The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-11-16
WORK OF THE SHADOW.
MEN WHO ARE EMPLOYED TO WATCH
EMPLOYEES OF BANKS.

AN-s tiASAN al DOAAiE llCi r III Tic uclE IL
borhood of 500 persons shadow ed,
none of whom knows as he goes his
way that ho is being watched. Nor
does he know that the sword hangs
over his mead suspended by a thread
that may be cut at any moment by
is held in the palm of the hand of
private detective are all employed in
banks, national. state and savings
There are also other big corporations
which employ detectives TO follow
their employees after hours, so as TO
get line on the life that they lead
after hours" detective employed in
this particular line put it to-day. Many
bank presidents believe that by en-
ploying a detective to shadow every
tody employed in the institution the
chances for deCaulter are reduced to
a minimum. And yet tne case of Sam
uel c. Seeley. employed for eleven
years as bookkeeper in the Shoe and
Leather National Bank. might be cited
to demonstrate that this method of
vigilance is not infallible Through
Seeley the bank in eleven years lost
$354,000. He was model bookkeeper,
the real kind of a home man. That was
shown by the fact that he got for his
share in actual cash only 81 600 and
most of this he spent in doctors bills
for his family
Seeley, like every other employe in
C1,nf nj I -t,n
lowed; his home life was known; he
was reported as a model man Where
the vigilance of the banks manage
ment went astray was in not shadow
ing Seeley's accomplice, a lawyer who
had many real estate transactions. The
accomplice one day oyerdrew his ac-
count. Seeley knew that If ne notified
the cashier he would be discharged,
80 he called on the lawer and asked
him to refund the money lit was only
5000. The lawyer explained that ne
had big real estate deal on and he
could not put it through in time to
save Seeley unless he had more money
5000. That was the beginning of
Seeleys' downfall The model home
man consented. When the lawyer on
the following day presented a check
for 50, 200. the paying teller asked See
ley how the account stood Seeley said
that the check was all right and the
lawyer got the money
To cover up his tracks. Seeley de-
detucted from accounts that never
were touched SO that at night his ac-
counts balanced. He never took a vaca-
ton, not even day off in eleven
years. To all appearances he was a mo-
del man. No one knew that he mad an
accomplice who was drawing any
where from $500 to $500 day out of
the bank, They might shadow Seeley,
but that would not reveal the true
state of affairs. He was with his family
every night; he was sunday school
superintendent; he never bet on the
races.
And so even with The precautions
that are taken by all financial instftu-
lions and big corporations to prevent
defalcations it is Impossible to tell
where the next man will get million
or more dishonesty. In the system that
the banks have to-day there is
chance to learn where 10 look for a
possible defalcation. no matter how
Cleverly the mans tracks are covered
up, and there is also an opportunity to
find out all about employees. A man
who has been at this work in the de-
tective line for more than twelve years
talked about his work the other day.
Il am employed he said, by the
president of about the biggest bank
in this city, and that means the biggest
bank in the United States Every day
IN the year, neither Sundays nor holt
days excluded. | shadow comebody in
employ of the bank. No one knows
about my work except the president. |
am not on the bank payroll l receive
my salary in roundabout way. /
nave not seen the president in all the
years that | have been in his employ.
"On the ordinary work days begin
my labor at O'Clock, the time of clos
ing the bank. | have a list of all the
employees and ! know every one by
SAGAt+ oNHSOt CdttA uaA llAC man lnGA
l am going to shadow For five years
l used TO wait for my man. rain or
shine, on the street near the bank
building, but now so to an Office a.
cross the street. It's pleasanter, be-
cause there's no telling when my man
will quit work. Take the case Of the
cashier He may stay until o'clock
sometimes Wnen be leaves the Office
] must be on mis- trail l watch him
come out. and from then until ne is
sound asleep | keep on his trail. If he
goes directly home / trail him to the
door Then | wait outside until about
20 o'clock. and if he doesn't come alt
| at that hour leave If on the other
hand he goes out for night record
very carefully everything he does.
Il remember about four years ago
the president notified me that hadn't
made report to him on an assistant
teller in three months. AS a matter of
fact, had been so busy looking after
> man who led model life, but who.
| was certain, was specializing in the
rfpal N, rla fbot ho