The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-10

freshman, for many years cash
Ter Of the Farmers and Mer-
chants Bank of this city, has
disappeared and with him went a
sum Of the banks funds, believed to ap-
proximate at least 500. 900. The shortage
was first discovered this morning, shortly
after the usual hour for beginning the
days business. Fleishman did not ap-
pear at his desk, and this. coupled with
the fact that he had pleaded illness on
Saturday and remained away from bust
ness, aroused the suspicion Of H. w. He'll
man, vice president Of the institution. An
investigation was Immediately begun, with
the result that a shortage in the bank
currency account was soon discovered.
H ". HeIlman notified his brother I.
W. Hellman Of San Francisco, president
Of the Farmers and Merchants Bank,
who sent out a description of the miss
ing cashier with request to the police
officials Of the country to apprehend him.
Fleishman was last seen in Los Angeles
about o'clock Saturday morning. At
that hour he sent word from the Call
1ornia Club, where he had bachelor apart
ments, to the bank, saying that because
Of illness he would not be down. Moth
ing was thought of the incident at the
bank and business went on as usual on
Saturday. When he failed to appear at
the usual time to-day, however, the in
vestigation of the banks cash account
quickly uncovered the shortage.
Employers Are Dumfounded.
The officials Of the Farmers and Mer-
the action Of their cashier ais was the
general public. For twenty-five years
Freshman had been employed in the in
stitution, beginning at the bottom as a
boy and by strict attention to duty, cou-
pied with e thorough understanding of
the intricacies Of the banking business,
rising to the position of assistant cashier
and finally to that Of cashier, position
he has held for many years. The utmost
confidence was always placed in his judg-
nent and integrity. He was not known
TO be addicted to drink or speculation,
though he was an ardent patron of all
kinds Of sports. His real estate holdings
in Los Angeles are estimated at $50 900.
This property, besides a bond Of 900
in a surety company, will, in the judg-
rnent Of the bank officials, compensate the
institution for the cash taken
H. w. Hellman, vice president Of the
Farmers and Merchants Bank, said, in
speaking Of Fleishman's absence:
I'VE were greatly surprised in discov-
ering Fleishman's flight and the shortage
in his cash account We are utterly I'M
able to account for his action He is a
man Of property and has always com
manded a good salary. If he were en-
gagged in speculation Of any kind we did
not know IT; nor was he drinking man
at least to any extent. No doubt he took
a drink when he wanted it, but drink
never could have caused him to do this.
We can account for his disappearance
only on the supposition that there is a
woman in the case. We are not worrying
over the money he has taken, however.
The bank holds a bond and other col
lateral SUFFICIENT TO indemnify it for the
cash stolen. It will not lose dollar The
loss Of the cash will not embarrass us in
the least"
Hit by the Slump in Copper.
There is a rumor, apparently well
founded. that Fleishman has been specu-