The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-20
BUCK In DISGRACE
Son of an Ex-C Chief Justice Defrauds
the Mapleton Private Bank
Of $4,000.
His Father Will See Depositors Do
Not Lose-Queer Story of Sys-
tematic Blackmail.

Mankato, Mimi, Oct. 2O.-The Mapleton
State bank was closed yesterday, pending
an investigation of the books to reveal the
extent Of the defalcation of the assistant
cashier, Alfred A. Buck, who has disap-
peSred.
Mr.. Buck went to Walker week ago
on business and left there ostensibly for
Duluth on Tuesday. and since then moth
Ing has been heard from him. He is the
only son. of Judge Daniel Buck Of this
city, former justice Of the supreme court.
who is president and owner Of half the
stock Of the bank. Mr.. Buck was &C
companied as far as the twin cities by
his wife. formerly q Miss Brown of Min
neapolis, and to her he confided the state
ment that he was short in his accounts
and that he was about to leave for parts
unknown.
He said that he had loft a letter in his
desk that would explain all. Mrs. Buck
kept her husbands secret until Friday
night, when she confided it to her sister,
in-laW who on Saturday informed her
father, Judge Buck. Judge Buck at once
went to Mapleton and consulted the Of
fcers and directors Of the bank, Who
were unprepared to receive the news
which he gave them.
The letter from the missing official was
found and it said that the shortage of the
writer was $1S,700 with the bank and be-
tween $1,000 and $4,000 with his father,
VIII llciu pldCeC peISOIdl III his poS-
session to loan. Tie capital stock Of the
bank is but $4,000, and the deposits $751;
900.
Mr.. Buck was able to carry on his pecu-
lations for four years without detection
by classifying the deposit ledger.
Depostors VIII Not Lose. -
The bank directors took steps at once to
protect the interests of the depositors and
the stockholders were assessed an amount
ao1I11 tn tba of thai,, stock The
surplus is nearly $4,000, and this and the
assessments will nearly make good the
loss. Reports from Mapeton are that the
shortage has been found to be $4,000. but
that the bank will reopen in two or three
days. 1t has SOS, 900 of good notes, and
with the assistance of Mankato banks 1t
Is expected to weather the storm.
Judge Buck suffers Il heavy loss, the
best part of his property having been
swept away. He places his loss at $21
500, but he will stand by the bank to the
last. He will be forced to resumS the
active practice of law. "
Says He Was BIackmaIled.
The strangest feature of the occurrence
is the excuse given by young Buck for
taking the money. He disclaims specula-
ton or fast living. He, is 81 years OF
age. He informed his wife that twelve
years ago he was made the victim OF
blacknnail by a Chicago family, that he
IoOllSfly palQ the money ueHa1deu, Inc
not legally or morally bound to do So
and that this family has ever, since from
time to time held him. up. He has paid
every demand, fearing the result Of ex-
posure ON the health Of his parents if he
refused, and the total amount paid was
$40, 900. He finally obtained receipt in
fuI1.I q S'ta '7--1
Mr.. Bucks family knew something OF
this before. but they had no idea it was sc
serious: They say that there is no woman
In the case, but they absolutely refuse te
give out the mature of the case. They say
they understand the young mans case
and that they are loyal to him.
Mr.: Buck was mayor Of Ma pleton unit
two weeks ago. when he resigned because
of public criticism Of the lack Of restrain
over a. street carnival.
Not Subject to Inspection.
State Bank Examiner 8. T. johnson
says he knows nothing about the affair."
of the bank fcs the reason that it wa
q private institution and not subject t.
the regulations Of his department.