The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-23
20. P. TUCKER

Jrolfer or the currency.
90. z. TUCKER,
National Bank Examiner"
This was the notice placed today on
the doors OF the stately building of
before the hour for opening. The
salient facts of the cause IF the notice
had been konwn since Sunday morn
ing and, therefore, there were mons of
the usual scenes accompanying a run
on the bank by depositors.
Washington, November 19.-Comp-
troller of the Currency Dawes has ap-
pCiL:cd Oliver P. Tucker, national bank
examiner, temporary receiver of the
German National bank Of Newport.
KY. Mr.. Tucker telegraphed the comp
troller that he had taken charge ow-
ing to the discovery of d~efalcation
amounting to about $195, 900 and there
upon the comptroller appointed him
temporary receiver. The officials here
consider it astonishing that a defalca-
ton amounting to more than reserve if
the bank could have remained undis-
covered for any length of time but
they attempt to offer no explanation,
as Mr.. Tucker has not yet furnished
any details. The last examination of
the bank was made in May last. The
statement of the condition of the bank,
September 5th, shows a capital stock
of $1OO, 900; surplus and undivided prof
it's 5O,630; deposits 1884 ,904; loans and
discounts $513 ,451; cash on hand in
other banks $3.50, 225.
Cincinnati, O.. November 19.-The ex-
perts who have been working today
with Receiver Tucker, on the books Of
the German National bank at New
port, KY, place the shortage of Frank
M. Brown, the missing assistant CASH
Ter and individual bookkeeper at $751;
500. According to report from those
who were with Brown when he left
last Tuesday night he had less
than $500 with him. Browns salary was
only $1,000 per year.. Cases are now
cited where he spent more than that
mount in m day. His bond was for
$4,000 and it is good as far as it goes.
United States District Attorney Hill
will arrive at Paducah, KY, tomorrow
when, it is said, criminal proceedings
will be begun. The federal detectives
have certain persons under surveillance
n there are reports tonight about ar
rests that will follow on the arrival Of
District Attorney Hill.
During the run Oh the German Ma
tional bank at Newport, KY, last Sat
urday $500, 900 was secured in Cincinna-
ii to bridge over the trouble. This was
returned today and Receiver Tucker
had other moneys and papers also
transferred to Cincinnati.
Browns system required a wonderful
memory. The experts say he carried
in his head the figures that enabled him
to call off correctly a lot of false entries
in a way to throw the clerks who were
doing the checking with him off the
track. A depositor would put in So, 100
BROWN yvp111d Qnfpr tho nrnnQr amount
of the deposit in n book and enter
it as 800 in another. He would take
the difference, $4,000, himself. Then
when it came to checking up he would
handle one of the books. Another clerk
would check and Brown Oul call off
Instead of calling off 500 which ap-
peared as the amount of the deposit or
the book which he was handling, he
would call it as $3,100, thus making il
correspond with the book in the hands
of the other clerk. He also, it is alleg.
ed, worked in another way. A depos-
itor would draw out 500. Brown would
make the proper entry in n book ant
enter 49, 0 in another. When the de.
poSitor had his account checked up the
figures were taken from the book In
which the correct entry had been made
When the bank officials looked to SCI
what amount was due to depositors
they were given their information from
the books which showed s., 100 had beer
withdrawn. Brown had memOriZed al
the individual accounts and the ex'
perts find no private marks of any
kind on the books. The general ledger
was kept correct and balanced with thu
cash, while the individual ledger, it i:
alleged, was fixed to suit Browns pur
poses, the former being the one tha
the bank officials examined. It is gen
orally believed that Browns first short
age started accidentally with an erro,
of 81, 900 in the individual accounts.