The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-02-21

The city of Fayetteville was shocked
yesterday morning to learn that the
doors of the Bank OF Fayetteville had
been closed and that there was a short
age OF $4,000 in dhe accounts of thee
cashier and teller. The first that the
pubic knew of the affair was early yes
terday morning when q. notice was seen
tackled on the door of the bank over
the signatures of state Bank Examiner
Ellington, President II. W. Lilly, and
a. A. McKeithan, secretary, stating
that there was a shortage of $28, O10 in
the accounts and hat the bank would
be temporarily closed.
The news of the banks being closed
great eXcitenlenr and a gloom
was thrown over the city when it 5e-
came known that John c. Haigh, the
cashier. and George G.. Myrover, the
teller. had been ARRESTED. Both Off
GERS OF the bank were placed under ar
rest yesterday morning by Sheriff
Marsh, and carried before Magistrate
OVERLY, who required a bond of $1,000
OF each Tor their appearance at the
next term Of court. Haigh gave bond
by eleven O'Clock, but it was late III the
afternoon before Myrover Was able %
give bond.
The discrepancy N the books dates
back for more than two years. The first
the directors knew of the shortage was
during latter part of December, 1904,
when Mr.. WlMTams, assistant to state
Bank Examiner Ellington, who had
been eXt31nEminr Tho IVA pk'c h0okc 20
ported to the state bank thai
he mad found false entrireS, and N
january 9Th Mr.. Ellington went over
the books and found that MIR. Williams
was right. The directors Were tola of
the matter and AN expert accountant
was then put ito work on the books and
a few days ago he finished his work
and reported a shortage of $40, 900.
When this became known a meeting or
the board of directors was held Oh
Friday night at the home of the presi-
dent. Mr.. H. w. Lilly. with Messrs.
j. r. Williams. w. J. McDarmid, a.
A. McKethan and w. S. Cook, who
IMPOSE the board of directors. pres
emit President Lilly reported that an
Investigation of the books by Mr.. NJ. =.
Hughes. an cxper- accountant, shovel
a shortage in the account of the cashier
and teller of $2S.GA0. Ihereupon the di-
rectors adopted a resolution requesting
the corporation commission to appoint
=. receiver.
4 Representative CT The Messenger on
yesterday interviewed ONE OF the dirac-
tons. He stated that Myrover told the
board of directors that he took S1.501
about two years ago and he said that
MYroVer told the directors THAT he went
to Haish and told him that he had
taken $1,000. and he stated that Haigh
told him that they would go over tho
books and fix the matter and that there
was no use of reporting it to the board
of directors. The director stated that
Myrover confessed to talking $1,000
during July, 1908.
No confessions, other than the above.
ave come to light. There is a short
age of about Sc, 900 which cam be race
ito a Philadelphia bank.
It was not considered necessary by
those knowing the financial condition
of the bank, for the doors to AVE been
closed. The sank a a surplus OF
about s29. 900 and so far a shortage Of
only $28, 900 has been found and it is
believed that this will owe the
amounru as he books have been thor
oughly examined, both by the state
bank examiner and also by an expert
ed financial aid from the Wilmington
banks but they Thought it best 10
have a receiver appointed and allow
the matter to be settled in such a
1er as for there to be no possible
chance for one depositor ITO have the
advantage oven another. The directors
say they wifi be able to pay dollar fer
dollar and that there is no reason for
the slightest anxiety on the part OF the
deposjuors.
On Friday might MI. J. Victor Grain
ger. cashier of the iMurchison National
Bank and Mr.. Joseph w. Yates, cashier
of the Atlantic National Bank, went to
; Fayetteville to see if they could b. of
! eryice and, if desired, offer financial
! assistance.
Nothing has happened in Fayetteville
in years which has so generally shock
ed TIE entire community. Both Halgh
aaIu Myrover are of prominent Fayette-
Vile families and there We're no men
Tn the community who We're more h1gn-
f, ly regarded. They are both men CT
families and have never lived IN an ex-
travagant manner They We're born and
reared in Fayetteville and this makes
the community feel a peculiar inter
est in them and causes a FEELING OF
sadness TO prevail.
BANK EXAMINERS STATEMENT.
Whereas the official examination OF
the bank by the State Bank Examiner
verified by the Board Of Directors
through an investigation by an ex-
pert accountant, employed by the
bank, discloses q shortage in the &C.
counts Of the cashier and teller Oh
about $4,000 which, when charged
off. will ~seriousIy affect public coUs