The morning news., 1894-09-30
AFTER TWENTY-ONE YEARS
4 Lot Of Money Stolen from The
Southern Bank Found in France.


1t Was in the Lining of Pair of Old
Shoes Worn by Allan @. Jones, a De-
faultinR Book-keeper and Clerk Who
Did the Bank for over 100000 by
the Use of New York Excbange-In-
formation With Regard to the Find
Sent Here from France and a Series
of Interrogatories to Be Taken.
The news comes from Paris of the dis
covery there of a lot of money which is in
all probability, the rightful property Of
the Southern Bank of this city, and steps
are being taken which may lead to its re-
covery. OF this, however the banks
officers are somewhat doubtful
The report, which has been confirmed
by official advices, brings up the story Of
what was at first the mysterious disap-
pearance of Allan 6. Jones, general book
keeper of the Southern bank, Feb. p,
1873, but which was soon after accounted
for when il was discovered that a large
amount of the banks funds had disap-
peared with him, the money being OBJ
tanned through a well laid plan and an
effective scheme.
The information with regard TO the
find came from Paris in the form Of an
official document addressed through the
French consul at this port to the judge of
the superior court, and it was by Judge
Falligant turned over to the officers Of
the Southern Bank. With the informa-
tion in the document which came from
the French judiciary came notice or re
quest that an examination be held, or a
series Of interrogatories taken here, with
s view 70 determining all the facts in
connection with these funds, perhaps for
the purpose Of establishing whether
there is any criminality attaching TO the
parties in whose hands they have been
found. as well as to determine VINO is the
rightful owner of the property.
BANK OFFICIALS RETICEET.
The officials of the bank refused to say
anything with regard to the information
they had received beyond the fact that a
series of interrogatories was to be taken,
when the facts in connection with the
paper received viii probably be made
known. This will probably be done
through the channels of the superior
court. None of those through whose
hands the papers have passed would give
any Information with regard to what they
contained. The story Of the case, how
ever, is obtained from other sources in so
far as the disappearance of Jones and his
fate is concerned.
Allan Gilmer Jones was a native Of
Bangor, Me, and came to Savannah from
Augusta about 1871, with high recon-
mendations. He was in the employ OF
the Southern Bank of Savannah as gen
eral bookkeeper for about two years. He
was looked upon during that time as a
man of the highest integrity, and no sus-
picion was ever attached to his name.
Even after he disappeared it was not be-
lieved that he had done anything wrong
until it was discovered that the bank was
out large amount.
THE WAY JONES WENT
Feb. 81, 1873 he left Savannah with his
wife, os tensibly for Charleston on busi-
ness, Nothing whatever was thought
about the matter until two weeks later.
Tuesday, March 4, 1873. there was an ac-
count of his disappearance published in
the MORNING NEWS. 1t stated that he
had left Savannah for Charleston with
his wife Friday, Feb. p; that on reach
ing that city he left his wife at a hotel
and proceeded on the Northeastern road
TO point about l5O miles from Charles
ton with the intention of going
from there to a place in the
country ten miles distant from
the railroad to settle up some
business with his brother, that since that
time nothing had been heard from him.
and much anxiety was experienced by his
friends with regard to his safety. 1t went
on TO state that the high reputation which
MIR. Jones enjoyed in the community did
not countenance the impression of any
thing unworthy in connection with his
disappearance. Ii was believed that in
terruptiOn to travel, caused by freshets,
or sickness or some accident, was re-
sponsible for his disappearance, and his
account at the bank was said to be cor
rect.
DROPPED OUT OF SIGHT.
The next day there was published a
short item stating nothing had been heard
from him, and on March 8, 1873, the
MORNING News stated that it regretted
its impressions with regard TO Jones
previously stated had been erroneous, aud
that while in Savannah he had long been
concoctlng scheme of villainy His DO
sition gave him control OF sight exchanges
on New York and he filled out several
blank checks in his favor, signed by the
cashier, and marked the stubs cancelled
After leaving his wife in Charleston he
went to New York, drew the money in
person and left for nobody knows where.
The extent of the defal, alton was esti-
mated at from So, ,O0O to S65, 900, but the
statement was authorized at the time by
the board of directors Of the bank that IL
would not 20 over $40, 900, ana that the re-
serve fund was more than sufficient to
cover the loss.
Jones, it seems, aspired to the dignity
of warden in one of the churches here
and for long time figured in religious
role. Rev. j. G. Stanley of his church
went to South Carolina and made a search
for the missing man before the story of
the defalcation became known. IL seems
that this defalcation resulted in a sort of
mania and several others small in
amount were discovered close upon it.
THE BANK GOT LEFT.
1t was afterwards explained that Jones
had gone TO nissan * Co. and asked to be
allowed TO overdraw his account, which
was refused for business reasons. He
then drew the money through drafts on
the Park National Bank, but as the Sig
nature of the cashier on the original
checks was found TO be genuine, the
Southern Bank suffered the loss