Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-10-26
STOLE A FORTUNE.
A Bank Teller Is Defaulter fos
100000.
His PecuIations Were Carried on for
Long Period and He Deceived
Bank Examiners and Expert
Accountants by FaIsify-
Ing the Books.

New York. Oct. 24.-Charles L. Al
word, ir., note teller of the First ma
tional bank of this city, is fugitive
and defaulter to the extent of $780,
600.
The announcement, when it was
made Tuesday, created the utmost
excitement in the financial district of
the city, but the well-known stability
of the bank and statement issued
by the bank had quieting effect.
This statement was as follows:
"The note teller who has been in
the employ of this bank for great
many years is defaulter for Il large
amount. His operations have been
skillfully concealed through manip-
nlation of his balance book. The dis
covery was made by one of the banks
employees a few days after the COM
pletion of the examination of the
books by the United States bank ex-
sminers. During the continuance of
his peculations periodical examina-
tions have been made by several dis
tinct corps of examiners representing
the comptroller's department, all eX-
pert accountants; and the bank has
also had frequent independent exam
nations; neither of which developed
any irregularity. The aggregate of
the false entries, .ing to $780,
900, has been charged off on the,
books of the bank out of the reserve.
fund, without diminishing the surplus
| and profits of the bank as reported
in it's last published statement. 1t is
expected that the shortage will be
materially reduced by q substantial
sum, of which there is fair prospect
of recovery"
| Alvord had been with the bank for
90 years and was one of the most
trusted men in the institution. His
stcalings extended over Il long period,
but no suspicion of the truth was
known until ten days ago, when he
sent word that he was i'll at his home
After he had been away for day or
two the bank put experts at work
and some irregularities were found.
As the experts delved deeper and
deeper into Alvord's books the extent
of the robbery began to dawn on the
officers until they were overwhelmed Il
TO find that it reached the enormous
figure of S7O0,0oO. Whether that sum
is all that he took is not yet known
| III nHs nOI Ntb utNSlODtu HOW tho
note teller was able to put his hands
on so much money, but one of the
directors said that Alvord was able to
take such n large sum because as
note teller he had charge of the mail
This ne opened every morning and he
had ample opportunity to extract
notes, checks and money. OF course
he had to be especially skillfull to
L. l. l,v ,,. \
rector admitted that he was at less
TO account for the failure of the bank
examiner to discover Alvord's pecu-
Iations at their last examination.
Forest Raynor is in charge of tho
national bank examiners Office here.
What AIvord did with all the cash
is also n mystery as yet, except that
as usual in such cases 1T is said that
a large amount of it went in stock
speculation. One story is that lie had
lnst $4,000 in one deal, but what
deal IL WAS is not stated. During
the summer AIvord visited Saratoga,
where he cut great figure, spending
money like a prince. He rented n
cottage, kept fine stable of horses
and besides playing the races is said
TO have frequented gambling houses.
In this city he was known as n
man of very regular habits. Among
his associates he was looked up to,
and on Wall street was known as
Happy AlNord" because of his
CHEEKY ways. His home was IN the
suburb of Mount Vernon. This home
is a magnificent place located on
Chester hill, one of the most aristo-
cratic sections of the suburb. 1t is
surrounded by luxurious grounds and
there are extensive stables.
Alyord has long been considered
one of the big men of the town. His
family entertained layishly and gave
large sums to charity. He was prom
inent in church circles and his wife is
considered one of the most beautiful
women in Mount Vernon.
Invitations had been sent out fer q
grand dinner at the Alvord home a
week ago tonight The day set for
the dinner messengers scurried
throughout Mount Vernon recalling
the invitations. That night the
house was in darkness. Friends ot
| the family were told that Mr.. Alvort
was i'll. The darkened windows sinct
then and the fact that no callers
, were admitted led the neighbors tc
believe that his illness was serious.
1t was not until yesterday that the
residents of Chester hill heard of hi.
= defaIcation. There was n rumor thai
he left the town on the day that tn,
!. dinner invitations were cancelled anG
that he took steamer for Soutl
America. This could not be corrobo
" rated.
Mrs. Alvord is said to have tol'
{ friends that, owing to his position il
the bank, Mr.. Alvord was able t,
e obtain tips which enabled him t,
: make $4,000 to $4,000 year over hi
e salary by operating in Wall street
She boasted that her husbands tip
: were so straight that he never lost
2 cent in tie street and always made
gain.
Limon,s Great Fire.
1 4 n.e ,t.iI lie .Af In