The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-03
another BANK SWINDLED
This Time the Manufacturers Nat
iOnal Bank.SufferS.
A BOOKkEEPER IS ACCUSED
Austin Leitch Allows Bank Deposition
TO Overdraw His Account S7,900-The
Discharge of the Official Brings
the Matter to Light.
By the United Press.

BY the United Press.
New York, Dec. "A ltppld was
caused in financial circles over the
news of another bank defalcation, with
many of the curious features which
have distinguished those in the Chem
ical and in the Shoe and Leather bank,
came to light yesterday.
In this last instance, the distinguish
ing feature Is the smallness of the
| amount which the bank will lose but,
as in the other two cases, according to
the stories told about them, the guilty
bank official realized nothing from his
wrong doing, and the money which was
taken from the institution has gone
into the pockets of depositor.
The Manufacturers National bank
located at 72 Broadway, Williamsburg,
is out an amount said not to exceed
| $500 through the dishonesty of one of
its trusted bookkeepers. This man was
| e. Austin Leitch, who had been con-
nected with the institution for about
| four years.
Curiously enough, Leitch was dis
| charged from the Manufacturers Ma
tional bank about three months ago,
| while the defalcation only came to light
during the last week. 1t was exposed
through the change in bookkeepers,
necessitated by. Leitch's dismissal and
when the guilty bookkeeeper was called
to task he acknowledged what had been
going on.
The name of the .depositor has not
| been announced.
The officers of the bank hope to re-
cover the full amount, and for that rea-
son were averse yesterday to giving
out the name of the depositor who re-
ceived it, as their efforts to get hold of
the $500 were only made during the
last two days.
Leitch was first employed by the
Manufacturers bank four years ago, as
a general clerk. President Loughran,
who had previous to this time befriend-
ed him, secured the position for him.
He was promoted about two years ago
to the position of bookkeeper in charge
of some of the depositors accounts.
He was found to be rather careless
about his work and inattentive to the
duties that devolved upon him, and
| finally it became necessary, three
months ago, to discharge him because
he persisted in reaching the bank late
in the morning.
No Suspicion Entertained.
| Not suspicion was entertained at
that time that there was anything
| wrong with his accounts or that he was
in any manner dishonest. Another OF
the general clerks was promoted to take
his vacated place, and, through motives
| of prudence, the bank officials made an
examination of Leltch's books, so as to
| satisfy themselves that they correctly
| balanced.
| 1t was not until a week or so ago, the
work having progressed in a slow man.
ner, that the discovery was made by the
new bookkeeper that the banks ac.
| $1,000 or more.
Then careful inquiry was set on foot
and 1t soon developed that there was a
shortage Of $500. President Loughrar
sent for Leitch, who lives at 1855 Wash
ington avenue, and when the dis
charged employe reached the bank he
was informed Of the discovery that
had been made and asked what he knew
about it.
Leitch confessed that he had con.
nived at the fraud. He admitted that
this depostor had induced him to per.
NIT of the overdraft on plea that the
money would be returned very soon and
no one would be the wiser This oc.
Cured about year ago.
Was Put OFF from Time TO Time.
Leitch had endeavored, he asserted
to compel this depositor to make good
his account so that he could square the
books and save the bank from loss anG
himself from exposure, but said the
man put him off from time to time with
promises, and compelled him to observe
secrecy because of his own completely
in the defalcation. So the matter hat
gone on until this accidental discovery
President Loughran sent for this de
positor, who did not respond to the
call. His father instead, went to the
bank and was there informed of thu
sons act. The father himself failed re
Gently, and it will be very difficult fol
the bank to recover the money form
either him or his son, though the Of
ficials hope 1t can be done.
1t Is comparatively small amount
as thebank's officials view it, because tn,
Manufacturers National is one Of tn,
Oldest and most stable institutions IL
Brooklyn, II has capital of $3.50, 900
and surplus of $275, 900, with a pre-
MUM of $4,000.