The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-03
FATHER, TOO, ROBBED BANK.
ELDER TURNEY MADE AWAY
WITH S1O6, 900 IN 1877.

After Joseph A. Turney, the embezzling
rote teller of the Bank Of North America,
bad waived examination yesterday morning
in the Tombs police court and had been
held in $4,000 bail it became known that
bis father had stolen sl0e, 900, with the con-
nlvanee ST another clerk, from the same
bank in 1877. The father restored 81, 200
TO the bank, and the directors made up the
loss and hushed it up rather than have the
safety Of the bank imperilled by a nun.
The elder Turney died about three years
ago a respected citizen.
The name of the young woman who has
figured ia the sons case also became pub
lie. she is Miss Edna NJ. Leonard, who
keeps a boarding house at 35s West Forty
sixth street. The bank officials say that
their Investigations show that Miss Leon
ard Is entirely blarneless for Turney's steal
ings. and they are convinced that his rela.
tons with her were solely those Of a BUSH
ness friend. Miss Leonard admitted yes
terdly that she knew Turney, and said
she lid been unfortunate enough to have
her name mixed up in the affair but she
decla red most positively that she knew
nothing OF the mans stealings and had not
BIZ = ~ NIAOLLs OdAh olllCLdlo d10
satisfied that she is telling the truth. They
say that her house is respectable and that
they have dropped that side Of the case.
The disclosure OF the stealings Of the
elder Turney came as a surprise to the
present officials Of the Bank Of North
America. A former director Of the bank
dictated at his Office a statement about the
old embez zlenlent. He said that he got
the full particulars from the late William
Dowd, who was onc president OF the Bank
OF North America, and also was vice-presi-
dent Of the Clearing House. This is what
the former director wrote out himself:
One morning in 1877 the paying teller,
Mr.. Turney, went to Mr.. Dowd and con-
tossed that he had for a long time been
abstracting funds of the bank with the
oonnivance of another clerk and that the
money had been lost in speculation. The
amount stolen reached S106 900.
the examiners were about to inquire
into the banks condition. Turney realized
that it was no longer possible to cover up
the deficit. He had carried it along for
severa! years, but the amount had become
60 large that discovery was inevitable.
Turney and his accomplish were able to
Lax SOTVSNi bO tLlhO ~ oSOOo4 iooo W tL4O
bank was 100000.
-In view Of the general condition Of
affairs, OF the former good character Of
Mr.. Turney, his long and faithful services
to the bank and another reason, which
need not be mentioned, the officers de-
cided to keep the matter to themselves.
Mr.. Turney secured employment else
where and, Sc far as we know, led an up
right life. He died about three years ago
q respected citizen"
The statement went on to say that Joseph
Turney was employed in the bank at that
time as a boy. but was not discharged
because it was thought such a course
would be unjust to him, and that he grew
up to be one of the most valued clerks
in the institution and had such a capacity
for work that be could do almost twics
as much work as any one in the bank.
He was the Oldest employee of the bank.
The former director who revealed the
fathers crime added:
sAl his old friends are grieved to learn
that this young man, who has been in
the bank for thirty-three years, has fol-
lowed in the footsteps Of his father and,
like him. has been detected in a defalcation.
ekOOBu VI IllNIu 1000 pIOpOl IlOuc'
The former director said privately in
Of his words another reason
which need not be mentioned" that it
in troublous financial times and a run
was feared il the defalcation should be-
come known. He understood from Mr..
that the directors made good ths
loss and that the bank did not lose anything.
President Curtis and the other present
officials OF the bank were astonished at
the story. Mr.. Curtis said the books OF
1877 had been destroyed and that he could
verify the story from them.
We simply know nothing about it." he
said. Coming from the source it does
it is undoubtedly true, but we nave no
record of it here"
Vice-Presideat Lee said yesterday that
Miss Leonard had told him all she knew
about Turney without reserve, and con-
vinced him absolutely of the truth Of her
story. She came to this city from a small!
in Pennsylvania and about fourteen
months ago bought out the furniture Of
the West Forty-sixth street house from a
Miss Edith Singerland and got a leass at
$500 a year from the Aston estate. Miss
Leonard is only % years old and is oomely.
: IC dSc4-I Oh INC plOpCIb W EN"1lh aSI-
forth Of 81 West Forty-second street, said
yesterday that she was "a good tenant and
prompt pay
Investi cation showed that the dodgers in
the house were above reproach, n MI.
Lee said he was convinced that the house
was entirely respectable. He said Turney
had become acquainted with the young
woman in a legitimate way n had been
acting as a business mentor Tor her, be-
cause Of her temperance.
The charge against Turnev wac changed
yesterday in the Tombs police court from
grand larceny to forgery IN the third de-
gree, Turney pleaded o guilty. and was
held for the Grand Jury. Later in the day
Castle. Wire had an Interview with Turney
and it was SAID that TUrney had given
certain valuable Information. Mr.. Lee, the
vlce-r resident Of the bank. said that no
defdlcatlon had been discovered
ana that no one else had been imp heated.
The police We're called into the cass
again yesterday, out for what purpose
was not revealed. l. is known that
statement that Turney has made
10 the bank officials is being verified. The
said yesterday that thev were con-
Vinced that he stole the $4,000 10 COM
pirattvely small amounts