Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-30
BANKER LEAVES ADVICE.
Writes Unique Letter to Friends,
Arranges His Business and
Then Disappears.
Peculiar Action of H. H. Ter
williger, ofMontague. Mich.
Causes Sensation.
His Flieht From Business Ap.
His Flight From Business Ap.
parently Without Reasons Of
the Usual Sort.

the Usual Sort.
Muskegon. Mich. Nov. 30.-Henry II.
| Terwiliger sole owner of the only bank
in Montague, Mich, has disappeared
| from the city, where for twenty years
he was a leading business man, and he
/ left behind no explanation of his action
except the following extraordinary let
/ ter. which he asked published:
Henry H. Terwilliger, of humble
birth and lowly spirit, unhappily finds
himself bearing responsibilities which
wear him and rob him of time which
he feels he ought to have the liberty
to spend in more congenial employ
ment.
Nobody will be able to understand
his difficulties or appreciate the con-
ditions which drive him to adopt a
course OF action which may be con-
sidered cowardly, il not dishonorable.
Neither can anyone know what pain 1T
gives him or how keenly he realizes
what sacrifice he is making, or how
deeply he regrets the trouble he Is
making his friends and patrons.
But he has shaped matters SO as
fully to protect every interest and is
absolutely confident that nothing worse
than temporary Inconvenience will re-
suit to any customer Of the bank, as he
leaves $4,000 in excess of all liabilities.
He does not carry away a dollar of
anybody's money. Therefore, let no
ar, 1a<o u
wrecker or a thief. He has the utmost
which impends over every private
banker doing business alone, however
honest or smart he may be.
NO man ought to have the care Of
the money of community. Such q
care will stager any man sooner or
later, kill him or wreck him, work him
to death, or enslave him If he succeeds,
and blast his life IL he fails. Banks
ought to be incorporated.
THE business men of Montague. thru
ignorance, cowardice, folly and jeal-
ousy, turned down a project to incor-
porate the Montague bank. Let them
now awake to the Importance OF action
In this direction.
"Terwilliger hopes that by assign
ing and placing himself out OF touch
that arrangements can and will be
made to continue the business with
little interruption. AS there is no rea-
son for any anxiety whatsoever about
the funds. let all depositors view the
matter senstbly and philosopjhically
and allow the worried banker to go in
peace and take vacation, the first In
twenty years. II
The gossips will go into mysteries, of
course, and there will be plenty Of abuse
and ridicule. for the milk OF human
kindnes is not equal to all, but there are
those whom memory and conscience will
compel to speak charitably of the abb
sent banker, and there are others who
Will defend him Loyalty out of pure
friendship and sympathy. He goes
bearing malice toward none, sincerely
regretting his weaknesses and errors
and repentiEg his offenses, and remem-
bering gratefully the kindness extended
to him and his family during twenty
years of life In Montague.
I'll H. TERWILLIGER.
Detroit, Nov. %, 1901
The Montague Bank, of which Mr..
,Terwilliger is the sole owner, is appar-
coed the liabilities by $4,000. In view
of this his friends are unable to explain
the enigma of his fight from home
Mr.. Terwilliger left Montague on
Thursday. Nov 81, for Detroit. ostensi-
bly, to transact banking business. His
failure 10 return did not attract atten-
ton at first, owing to his reputation for
integrity and promptness in business.
William r. Nufer. prominent busi-
ness man OF Whitehall, Thursday re-
ceived from Terwilliger letter con-
tanning the above statement. The letter
had been in the village postoffice since
Monday awaiting Nufer's return from
trip east. Accompanying the letter was
an assignment and two trust deeds
making Mr.. Nufer and Christ L. Streng
of Montague trustees to conduct the
business.
BY the deeds Terwilliger stripped him
self of all visible property, but provided
for an allowance OF $50 a month for his
wife and daughter. With the letter was
also one to Terwilliger's son Francis,
who is employed, in the bank. stating
that the family might never see the
husband and father again.
Attorney C.. w. Sessions of this city
and the two trustees made an investi-
CATION OF the banks affairs and found
everything in satisfactory condition,
The investigation showed that Mr.
Terwilliger took with him $4,000, but he
left the bank In prosperous condition.
The amount on deposit is s64,sOo, this
representing the total amount of liabili-s
ties. The total assets Will range from
$40, 900 to $4,000. There is considerable
excitement at Montague owing to the
belief that the bank is in difficulties.
There is some gossip in regard to,Ter
williger's friendship for young woman
in Oceana county, but this is secuted by
his friends.
The two trustees did not care to I'M
dertake the responsibilities OF conduct
ing the bank, and Judge Russell APP
pointed Charles r. Covell of Whitehall
receiver. The bank will be closed for
good.
ANXIOUS TO TRY 1T AGAIN.
=. Ma Nas.AL