St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-11
NEARLY FIFTY THOUSAND,
Paying Teller of q Philadelphia
Bank Took q Neat Sum. -

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 10.-Theodore
f. Baker, for twenty-eight years the
paying teller of the Consolidation Ma
tional bank. this city, confessed today
to President James F. Watson that dur
ing the past twenty years he has stolen
more than $4,000. He was arrested apd
held in $4,000 bail for trial in February.
The first intimation the bank officers
had that anything was wrong was last
night, when physician, whose name is
kept secret, called upon President
Watson at his home and told him that
he had learned that a serious de-
falcation had taken place in the bank.
He told the president that Mr..
Van Duzen, the individual ledger
bookkeeper of the bank, was very i'll,
as conSeQ uence of severe nervous
strain, and that he had told his medical
adviser that from certain occurrences
in connection with the books at the
bank he was certain that money was
being stolen. and that 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, re-
lated what he had been told by the phy-
stefan. The paying teller changed
color, and his face became aShen hue as
he admitted that the story was true.
"How much have you taken 2" he
was asked.
'Forty-seven thousand dollars" he
replied.
Good God! What have you done
with all the money ?" asked Mr.. Wat
son.
ut went in driblets for household ex-
penses," said Baker.
Shortly after noon Baker was arrested
and taken before United States Com
missioner Craig, where preliminary
hearing was had. District Attorney
Ingham appeared in behalf of the
United States, while Baker was not rem
resented by counsel.
President Watson, the first witness.
detailed the foregoing facts. He also
said that Baker had been ali employe of
the bank for the past twenty-eight
years, and he was frequently entrusted
with as much as 100000 at time.
Several OF the directors testified as to
what they had learned during the day.
'iN NOAAIhAiooAOllSl bHCIi llACI lIlG Ddll
at $4,000 for the prisoners appearance
at court.
will you get bail?" was asked the
prisoner.
mo, nor will try to do so. I am
guilty, and will take my punishment. |
have been under a fearful strain for
more than twenty years. 1t was like
sitting on keg of gunpowder. 1 have
done nothing with the money but spent
on my family"
Asked how the discovery was made.
Baker said: Ivan Duzen, Piersal and
myself had worked at the bank for
nearly thirty years and the Off
Gals had implicit confidence in
me. and when l gave them figures.
and they saw them in the book.
they were satisfied that everything
was all right. 1t went along all right
until week or so ago, when was
away sick and it was then that the fig
ures were altered and was called to
account by Van DuZen. l thought |
had succeeded in making him believe
that everything was correct"
An expert will be put to work on the
books tomorrow,
The Consolidation is one of the
staunchest financial institutions in this
city. 1t was organized in 1856. Its
capital stock is S3O0,0 with like sum
for reserve fund.