The herald., 1894-11-11
SAN BERNARDINO.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK TO
60 INTO LIQUIDATION.
The District Attorney CIsars President
Brown From Unfoundtd RumoFs
About the Cotton Tire-Death
of Principal York.

SAN BERNARDGNo. Nov. 10.-The seu~
sation OF the week, outside OF the Barnen
poisoning case, was the euepension
OF the Firat National bank, and since
the doors closed on Wednesday the ar
has been full OF rumora, most OF them
very wild, and all relating to Joseph
Brown. president OF the bank.
For years Brown has 3een the Repub-
lican DOES OF San Bernatdlno county
and ia well known as succsasf0l
schemer, and on thia ground his ingn-
cial and private matters have been in
quired ino by political opponents fo2
campaign purposes.
AZ president OF the bank he is accused
OF uaing the funds OF the institution foR
the iurtherance OF his private affairs,
but this is denied by his supporters. es.
pecially as his candidates on the Res
publican ticket this late election have
not used enough to cause any ground
for suoh rumor, go this report explode
ed very quickly.
A more serious rumor and the one
that WAS the most direct cause OF the
bank closing was q charge OF arson
against him, not preferred Dy oHicsr5,
but man named Lewis who is await
ing trial for attempting to fire the build
ing known as the Peacock block in Col.
ton and owned by Mr.. Brown.
Lewis, after hia arrest, stated that he
was hired by Jos. Brown TO burn the
block, and this report circulated on the
eve Of the election created fear in the
minds OF depositora of the bank, and the
directors in consultation decided that
Tor the best interests of the bank the
president should resign. The matter was
broaChed TO Mr.. Brown and he reiuBed
to vacate, The direGtors then withdrew
their personal dep0eitg, and run being
imminent the officials decided to close
the bank. The reports OF arson against
MIR. Brown have been freely circulated
since, as three incsndiary fires lately
have occurred. the property involved be-
ing mortgnged in favor OF Brown. This
set tongues wagging, and for sevsrai
days Mr.. Brown has been reported aH
under arrest, out on bail, and yesterday
rumor had him suicide. The district
attorney published the following card
in last evenings Timea.Indox in denial
OF the report:
EDIroRs TINES INDEX Referring to
the rumors connecting the name of
Joseph Brown, president of the First
National bank of San Bernardino, with
the burning of various buildings owned
by him or in which he has an interest,
permit mo TO Hay that Mr.. Brown has
not been arrested nor hae any complaint
been filed charging him with arson or
any other crime. Moreover, from the
testimony adduced at the examination
of Lewis and from such Investigations aH
| have made, find absolutely nothing
10 warrant any charge or suspicion
against Mr.. Brown. | make this atate-
ment as matter of simple juHtice to
fellow-citizen and without the nowledge
OF Mr.. Brown. FRANK F. OsTER,
District Attorney.
James M. Harcourt, special agent OF
the Liverpool and London and Globs
Insurance company, VINO has been in
vestigatng the matter, in card exon
crates Mr.. Brown, but the rumors have
not been stopped and probably will not
be for several days. The result is that
the bank will not reopen, bat will go
into liquidation. although the officers
say depositors will be paid in full. 1t
has made big sensation in this city
and will continue to afford food for gos-
sip for days to come.
DEATH OF PRINCIPAL YORK.
Robert @. York. principal of the
grammar achool OF this city. who has
been suffering from typhoid fever for
the past month at the Satera' hospital,
died this morning at 5 O'Clock. Th9
funeral will take place tomorrow (Sun<
day) ct 8 p. m. from the First M. Ee
church. under the auspices of Valley
lodge. No. 27, Knights of Pythias. Piof.
York has been connected with the pubs
lie schools of this city for the past three
years and held responsible position.
He is young man, but as an educator
is we'll known on the coast. His death
is deeply deplored.
NOTES.
The New Stewart hotel is nearly com.
rooms has begun. 1t will be opened
about the first of December.
The ladies of the Congregational
church are working enthusiastically to
make the chryeanthemum fair TO be
given ON the 18th, 10th and 18th sues
cess. They have arranged ior fine mu-
sical and literary programmes for each
evening. Saturday will be children'e
and kindergarten day,
Bishop Nichols. of the California
Episcopal diocese. was in the city yes.
terday and was tenderad reception al
the residence of Mira. @. A. Mettler, ON
Third street, in the afternoon. In the
evening the bishop held interesting
services at st. Johns church, which
were largely attended.
Mrs. G. A. Hudson, wife of the first
assistant auditor of the Santa Fe, whe
has been visiting friends here the past
month, returns to her home in Topeka
Monday. She will be accompanied by
her sister, Miss Louise Willis, who will
be ner guest this winter.
M. F. Cropley, the hvervmsn, went
to Los Angeles yesterday. He will res
turn tomorrow with the new Stewart
bus.
The Scotch residents of the city are
preparing for o celebration OF Robbie
Burns birthday on the 28Ih of jar
uary.
Through the Lines, military drama,
will be presented by Company Z, N. G.
O., at the opera house on the goth.
Katie Emmett is the next attraction
at the opera house, appealing here
Tuesday, the 18th.
KEN Reelected.