Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-17
CLEVER BANK SWINDLE
Alexandria National Victim
Of Fraud.
POLICE AFTER THE MAN
CIRCULAR OF DESCRIPTION DIS
TRIBUTED BROADCAST.
Officials Try to Keep the Matter a
Secret-$2,75o the Amount
Involved.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Behind the brief statements Of a police
circular issued here and sent to the leading
cities of the country, offering 500 reward
for the apprehension of man whose name
Is given as A. H. Bardeen on the charge
of felony, Is the story OF clever bank
swindle In which the Alexandria National
Bank of this city is alleged to have suf-
fered to the extent of 81 7J0.17. Every ef-
fort has been made by the bank officials
to keep the transaction from the public, In
which purpose they were seconded by the
local police department. Proceedings in
the case were clothed with so much secrecy
that nothing definite could be learned until
the appearance of a circular issued. from
police headquarters with the signature of
Lieut.. James Smith of the police force,
containing the offer Of the reward and CIV
ing the name and description of the man
wanted. In this circular letter the state
ment is made that a warrant for the arrest
of Bardeen is held by the local police de-
partment. AT the station house this morn
ing a Star correspondent was informed that
the charge of felony in connection with a
transaction at the Alexandria National
Bank had been formally made, but that
the warrant had not been filled out. The
connection between the charge OF felony
contained in the circular and the passing
andria National Bank was definitely stated,
the amount being mentioned.
1t about three weeks ago that Lieut..
Smith of the police department was frst
notified by Mr.. T. c. Smith, cashier of the
Alexandria National Bank, that the bank
had grave suspicious of fraud in connection
with a draft for the amount mentioned.
The lieutenant was asked to exercise eau
tfon and discretion assisting the bank
officials in ferreting out the matter,
with a view of keeping the affair as
quiet as possible. A search for the alleged
defrauder was at once instituted, but 1t
was soon apparent that the suspected man
had reached parts unknown to the local
authorities and the bank officials. Though
he had been a man-about-town for the pre-
ceding two months, he suddenly disappeared
utterly, as far as any connection with him
here was concerned.
Owing TO the intense desire Of the direct
ors and officers of the bank to keep the
affair from becoming a matter of public
comment, and to the cooperation of the po-
lice department in that respect, the details
of the alleged fraud have been carefully
guarded. When a Star correspondent called
at the bank for information he was met by
fiat refusal by Cashier Smith to divulge
any of the facts in the case. Mr.. Smith,
while not admitting the truth of the report,
did not deny that the bank had been swim
died, but he intimated that shady trans
action was being inquired into by the bank
officials. and that the assistance of the po-
lice had been asked. At that time, Mr..
Smlln SdlO, matter naQ not reaCneQ a
stage of development necesstating the
filing of formal charges The officials had
their doubts about a certain draft that had
been cashed but beyond that nothing def
mite could be stated. The cashier could not
be seen at the bank this morning, as ne
was out of the city on business.
Police Close Mouthed.
Information obtainable today at the police
station was meager, but it is learned from
aliohl Ia I.,t laft
with the full amount he had obtained at
the teller's window in his possession. 1t is
stated that the total was made up
largely of bills of a comparatively small de-
nomination, tens and twenties predomina-
ting. 1t is said that in his dealings with
the bank he had been accustomed to having
his drafts cashed in bills of that value so
that his request for the large amount in
small sums the day in question did not
excite suspicion. The statement is made
that the man presented the draft about the
noon hour when the cashier was out, and
that the paying teller. Mr.. Lawrence Perry
hesitating to pay out SO large a sum under
the circumstances, referred the matter to
a director of the bank, who happened to be
present, and who, 1t is said, expressed the
opinion that the draft was all right. The
money was then issued and the man left
the bank. Since then he has not been seen
in this city have the police authorities
here been able to locate him anywhere else
When the draft which had been honored
was examined critically later In the day by
the bank officials, it was determined to
communicate at once with the firm in Bos-
ton by which Rardeen was supposed to be
employed
The result of the communication, it is
said, was highly unsatisfactory to the local
financiers, for it is understood that the
statement was made that Bardeen was no
longer agent of the company, and that
the company refused to be responsible for
In Of fhn I-af ty,-a
measures were taken to discover if possible
the whereabouts of Bardeen.
Police Department Appealed To.
Police departments in several cities were
appealed to for aid in locating the man,
but without success, and the bank officials
sent an attorney to Boston. where the man
was supposed to live, and where the firm
in whose employ he was is established.
Bardeen is described in the circular is
sued by the police department as being
from twenty-eight to thirty years of age
os medium build and weight, light COM
plexion and smooth face, He is also said
to be slightly cross-eyed, and is represented
as neat dresser and man fond of the
society of women.
1t is said in the circular that he claims
to live in Boston and that his mother lives
in Providence, R. l. The circular requests
that police departments make a search Cor
Bardeen, and asks for notifications that
would assist in his apprehension.
These printed forms have conveyed the
information of the charge lodged against
Bardeen to most of the cities in this part
of the country, and several replies from
police chiefs have been received by Lieut.
Smith, but up to this morning nothing def
mite had been heard as to the suspected
mans whereabouts.
Bardeen came to Alexandria about three
months ago and commenced to do business
as a lumber agent
He boarded at the new Hotel Rammel
on North Royal street and engaged in sew
eral lumber transactions in Alexandria,
particularly with river men. It is said
that all OF his banking business was done
through the Alexandria National Bank and
that several drafts which he had on differ
ent occasions presented there We're found
to be all right.
Judge Charles E. Nicol of Manassas is
president of the Alexandria National Bank.
which was recently established in a fine
building at the corner of Royal and King
streets.