The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-22
Died TOGETHER.
De9aulting Bank Officials Con-
TESS and Commit Suicide.
Each Blows the Top of His Own
Head Of.

Vancouver, Wash, April 22.-Charles
Brown and F. l. Candy. president and
cashier, respectively. Of the First Ma
tional bank, of Vancouver. which was
closed Saturday by the comptroller of
the currency, committed suicide two
miles from this city by shooting them
selves with revolver. The bodies were
found lying together in a small clump
of bushes about one-haIf mile north Of
the Columbia school. which is situated
on the outskirts of the town. They both
used the same weapon and Candy evil
IDENTIFY died first, as the revolver was
found in Browns hand. 1t is evident
that Candy put the muzzle Of the re-
volver in his mouth and then blew the
top of his head off. Brown then took it
and shot himself in exactly the same
way. falling over Canby's body.
The fact that Browns bicycle and an
umbrella belonging to Candy were
found a short distance out of town led
to the belief that the two bank officials
had taken their lives. Early this morn
ing a searching party started out and
after several hours hunt the bodies were
found in the clump of bushes
Friday evening, Candy, upon being
told by Bank Examiner J. w. Maxwell
that the bank would not be permitted
to open Saturday, went out in the yard
behind the bank and attempted to shoot
himself His revolver failed to explode,
although all five chambers were load
ed. After falling to shoot himself Can
by came back into the bank and he and
President Brown left together later,
taking his revolver. When Examiner
Maxwell confronted the bank officials
with the shortage of $S1, 600 which he
had discovered, both men admitted their
guilt 1t is said that both Brown and
Candy had been specializing in stocks
Beside Browns body there was found
a package containing SIS and a note
saying that the money belonged to his
daughter. Upon Canby's body the fol-
lowing brief note was found:
My Dear Wife: I feel what I am
about to do is for the best. Forgive me
If you can and try to live for our dear
children God bless you all. Good-by.
april 49,
Brown who was 81 years old, has
lived in Vancouver since 1852 His con-
nectiOn with the bank as its president
dated back ten years.
Candy was 50 years old and was well
connected. He has a brother, who is a
paymaster in the United States army
Another brother committed suicide by.
jumping off the wharf at Vancouver
several years ago.
While Bank Examiner Maxwell (now
in charge as receiver has made no off,
cial statement.it is known that the bank
has loaned a large sum of money on in
sufficient security. According to his re-
port to the comptroller Of the currency,
there is a shortage of $4,000 in the
banks accounts, and it is understood
that a considerable portion Of this
amount was loaned to Brown and Can
by on their personal notes.
From the condition of the bodies and
other circumstances it is almost certain
that suicides occurred between and
o'clock Friday evening. Two pistol shots
coming from the direction of where the
bodies were found were heard at that
hour by L. 3. Rand, who lives quarter
of a mile distant.
Following the arrival of the United
States district attorney. Wilson R. Gay,
last night, warrant was issued by
Judge Miller, OF the superior court,
charging Brown and Candy with the
embezzlement of $4,000 of the funds of
the bank on January Is. 1901. The COM
plant contains four charges of embeZ-
element and misappIication of the funds
of the bank falsifying the books of the
bank and issuing false reports of the
banks condition to the controller of the
currency. The temporary receiver Of the
bank, still refuses to give out any state
ment of the affairs Of the bank Both
Brown and Candy when confronted Fri
day by Maxwell with false entries in the
books made full confession. Candy re-
marking:
wen. you have caught me this time.
MexWeH. that is false entry Then,
picking up a pistol from the counter he
remarked, as he held the muzzle toward
his head. This is the only sure way out
or the ulfncuiIy- Maxwell demonstrated
with him against his apparent suicidal
intent. Candy lowered the weapon and
left the room by the rear door. It is be-
lieved while outside he attempted to kill
himself. as on returning he threw down
the pistol remarking-
THE gun is no good and will not go
off,
In answer to an inquiry from Maxwell
if he was implicated in the criminal en-
try. Brown replied:
Yes. I am equally guilty.
District Attorney Gay stated today
that there is evidence that the criminal
acts Of the two officials cover period
of several years, and only by a
thorough investigation of the books can
their full extent be known.