Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-01-06
HAMMOND'S SUICIDE.
ViCe-PreSid OF the National
Bank Of Illinois Took His
Own Life.

was found in Lake Michigan. The recent
sensational failure of the bank Of which
Mr.. Hammond was vice-president, led
20 his suicide.
Mr. Hammond retired as usual last
night. This morning the members of his
family, on going to his room, found it
empty. Search was begun for him and
it finally led his friends to the Dempster
pier. They found number of private
papers in Mr.. Hammond's handwriting.
This convinced the searchers that he had
probably committed suicide by jumping
into the lake The federal life-saying
crew at Evanston was immediately mott
fed and began Il quick search tor the
body. A tug was also wired for to come
from Chicago for the same purpose.
Finding of the Body.
It was reported to the coroner at
1850 o'clock this afternoon that the
body of Mr.. Hammond had been recov-
cred from the lake. 1t was found five
blocks above the Dempster street pier.
The body was taken to the Evanston
police station.
Sixteen-year-oid ". e. Gibney with
companion was walking along the beach
i'll the vicinity of Church street when
they sighted the body floating only few
feet from the shore. The race was down
I
the object rs the body of a man. The
boys Immediately ran for assistance and
directed policemen to the spot. The bod.-
by that time was washing almost upon
the beach and the policemen had little
difficulty in hauling it in. The body was
removed to an undertaking establishment.
Hammond was found to be clothed
quite scanuly, as had been supposed, but
the man wore both shoes and stockings,
contrary to the belief of his family. Moth
ing of Importance was found III the peck
cts. Some keys, one of which appeared
to be that of q safely deposit box, were
in the trousers. AT the undertaking rooms
the body of Mr.. Hammond was soon
identified by friends.
Mrs. Hammond is completely prostrat-
ed and is under the constant care of Il
physician. The Cx-banker was the IA
ther of four children. They are Eunice,
is years old; Louis, IL; Elizabeth, Z, and
Lawrence, ,.
Recalls the Death of WasmansdorT
The disappearance of Hammond re-
calls the suicide of Otto Wasmansdorlf,
the banker, a few days ago. Wasmans-
dorff's death was the direct result OF
failure of the National Bank of Illinois.
the collapse Of that institution pulling
down the firm of Wasmansdorff & Helm
nemann, of which WaSmansdorff was the
senior partner asmansdOrff blew his
brains out with revolver.
The home from which Hammond was
missed last evening is situated on Green
wood boulevard, in Evanston. and was
erected five years ago. 1t cost not less
than $4,000 and some of the recent ad-
verse criticisms Of Mr.. Hammond We're
based on the current allegation that 1t
represented some of his improper gains.
When Mr.. Hammond was ready to build
his present home he paid l.. d. Shepard,
the business agent of the Northwestern
university, the highest price ever paid in
Evanston for residence property. This
was $500 foot and it made the total
valuation Of his home $4,000 The in
terror furnishings are in keeping with
the exterior of the house and within the
past month these have been augmented
by purchases Of $4,000 worth of addi-
tional furniture.
As q prominent resident of Evanston
Mr.. Hammond's name appeared upon all
the town club rolls and he was specially
well known at the Evanston club. lie
was a member of ST Marks Episcopal
church. In addition to his official duties
in the Illinois National bank Mr.. Ham
mond was director i'll the Oakland Ma
tional bank. the Phoenix Insurance COM
pany of Brooklyn. Streets cable car
line, the Chicago Opera house and the
Chicago railway.
Charges Against MT. Hammond.
The first open charges against the bust
made only about ten days ago Then he
was accused of enacting the character Of
"kiter' He was also accused of de-
ceiving the directors CT the bank, the
depOsitOrS and deliberately violating the
national bank law His alleged irregu-
larities were said TO have been begun
many years ago when he was first made
vice-president, it being alleged that he
used the money and credit of the bank
in outside speculation. This was done
in such a manner, it was generally re-
ported, that not only were the directors
deceived but the bank examiners as
well. Even old employees Of the bank
thoroughly familiar with the inside
workings Of the place are said to have
been unaware of what was going on I'M
der their eyes. When It was openly
charged that the second vice-president
had falsiied the bank accounts an in
vestigation suggested that the irregulari-
ties must have begun at least four years
ago. At this time Mr.. Hammond IS
said to have interested himself in the
now famous Calumet Electric railway
1t is now believed that the first over
drafts to this railway, amounting to
$4,000 were made 1T this time, when
the comptroller of the currency immedi-
ately called for Il statement from the
! bank, and Hammond disguised the II
regularity by. designating the oyerdrafts
foreign exchange" BUT this alleged
| of diligent service in the institution, the
Wrecking of which proved disastrous to
SO many. In these years he had saved
money, worked early and late and the
prominent position he came to occupy
was the result of his years of frugality
and merit. With the first desire to aug
| ment his proper salary his speculative
eyes turned far from the bank. Some
Of his savings invested legitimately in
mining schemes brought him Il good
profit. which he Immediately put into the
stock Of the bank. After he had served
rs cashier and came to be the second
vice-president of the bank it is said he
began to personally interest himself in
many corporations which were applicants
for loans and that il this way. in course
of time, his Judgment became biased
! From careful banker, those who are now
engaged in clearing away the wreckage
| of the financial house Of which he was
| practically the head, say he soon drifted
| into unwarranted speculation. Where
| these turned out badly. the vice-president
| is now accused Of sending good" money
| after dad" and Disgusting his overloans
! i'll various and illegal ways.
Opinions OF Bank Officers.
At the National Bank of Illinois the
1 OpiOiOp U-oS tbat tho .rrSnot man