The times., 1898-10-14
HONOR dies With DEATH
senatbr /. c. Platt's Trusted
Lieutenant an Embezzler.
TIOGA BANK HIS VICTIM
In Twenty Years He Stole 100000
Discovery of His Crime-Mr. Platt,
Who Was President of the Institu-
ton, VIII Not Talk.

Owego, N. Y, Oct 13.-The death of a
heretofore honored citizen of Owego. Ell
Stone, at an early hour yesterday morn
ing. was the only reason why he is not
under arrest for the embezzlement of
$4,000 or more from the Tioga National
Bank. of Owego. of which United States
Senator T. c. Piatt is president. and his
brother cashier. The story. from AN ap-
parently unquestionably reliable source. is
follows:
Mr.. Stone was taken slightly Ill last
week. and his son, DR.. William NJ. Stone.
OF New York. who is visiting at home.
advised him to stay in the house for a
few days Accordingly, he remained at
home. During his absence a bank ex-
aminer made his official visit to the bank
and found false entry in the books over
which Mr.. Stone had charge. The bank
examiner said nothing to the other Of
hcials about his discovery. but laid the
facts before Comptroller Dawes. He re-
turned to Owego last Tuesday. and this
time he discovered still further and
deeper proofs of crookedness. He notified
certain bank officials, and they made a
visit that evening to Mr.. Stone at his
residence.
Acknowledged His Guilt.
Stone. when confronted with the facts,
acknowledged his guilt without a tremor,
and coolly asked how they mad caught
him. 1t is further said that he told them
that the exact amount of his peculations
was $4,000. and that they had extended
. rala sfN
to those who saw and heard the confess
| sion.
That night, about $3.50 a. m, Mr. Stone
! died in chill or convulsion, from which
the prompt attention of his son. the doc
| tor, who was In the house at the time,
! could not save him. Much curiosity has
| existed as to the cause OF Mr.. Stones
/ death, but as no death certificate had
! been filed, the curiosity was and is
! bafIied
Senator Platt Is the president of fhe
bank, and his brother Frederick E
! Platt. is the cashier. Senator Platt and
his son, Harry b. Platt. We're here this
! afternoon, Cashier F. E Platt is an old
/ and feeble man, and the active charge and
cares of such financial institution were
! assumed by Mr.. Stone than whom Sena-
tor Piatt had no more intelligent and
trusted lieutenant in the Empire State.
Senator Piatt's EARLY Chum
Mr. Platt and Mr.. Stone were boys to-
gether. there being but three years differ
ence in their ages. They attended school
together in the old academy on Court
Street. and had always been on the most
intimate terms; hence. when Mr.. Platt
| entered the political field Mr. Stone was
enthusiastic in his support and continued
! his close personal and political friend and
cOnfidant.
Mr.. Stone was easily the first gentleman
of Owego. as far dignified personal ap-
pearance Is concerned. and his breeding
! and mental attributes We're equal to the
best. Suave. polished. we'll dressed and
courteous to all. he was the beau ideal of
many younger man, and few thought
that sixty-two years had crowned his
| head.
The great problem seems to b. not
Where did he get it?'' but What did
he do with it," He was the recipient Of
salary from the bank OF g. 500 per year
/ For several terms he was county treas
urer of Tioga County, at n good salary
and was reputed to have received a hand
some bequest from the estate of his faith
er. William p. Stone, former prominent
business man of Owego. His household
has not been a particularly expensive one
save the outlay necessary to send his son
through college and to establish him in
business.
Prominent in Politics.
Mr.. Stone was born in Owego December
4. 1896 He entered the sophomore class
of Madison University now Colgate),
where he was graduated in 1850 with the
degree OF A. B. Three years later the
same institution conferred upon him the
degree Of A. VI. After graduating he ac-
cepted the position of professor of rhit-
oric of Madison University. which he held
until the breaking out of the Civil War
He was one of the first to enlist in the
Third New York Volunteers. and was
promoted to first lieutenant soon after his
enlistment. In September, 1861 he mar
ried Charlotte Metcalf. At the close Ct
the war he studied law with the firm of
Tracy & Catlin. but did not practice. Mr..
Stone was. in 1861, made assistant cashier
of the Tioga National Bank, position
which he held continuously up toGhe time
of his death. Mr. Stone was very promi-
nent in Republican politics and held the
position of county treasurer for num-
ber of terms. He is survived by his wife.
!, his mother, Mrs. William p. Stone; a
brother James 7. Stone. Of Rome; and
. two children. Mrs. Clarence 7. Wall. of
Owego. ard DR.. William NJ. Stone. of
New York city.
The Hank huy Weather 1t.
Senator Platt utterly refused to believe
the talk about the banks affairs. saying
he had nothing to say. The bank had
been open today during the usual hours
and took deposits up to the closing.
Cashier Platt knew nothing was wrong
until the order came to close the doors
of the bank. The shock of the knowledge
of the wrongdoing to him and others
was a severe one. The bank was organ
ized in 1865 and since that time T. G..
Platt has abeen president, F. E. Platt
cashier and We. Stone assistant cashier.
II has always been considered one of the
most carefully conducted financial insti-
tutions in the southern tier and if the
| defalcationf is no greater than reported
there will be loss except that of the
temporary tying up of funds. The stock
holders comprise the best people in
Owego and the directors are T. c. Platt,
H. A. Clark, S. B. Davidge. A. p. Storrs.
A. w. Clinton, Ghorge Truman, jr., F. NJ.
Baker, E W. Stone and F. E. Platt.
SENATOR T. C. PLATT'S BANK.