The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-08
GEORGE KRIETE INDICTED.
FORMER DISCOUNT CLERK CHARG-
ED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT.

He Is Said to Have Joined
the United states Navy On
the Flagship Brooklyn When Ger
vcrn's Fleet Was Destroyed - Said
to Have Made Away with More
Than $4,000 - Indictment for For
gerry Found Against a Former sa-
vnnnah business Man - officials
Reticent About II.
The grand jury OF the Superior Court
has recently found several indictments
which have not been given out for publ
cation on account of the fact that the par
ties indicted have not been arrested.
There seems no longer to be any secret,
however, of the fact that an indictment
for ENLIGHTENMENT was found against
George A. Kriete, at meeting Of the
grand jury held last week The fact has
been generally reported around the city,
and seems to have been freely discussed.
The Indictment itself is probably an the
hands of the solicitor general, but a record
of its finding is upon the minutes of the
Superior Court, which confirms the gem
eral report.
Kriete was the discount clerk at the
Chatham Bank for number of years. He
was well known in Savannah, apparent
ly most attentive to business, and was
considered by many model young man.
About eight months ago he disappeared
most mysteriously, and inquiry failed 10
discover his whereabouts. 1t was not then
believed that there was any criminal rea-
son for his sudden departure, and the be-
lief being expressed that he would soon
return, little or nothing was said about
it at the time.
Now the months have rolled by, and
little has been heard of Kriete, until late
ly, when an interesting story began to
be circulated with reference to his actions
since he left Savannah. AS the story
goes, he went into the United States navy,
became a landsman or seaman on the
cruiser Brooklyn, Admiral Schley's for
mer flagship, and took part with the
others in the battle of Santiago, in which
Admiral Cervera's fleet was destroyed.
This story is quite generally talked of
among Krietes friends here, who have
made many inquiries about him since he
left the city. When or where or why
he enlisted in the navy are questions that
have not been answered, but there is u
general belief in the truth of the report.
After the Santiago fight the Brooklyn
returned North and went to New YORK.
Kriete is supposed to have gone there with
the other men on the Brooklyn, and the
chances are that he is still in the navy.
Though the minutes of the court show
that an indictment was found, the indict-
ment itself could not be seen. The min
utes show. however. that it was a special
presentment and that the charge is en-
bezzlement. Officers of the court and the
officials of the Chatham Bank We're not
inclined at present to discuss the matter.
It Is unknown just what amount Kriete
is charged with having taken, or just how
in his position as discount clerk he man
aged to get away with the money he is
charged with taking.
1t is said the amount of the embezzle-
ment is something like $1,000 or $780, 1t
is also reported that there was a surety
company on his bond, and that it is push
ing the case against him. Efforts are no
doubt being made to apprehend him, but
just in what direction could not be ascer-
tanned.
The grand jury of the Superior Court
was called together in special session yes
terday for the purpose, 1t is understood,
of taking action on another criminal case.
Hon. Pope Barrow acted as solicitor gen.
eral in the absence of Solicitor General w.
w. Osborne, and at the conclusion of the
session it was announced that no report
of the business done would be made in
open court.
Court officials, when asked about the
matter, did not deny that Indictment had
been found but they refused to say any
thing about it or let it be seen. 1t was
stated that this business would not be Civ
en- to the public at present.
Mr. z. b. Springer was at the court
house during the session of the grand
jury, and was presumably a witness be-
fore that body. 1t is said the Indictment
found charges a former Savannah bust
ness man with forgery, and that a bench
warrant was issued for his arrest. Fur
Their than this nothing could be learned
about the case, owing to the reticence of
the officials. The whereabouts of the
party in question is unknown.
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