believe that everything was correct"
An expert will be put 10 work the
books OF the bank tomorrow. The Con-
solidated Is one of the stancnest financial
institutions in this city. IL was organized
in 1855. Its capital stock is 100000 with a
like sum for reserve fund.