Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-12-02
A MISSING BILL.
Who Has the First 81 Greenback
That Was Printed!

That Was Printed!
One missing s. bill is making a heap
of trouble for the receiver of the Ma
tional Bank Of Illinois. This is not an
ordinary, cheap, everyday s. bill, but
one Of great historical interest, and was
the property of the Chicago Press club
when the bank closed its doors.
This bill il the first So greenback
that was printed under the act that was
passed during the great civil war au-
thorizing the United States to issue
money to carry on the conflict that led
to the crushing Of the rebellion.
This bill was presented to the Chica-
60 Press club about ten years ago by
George Schneider. who was then the
treasurer Of the club and president Of
the bank. Being a piece Of currency of
great value because of its history, II
was placed in an envelope and left with
the bank for safe keeping.
1t was placed in a pigeonhole in the
vaults. When the bank closed its doors
and John G. McKeon took possession as
receiver, the bill could not be found,
nor has it been traced to this day. Every
effort has Ieen made to discover it, but
no clew has developed that would lead
to knowledge Of its possible where
abOuts.
1t was not placed in the bank as a
special deposit, but kept there as an ac-
commodation to the Press club, which
had no facility for protecting it from
theft.
"That bill came TO the bank, " said
George Schneider, Sin the regular
course Of business When | saw its i'm
portance and value as a souvenir, | pre-
sented it to the Press club. Ii was Of
series A, No. l, and the first 50 green
back printed by the government under
Abraham Lincoln's administration. Its
monetary value cannot be computed,
but its rarity and historical value can
not be questioned.
"When | gave it to the Press club, |
was asked to keep it in the bank vaults
for safety, as the club had no way Of
protecting it, aud it was of too great
value to be publicly exposed. Therefore
| had it placed in an envelope and
sealed and placed it in a pigeonhole in
the vault of the bauk. No, it was not
marked either as to its ownership or
its contents but kept SO as to be recog-
nizable whenever it should be demanded
by its owners | don't believe there was
any record Of it on our books Of special
deposits, nor was there a memorandum
regarding it in the papers of the bank.
81 have no idea what has become of
the valuable piece Of currency, but l
assure you efforts are making to discoy-
er its whereabouts. That bill belongs to
the Press club, and regard it as a most
valuable asset "
ave have made search for that bill, "
said John @. McKeon, vice president OF
the Commercial National bank and
former receiver Of the National Bank Of
Illinois, "but we could find no trace OF
il. high or low. | had every box and
paper opened when | took possession OF
the bank as its receiver, but no such 50
bill ever was discovered. | have not
given up hope yet that the bill will be
found. for its value to collectors Of these
things is too great for it long to remain
hidden.
General McNulta succeeded Mr Nc
Keon as receiver, and his assistant, &.
Allen Frost has also tried to get trace
of that 50 bill Il could find no record
of it" said he, "nor have seen such a
thing among the papers, and | have ex-
amined them all. 1t is mystery TO me
where it could have gone, 1t would dc
the holder no good, for if he offered il
for sale it would at once create publicity
and would naturally return TO the hands
of its owner l believe the bill will ye'
be found.
A coin and currency dealer told re-
porter that he would give s., 600 II
cash for such a rare bill, for the green
backs had all been called in, and No.
of the first series would have value t
collectors of these things that no one
could compute. A collector OF raritle'
of this sort would no doubt be glad t'
give $40, 900 for such a prize. But
them" the dealer continued, "titl'
must be perfect, as in piece Of real es
tate. 1t would be hard to dispose OF un
less the person selling could prove ab
solute ownership"
And the question still remains, Wh'
has the So bill, series A. No /, Of tn
issue of 1862? The Chicago Press oluI
would like to know. Chicago Tribune