The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-11-28

NEW YORK. Nov. 24-Samuel c. See
". an assistant booskeeper in the Nation
al shoe and leather bank has disappeared
with S354OOO Of the banks funds Seely
was aided by confederate. the bank Of
hcia-s .-e certain. Indeed. they go so
far rs = assert that the identity Of Seely's
accomplice is known to the police. ard
that detectives either have him in custody
or will soon appreheud him. This confed-
crate was not an attache Of the bank.
though it is intimated that he was a deposi-
tor. According to Vice-President Pease,
Seely 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 withal sue
cessfui. According to Mr.. Pease's state
ment the entire execution of the scheme
lay In transposing the accounts, with the
assistance Of a confederate.
On Thursday, Nov To- the bank COM
menced to prepare for the Inauguration of
a new system OF bookkeeping. This, OF
course, blocked Seely's game. The intro
duction of a new method of keeping ac-
counts would necessitate q review of the
books and such . review would probably,
if not certainly, disclose the deficiency.
Exposure stared Seely in the face. Mr..
Pease and his associates suspected nothing
wrong until Friday, but when on the even
ing of that day their suspicious were
aroused, Seely had disappeared Work
was commenced on the bank books and
accounts and early this week the investi-
cation resulted in the discovery OF Seely's
wrong-dolnC.
r,l,e rome ir,igor ~ -6. sto,-,- 10 hes+ +o15
in Vice-P President Pease's own words:
THE moment We discovered the existence
Of an irregularity in our accounts we
called in the bank examiner and subse--
quently asked the assistance Of the clear
ing house. The stability OF the institu-
ton, however, has not been IN the least
impaired by this unfortunate affair. How
Mr.. See,y accomplished his work is diff
ncuit 10 say.
That it required close figuring and ac-
curate calculations Is evident. He must
have kept a private set Of books for his
own infOrmation-a sort Of record Of his
own short comings."
For short time 1t was feared that the
bank depositOrs would become alarmed
over the defalcauOn. but though a num-
Der called at the institution during the
al claims wOu.1 be met without difficulty.
Seely was under $500 bonds 20 the
bank. He is forty years Of age and re-
sides with his wife and two children in
Brooklyn.
He had been in the banks employ for
fourteen years.
w. d. Van Vleick, cashier Of the bank,
began steps also FOR the apprehension of
the boOk-keeper and his alleged accom-
plice. Accompanied by Lawyer Bishop
he visited District Attorney Fellows. The
crime being a federal ofiense, Mr.. Van
Vlcick was sent to United States District
Attorney McEarlane, with whom he had
a conference. Then they went before
United States Commissioner Shields and
had some papers signed. which ft was un-
derstood were warrants. Whether war
rants had really been issued nobody
would say. Commissioner Shields re-
ferred everybody TO the district attorney
and the latter has been very reticent.
Secly's operations are SAID to have eS-
tended through q period Of nine years.
Lawyer Angel, his counsel, asserts that
Seely was victimized by his accomplice.
who is said 10 be Frederick Baker, law
YER. Angel says Seely got only $1,000 of
the large amount taken.
President Crane OF the defrauded bank
In speaking Of the affair said:
'The defaulting bookkeeper Is Samuel
c. Seely Of 422 Halsey-st.. Brooklyn, n.
Y He has been I'm the employ of the
bank for the last fourteen years and was
one of our trusted employees. on last
leave of absence over Saturday, promising
10 return Monday morning. A substitute
was put to work on his books on Satur-
day and as See.y failed 10 appear on
Monday morning the same substitute re-
sumed work on the books. These were
discovered to be in such a condition that
an examination Of them was Immediately
made by the officers of the bank.
"This was finished and the amount of
the defalcation known by Tuesday night.
ant fha al
bank examiner, Il. S. Kimball who fin
ished his labors and verified our state
ment this morning. Seely was guaranteed
by the United States guarantee company
for 81, 500 and the officers Of that com
pany considered him one of their best
risks SeeIy was a man of very quiet
habits He has a wife and two children.
The whereabouts Of Seely are known.
His wife at present is prostrated by the
shock Of his crime and subsequent flight.
She Is very I'll, we have been told"