The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-04
NO CLUE To LECHNER
CASHIER OF TIMMoNsvILLE BANK:
STILL MISSING.
APPARENTLY NO SHORTAGE,
SuPT. REILLY ASKED TO UNRAvEL
THE MYSTERY.

Wealthy Banker and Real Estate
Owner Was Last Seen in Savan-
nah--Snvannah Detectives Can
Find No Trace of Him, However.
Bank of TimmonsvilIe Would Like
TO Know Lcchner's Whereabouts.
Attorney for Bank Sends State
ment of Cashiers Disappearance
and VIII Forward Pictures to
supt. Reilly-Robbery and Foul
Savannah Ohicers-Temporary De-
mentia the Best Explanation.
Cashier Frank c. Lechner, of the
Bank of Timmonsville, and the owner
of valuable vineyards, and real estate
at Griffin, whose disappearance was
announced in the Morning News, Sun
day, is still missing. and the police
throughout the country have been ask
ed to find him. The disappearance is
shrouded in mystery, and the officers
have been unable as yet to obtain a
single clue upon which to work.
Superintendent Reilly has had his
detectives make careful search of the
city for Lechner, but no trace of him
can be found. He was last heard of
here, Aug. 10, and has disappeared as
completely as If the earth had opened,
and swallowed him. Superintendent
Reilly received a letter yesterday from
j. w. Ragsdale, attorney for the Bank
of Timmonsville, in which a complete
account of Lechners disappearance is
given. The attorney is arranging to for
ward pictures of the missing man to
Superintendent Reilly, and no expense
will be spared in making a through
search for him.
The newspaper story sent by Mr..
hagsdale follows: Some two weeks
ago Mr.. Frank c. Lechner for a num-
Der of years cashier of the Bank of
Timmonsville, secured leave of absence
Tor several days to visit Griffin, Ga,
where he has agricultural interests.
and where his wife and daughter are
spending the summer. Mr.. Lechner
was to have been absent for not long
| er than four or five days, but his alb
sence has been prolonged and no one
knows where he is. His family in Crit
nm have heard nothing from him nor
nave the bank directors. A card writ
ten from savannah was received sew
eral days after his departure, saving
| that he had been left and would return
| day later, but he has not turned up.
Ihere is much mystery connected
with the incident One suggestion is to
the effect that Mr.. Lechner NAV have
taken sick, and stopped somewhere TO
recover. This is not credited for the
reason that in such an instance he
would have notified his home. Some
ehlnA that ne may have lost his mind
off
ways Deen regarded as a very eccentric
man, he has never shown any signs of
insanity. No one believes that the cash
Ter left because of any crookedness in
| the bank. -
The directors have not had an on
portunity to carefully examine the
DOCKS, but have found the cash all
rignt. something like $3.50 in connec-
.lon with collections is short. In one
Instance draft on business man
mere was paid by that gentleman. hnt
the amount not forwarded to the hank
making the draft. An expert viii ex-
anime the books in a few DAYS and
lnen the condition will be known. Mr.
Lechner has stood high with the busi-
ness men OF the town and no little sor
row is felt over his disappearance.
MT. Raymond c. Rollins, bookkeeper
OF the John McSween Company. has
-, SNeou SdoHleF. Inc cash in the
oank at present balances, but the ex
perts have not had time to examine
| the books. nc
.Supt. Kelly has taken charge of the
case personally. and will act as soon
as the photographs arrive He has
nad all of the hospitals visited. and
the missing man has not been located
at any OF the hotels or boarding houses
me superintendent is of the opinion
tnat the banker must have become
temporarily deranged, and wandered
away, or else left of his own accord
The theory of possible robbery and
foul play is not credited by the Sa-
vannah officers. Supt. Reilly saws
that IL the banker had been foullv
dealt with the discovery would cor.
tainlys have been made before this time
Even II he had been robbed on a
train after leaving this city, and his
Douy had peen thrown somewhere on
| the tracks. 1t would have been found
before this. The theory that Iech-
ner might have been kidnapped and
is being held for a ransom. the poIice
| say, is too remote to occupv their
attention. There are no crooks in this
section or the country who would
nave nerve enough to play such a
game, and unknown crooks are sure
10 attract attention, and finally be run
10 cover. 1t had been suggested that
Lechner might have been drugged and
taken to some secure place, and thar
MS abductors might be making an err
fort to have him sign a check for some
large sum of money in return for his
release. None of these theories is
being considered by Supt. Reilly. who
thinks that Lechner has either left Of
ms own accord, or is suffering from
dementia. It IS not believed thar
Lechner wandered on the wharves. and
was drowned, for the reason that few
bodies are swept from the river out