Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-22
BANK CLERK fLEES;
$4,000 MISSING
Police Looking for Edwin H.
Potts of American National.
WAS RECENTLY FORCED OUT
And Examination of His Books Re-
vealed Loss.
WAS A TRUSTED EMPLoYE
Borrowed Money on Missing Securities
While in Baltimore Soon After
His Resignation.
And Examination of His Books Re-
vealed Loss.
WAS A TRUSTED EMPLoYE

EuWll IOltS, uHtll a rev DAYS ago a
trusted employee of the American National
Bank, is missing and the police are look
ing for him on charge of having stolen
$1,000 of certificates of Erie railroad stock
Potts was forced to resign some days ago
and an examination of his books revealed
the loss.
Complaint was made to the police yester-
day and warrant issued for the arrest
of the former clerk.
1t was thought by the detective bureau
that Potts might have gone to his former
home, at Hillsboro, Loudoun county, Va,
but Detectives Pratt and Hewlett, VINO are
working on the case, learned that he had
not been there.
Yesterday afternoon Inspector Boardman
obtained information that two blocks of
the certificates had been deposited in Bal
timore, where, it is charged, Potts obtained
a loan upon them. President Harper had
payment on the certificates stopped and his
action. it is said, renders them valueless.
Potts was under bond in the sum of so, coo,
the bank officials state. and the bank will
transaction.
Potts Was Trusted Man.
The missing clerk was known by Robert
N Harper of the bank and by Cashier Lynn
He lived not far from the home of the pres
ident and cashier in Loudoun county.
Potts had been employed in the bank for
several years and until short while ago
was regarded as a trustworthy man. His
affairs were investigated by the bank Off
Gals and his resignation was demanded. It
was not until after he had left the employ
of the bank that the securities were missed.
Potts had access to the securities and
the bank officials say it was an easy mat
ter for him to help himself to them. As
soon as President Harper became aware
of the loss of the five blocks OF stocks,
representing 500 shares, he lost no time
in notifying banking institutions all over
the country to stop payment.
Money Borrowed on Loot.
Reports received by the police and bank
officials indicate that Potts was in BaIti-
more soon after he left the employ of the
bank and 1t was while he was in that
city, it is alleged, that money was Dor
rowed upon the stock.
First Request of Police.
When the police were first informed that
the certificates were missing they were
merely asked to trace them. which they
finding them q a Ra1fimDra IA Z
is said that later Potts telegraphed from a
town in Arizona to the Baltimore bank
about the disposal of the certificates. 1t is
also said that he telegraphed to President
Harper saying that he would make good
the loss.
Potts had been employed in a bank at
Leesburg, Va, and was brought from that
place. to Washington by President Harper
and Cashier Lynn. His parents reside at
Hillsboro, Va, where they are highly re-
spected.
Bank Will Not Lose.
When President Harper was seen this
afternoon he said that the bank would not
lose by the defalcaton of Potts. The
amount. he said. would reach about sl1 900,
part of which has been recovered
He stated that Potts had been employed
at the Leesburg Bank of which he is di-
rector, for three years, and was always
held in the highest regard
Potts some time ago attempted to borrow
money on two shares Of the stock in Bal
timore bank which resulted in the defaIca-
ton coming to light.
After he left the city report was re-
ceived that he was in Tuscon Arz., whence
several days ago he telegraphed to the
Baltimore bank relative to the loan which
he made there recently upon the stock.
For at least two years, Mr.. Hooper said,
Potts had been connected with the Amer
lean National and through that time not
one action upon his part caused a breath
of suspicion to be directed toward him by
the bank officials.
1--WE would have trusted him with any
amount of money said Mr. Harper.
The bank president then told of the ex-
They live near Lynchburg, Va and are re-
garded in that section as persons of the
highest integrity.
The bonds which We're taken, Mr.. Harper
declared in conclusion, were not under
Potts care. When asked If the bank would
prosecute, he simply stated
I'VE haven't caught the man yet