The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-10-19
POLITICIANS GOT
BANKS MONEY
Enterprise National of Allegheny,
Pa, in Hands of Receiver.
CASHIER KILLED HIMSELF
KEYSTONE STATE LOSER TO A
LARGE AMOUNT.

E ITTsBURG, oct. 1S.-After an in
vestigation of the books of the
Enterprise National bank, on Bea-
Yer avenue, Allegheny, which disclosed
that the bank was insolVent, T. Lee
Clarke. cashier of the institution for
avenue, Bellevue, last midnight, spent
a sleepless, nervous night, then shot
himself through the head this morn
ing. He fingered until 212 o'clock this
afternoon, when death came.
An hour before the announcement of
his death was received at the bank
telegram came from the comptroller
of the currency at Washington closing
the doors and appointing Bank Exam
iner John j. Cunningham the receiver.
Wrecked by Politicians.
Following closely on the exciting
events in lower Allegheny came the
announcement from the president of
the bank, Fred GWynner, that Clarke
had loaned thousands of dollars to
Pennsylvania politicians; that he him.
self had endorsed note for $4,000 yes
terday for Clarke. concluding with the
statement that if the shortage was
only 100000 he would gladly pay it
himself"
The bank has state deposits which
will amount to about 100000, of which
$S98.000 is in the checking or active ac-
count and the rest is state sinking
funds.
Mr.. Gwynner, in his statement. said:
Nearly $500 900 of the $500, 600 of state
deposits of our bank is out on paper
Of state politicians. w. II. Andrews
has borrowed nearly 500, 500; Frank J.
Torrance has borrowed. considerable:
l do not know how much. But the
bank is solvent.
His Last Trip Home.
Bank Examiner John B. Cunningham
spent most of yesterday and last night
working on the books of the bank
with the cashier. Shortly before mid
night Mr.. Clarke complained of not
feeling well and started for home. But
earlier in the afternoon the bank eX
aminer was of the opinion that the
bank was insolVent and SO notified the
comptroller at Washington. At the
bank this morning notices were sent
to the directors for a special meeting
at o'clock this afternoon. One hour
before that time the bank was closed.
The meeting of the directors lasted for
about an hour after which President
Frederick GWynner made the sensa-
tiOnal statement quoted.
Clearing House Protected.
According to the examiners report,
the resources and Liabilities of the En-
terprise ban in the last report. made
Au. -, were S2973, 170 cash, The En-
terprise bank cleared through the Bank
Of Pirtsburg. Al that bank this after
noon il was stated that sufficient de-
no
ney institution To protect the clear
ings house. and that all checks had
been sent back to the original banks.
After the meeting one of the direct
OTs said that the books had been gone
over huTriediy before the meeting, and
that as far as they knew they were all
right. The director said that Bank Elk
aminer Cunningham would begin i'm
mediately an examination of all the
books of the bank. This will require
about five days, he said, before state
ment can be made.
Poison and Pistol.
Mr.. Clarke took his life while in his
bedroom in his home in Bellevue this
morning by taking poison and then
shooting himself in the right temple.
He fingered until $50 this afternoon,
and without having regained conscious
ness ne died. Mr.. Clarke was not feel
inc well this morning, and his wife adj
Vised him TO remain in bed, and he
consented to do SO. Mrs. Clarke then
went down stairs.
About o'clock she heard a heavy
fall in the room above. Thinking her
husband had tainted she hurried to the
bedroom and found him lying on the
floor, with the revolver still in his
hand. Mrs. Clarke's screams brought
her two daughters and the servant to
the room. Physicians were quickly
called, but their services were Of no
avail.
Suicide Long Planned.
Mr.. Clarke had taken an ounce Of
laudunum and then shot himself. The
presence of the empty laudenum bottle
beside Mr.. Clarke when his wife found
him is Il mystery and seems TO lndl-
cate that Mr.. ClaTke's attempt at sui
eide had been contemplated previously,
although he had never said anything
which would lead his family To believe
that he intended to Kill himself
Mr. Clarke has lived in Bellevue for
fifteen years and has always held po-
sitions OF the highest honor and trust
in his own community. He represent
ed the Second ward in Bellevue cOun-
Gil. Clarke was member of the Unit
ed Presbyterian church of Bellevue,
being a member of the board. He has
always taken an active interest in the
work of the church and was its largest
contributor.