Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-26
ANOTHER FIGGATT.
But II Is Cashier Hammer, Of The First
National Bank, LynchbufS.
FOR EMBExzLEMExr.
His shortage Amounts to s25,O00,
and lie said II Was Taken UaAsr
the Most Distressing Circum-
stances.
stances.

ciai)-I.ike bolt OF lightning from
clear sky came TO many the news on
Sunday that Mr.. Walker q. Hammer.
teller Of the First Nationss Bank, was
under arrest at the staton-house, charged
with appropriating to his own use $1,000
of the funds OF the bank. Many refused
to credit the story for some time, thinking
IL was a new rumor about the Lexington
matter, and did not have the news con-
firmed until late in the day, when IL was
town talk. All during the afternoon knots
of businessmen stood about on the street.
corners and discussed the matter, while
some friends OF the unfortunate man told
the story with tears In their eyes.
III | had been asked to pick out the
man above all others that would have
trusted" said one friend. lit would have
been Walker Hammer" and that was the
sum and substance OF the remarks OF
many.
HIS RECOHO.
Born and reared In Lynchburg. early In
life embracing the Christian religion. a
Sunday-school and church-worker, at all
times OF good habits, man who pre-
ferred his home TO dissipattons, and
prominent member OF the College HUI
Baptist church-one of its founders-who
would have thought for a moment that ne
would be placed under arrest on such a
charge? IL was a sad fact. For some time
the officers of the bank have suspected
that there was some irregularity In the
books, but none thought that the trusted
teller was at fault.
THE GUILTY MAN.
A quiet investigation was in progress
when Mr. Hammer confessed that he was
the guilty party. and statement care
fully kept by him showed that MS
shortage amounted TO $3c0. In small
sums covering a period of seven years.
The result of the investigation and con.
fesslon was shock to the officers, ana
there was but one thing to be done-viz.'
have him placed under arrest
A telephone-meSsage was sent 70 the
police station, requesting the presence
of an officer at the bank Sergeant PEN
dleton. who was on duty at tho time. re-
sronded, and on his way down met Ser
geant Seay. who accompanied him.
NO VIOLENCE INTENDED.
In reply TO the question II warrant
had been sworn out, the president of the
bank said there was none whereupon
Sergeant Pendleton said IL the amount
was large enough to come under the
charge OF felony he had authority e.
make the arrest, and would do so. Mr.
Hammer passed into an inner room about
that time and the Sergeant. fearing that
he might do violence to himself, went into
the room. where he found Mr.. Hammer
writing a letter. When told by the Ser
geant of his fears. MIR. Hammer said be
had no idea OF doing anything OF the
kind. and appeared cool and collected.
THE COOLEST MAN.
"Tn fact" said the Sergeant, "Mr. Ham.
ner was the coolest man In the crowd"
At the statlon-house Mr.. Hammer asked
the Sergeant what kind Of a warrant h'
had for him. and he was told that he had
none AZ all.
THAT does not matter" replied Mr.
Hammer, and he dld not demand q war-
rant.
HOW IT WAS TAKEN
81 would Ike for my friends 10 know
one thing" he said. ''and that is not
copper Of the money was expended by RE
| I'm dissipation. II was taken under the
most distressing circumstances
All day yesterday Mr.. Hammer was vs-
| tied by sympathetic friends and an effort
! was made To obtain an amount sufficient
/ 10 cover his shortage, but up 20 this hour
It has failed The defaulting teller waH.
| at the request OF Captain II. II r Adam-,
president Of the bank. taken 90 the bank
| from the staiion-house this morning 20
assist the hank officers in adjusting hIs
| accounts. The work has been I'm progress
| all day. and an official statement viii be
given out for publication tonight
LATER-THE STATEMENT.
The bank officials have Just issued
statement To the public. az follows: IAN
| exhaustive examination into the condition
OF the First National Bank OF Lynchburg
| made by a competent committee OF the
Beard OF Directors. disclOses the fact
that the shortage of the teller In cash
amounts to S25. i6s which. II Is expected
Will be diminished by his security bond
OF sl5 O0O. In addition to this $4,000 we
find In the teller's possession the checks
Of sundry parties aggregatng &.iGSI3.
which we apprehend are nearly worthless.
though this may be diminished by some
expected payments and securities. This
is the worst that II ia possible TO make
| OF the situation. and the solvency %
this institution IL not impaired. and the
| assets OF the bank show that II still
has a large surplus, and II II entitled 10
the confidence OF the people"
ANOTHER ARREST.
Another sensation was sprung tonight
by tho arrest of Robert ii. Pannill, ticket
agent OF the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
| road, charged with being In collusion with
| Teller Hammer. Checks OF Pannill's &c
| the amount OF over 5000 were founc
| In Hammers cash-drawer. and are In
| cluded among the worthless assets re-
| ferred to In the statement given out by
| the bank officials. Pannill is a young
married man, about 80 years OF age. and
came here as an employee OF the Chesa.
| peaks and Ohio railroad about twelve
| years ago He married daughter OF
| Colonel ~ Il. Floyd. Of this city. and
has been regarded as a leading society
man. He is son OF Captain Robert
| Pannlll, OF Petersburg.
| TEfLERS CHECKS.
| Hammer succeeded In decelving the banb
| examiners and bank officers by the use
| OF tellers' checks. When he expected his
| accounts TO be examined ne would bor-
| row from the teilers of the various city
banks a sufficient amount to cover his
shortage, returning the amounts the fol-
| lowing day.
Hammer and Pannlll are both In jail
| tonight, not having succeeded in securing
| bail.
| PANNILL GIVES BAIL
| LYNCHBURG, VA, February 26-At
| 1890 this morning Pannill gave bail In
the penalty OF $4,000, with Captain n.
| ]. Floyd as security.
Fifty-Seyenth Ballot.
| ba