The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-07
Promoter Leach Cannot He Found and
His Wife Is Left to Face
bad Situation.
LOSSES AND THOSE WHO LOSE
SOME OF THE LATE; TRANSACTIONS
HAVE A CRIMINAL CAST.
Capital National Involved in the
Smash-Andrews Bank Deposit
tors to Lose All.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
FORT WAYNE, Ind, Aug. 6.-The story
of the collapse of the Avilla bank recalls
the Paris Dwiggins chain of banks This
later syndicate organized banks at Avilla,
Cromwell Andrews, Bunker Hill and Den
ver Ind. They were private banks and not
subject to inspection by State. Nation or in
dividual. The chief organizer. so far it
appears, was III. w. Leach, young man
who claims Sioux City. Ia, as the home of
his earlier years. 1t is reported here that
he has brother who is banker in Da-
kota- Mrs. Leach, who remains to face the
situation, says he has also a brother in
Chicago, who is a commission broker. but
no help can be expected from that or any
other source Leach stayed around town for
a couple of days after the bank closed, and
then left for parts unknown rather than
face the swelling anger of his depositors
He was seen by friends in the law office
of Robert p. Barr, of Kendallville, on the
afternoon of Aug. 2, and was next seen to
enter the fast east bound Lake Shore ex-
press, on it's arrival twenty minutes later
Mrs. Leach when asked to-day for
statement said: Il knew nothing of my
husbands intention TO leave. L was at
home and waited supper for him. and did
not know he had gone away. l have not
heard from him. He told me nothing about
his business, and / am helpless without
anyone to turn to- We have been married
eight years. My father is Thomas Dorman,
OF Sioux City, where we used to live. 1
can't say any more.
Mrs. Leach is still under thirty years. She
has no children. She says she will remain
at Avila for the present.
The total bank liabilities will reach s17,-
oo0 or $4,000. so far as known. There were
about 240 depositors. including neighboring
farmers and local merchants. The Odd Fell
lows lost $500 and the treasurer of Cath
olic Old Peoples Home about the same
]. l.. Henry and S. X. Randall. merchants
had each $500 in deposit, and besides paid
jointly $3.50 surety TO Campbell * Fetter
kendallvlle bankers Randall had turned
Leach back to the bank to open IL and re-
eeive a deposit OF 1895 when Leach was on
his way 10 the train to confess insolvency
in Kendallville. He was going there TO meet
y. M. Packard. OF the Capital National
Bank. OF Indianapolis who held a certi-
OF the defunct Andrews branch tor $500.
given in May, 1900. 10 draw 4 per cent. for
9t.e year. ms was coilateraI Tor q loan 70
key. Leach begged for accommodation TO
protect Packard. but failed, and this claim
must stand with others.
l.. s. Hersh. town treasurer, had 81 100
OF public funds in the bank. Leach was on
his bond, with Michael q. krieger. a retired
farmer. who will have TO stand the loss.
Hersh being a plasterer and having only
a joint interest in his home. Charles Hill
kert, OF HuntertOWn. a cattle buyer loses
$3.50. Hilkert to-day replevined 500 from the
Adams Express Company which he for
varded last Wednesday. after bank was
insolvent. Leach had declined 10 cash his
check against his deposit several weeks
ago unless he gave him promissory note
which he could discount in kendallville
This Hilkert gave.
Leachs new house represents an In
vestment OF nearly $4,000, being thoroughly
modern. Time checks, amounting 10 81 500
are outstanding for work thereon but
are not yet due. Leach also operated a
small carriage works. which owes 900 10
Fort Wayne supply firms. His vehicle
stock includes forty buggies partially nm
ished The establishment is in the hands
or the bankruptcy referee.