St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-11-25
4 SLICK DEFAULTER.
New York Bookkeeper Gets
Away With $354,000
in Cash.
VERY SUCCESSFUL SWINDLE
By Which the National Shoe
and Leather Bank Is
the Loser.
VERY SUCCESSFUL SWINDLE
BANK is STILL SOLVENT.
Detectives Think That Two
We're Concerned in
the Deal.

NEW YORK, Nov. "a. - Samuel c.
Seeley, an assistant bookkeeper in the
National Shoe and Leather bank, has
disappeared with S354. 900 of the banks
funds. Seeley was aided by confed-
crate, the bank officials are certain.
Indeed they 20 so far as TO assert
that the Identity of Seeley'S ac-
complice is known to the police
and that detectives either have him
in custody or will soon apprehend him.
This confederate was not an attache
of the bank. though it was admitted he
was a depositOr. According to Vice
President Pease, Seeley 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, with
al. successful. According to Mr..
Pease's statement. the entire ex-
ecutiOn of the scheme lay j1
transpOsing the accounts with the as
sistance of a confederate. On Thurs
day, Nov. ID. the bank commenced to
prepare for the inauguration of new
system of bookkeeping. This, of course,
blocked Seeley's game. The introduc.
tiOn of new method Of keeping ac-
counts would necessitate a review of the
books, and such a review would prob
ably, if not certainly, disclose the de-
tciency.
Exposure stared Seeley in the face.
Mr.. Pease and his associates suspected
nothing wrong until Friday, but when
on the evening of that day their sus-
piciOns were aroused Seeley had disap-
peareed. Work was commenced on the
books and accounts, aud early this week
the investigation reeulted in the dis
= cOVery of Seeley's wrong>doing.
An Officers Version.
The remainder of the story is best told
IN Vice President Pease's own words:
The moment we discovered the eX.
istence OF an irregularity in our ac-
counts 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 unfortu-
nate affair.",
3 "HOw Mr.. Seeley accomplished his
work is difficult to say. That it re-
quired close figuring and accurate cal
CulatiOns is evident. He must have
kept private set of books for his own
international sort of record of his own
shortcomings"
For a short time it was feared that the
bank depositors would become alarmed
over the defalcation, but though a num-
Der called at the institution during the
afternoon they were easily assured that
all claims would be met without diff
fculty.
Seeley was under 81, 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 fourteen years.
w. Van VIeich, cashier of the bank.
began steps also for the apprehension
Of the boOkkeeper and his alleged ac-
cOmplice.
Accompanied by Lawyer Bishop. he
visited District Attorney Fellows. The
crime being federal offcnse, Mr.. Van
tleich was sent to United States Dis
trict Attorney McFarlane, with whom
he had conference. They went be-
ford United States Commissioner Shields
and mad some papers signed, which, it
is understood, were warrants. Whether
warrants had really been issued nobody
would say. Commissioner Shields re-
ferred everybody to the district at.
torney, and the latter was very reticenC,
Seeley'S operations are said to have
extended through a period of nine
years. Lawyer Angel. his counsel, as
serts that Seeley was victimized by an
accomplice, who is said to be Frederick
Baker, lawyer. Angel says Seeley
got only Sll,GO0 of the large amount
taken
Tho Official Statement.
John NJ. Crane. the president of the
National Shoe and Leather bank, gave
out the following statement at the bank
Ihis afternoon:
To the Public: A bookkeeper Of this bank
mas disappeared. and The result OF a thor
ough investigation. made at our request by
the national bank examiners has proven
him defauter 10 the amount Of S}54O0O 10
meet which the directors have called on the
btOckhOluerS Tor an assessment sufficient to
amply cover any deficiency We amend a
statement by the clearing house committee.
JOHN NJ. CRANE, President
The clearing house committee which
has visited the bank makes the follow
Ing statument.
The recent examination of the affairs of
Lhe NRuoh Shoe and Leather bank by the
national bank examiner. develoned a defaI0
ration OF S554. 00o, and upon investigation by
y clearing house committee the loss is con
brned. The committee are unanimous in
lhe OPINION that notwithstanding the loss the
bank is in a sound condition and able TO nav
lts depOstorS.
GEORGE ?. BAKER,
". w. SHERMAN
+. II. PERKINS JR.,
@. g. WILLIAMS,
Committee.
The following officers were present during
the examination and have pledged the com