The Washington herald., 1907-08-23


Tucson. Ariz., of the arrest there Of E. H.
Potts. on a warrant issued in this city,
charging him with the theft Of FIVE GER
tifeates of Erie Railroad stock from the
American National Bank, where he was
temporarily employed during the last two
weeks in July The warrant was sworn
out yesterday by Robert n. Harper pres
ident of the bank. based upon the fact
that the securities are missing from the
bank. and that portion Of them were
pledged by Potts in q Baltimore bank as
collateral for a loan.
Belief that Potts is in Tucson. Ariz.,
rests upon a message received from him
at that point by the bank in Baltimore
last Monday. in answer to a letter, for
warded to him from his home in Vir-
glnia.
The conduct Of Potts, after taking the
bonds and disposing Of a portion Of them,
marks him as one Of the coolest men ever
enmeshed in the tolls Of wrong-doing.
About July 27 he left the bank. where he
had taken the place Of a clerk who was
on his vacation. and it is assumed that
come time within the previous two weeks
he had take nthe certificates Of stock
Applies for Loan.
A few days later he applied to bank
in Baltimore for a loan Of $3.50. offering
two of the certificates as collateral He
stated to the bank president. with whom
he was acquainted that he intended TO 90
into business in that city, and wanted to
use the proceeds Of the loan for that
purpose. He deposited 500 with the bank
as evidence of good faith, and then went
10 the home of his parents AT Hillsboro,
Va.
Potts remained about Hillsboro for I'VE
days, coming TO Washington occasionally,
and twice. at least. making the trip home
on the same train with President Harper.
with whom he conversed freely and IN
confidential manner. On several occa-
sions CASHIER Lynn. of the American
Bank. also conversed with Potts. The
young man appeared perfectly at ease
and in excellent spirits Ne spent his
time in Virginia, going about openly from
place TO place, visiting well known fami-
lies there.
On August S the stock market suddenly
dropped four or FIVE points. The next
Gay the Baltimore bank called Potts at
tention to the fact in a letter addressed
TO him at HilIsboro. Va, the address he
had given The bank wrote asking
whether the stock should be sold, and at
what price. The letter stated that if the
stock was not sold he must make further
deposit with the bank 10 cover the lower
quotations in the New York market
TeIegraphs to the Bank.
In the meantime Potts had left the
home Of his parents in Virginia and the
letter was forwarded TO Tucson. Ariz.
He received the letter and sent a tele-
gram in reply, dated last Sunday, stat
ing that he would send an additional
81 600 as margin for the stock
While these transactions were in prog
ress the certificates were missed from
the bank, on August 8. and President
Harper Immediately took steps y stop
any use OF the securities, either by sale
or as collateral on loans. The loss was re-
ported 70 the local police. and a circular
sent out 70 all the national banks OF the
country. to many stock brokers, and
other financial Institutions. The circular,
in brief, was that five 100-share certif-
Gates Of Erie Railroad stock had been
lost or stolen from the American Ma
tionaI Bank. The certificates were de-
scribed as follows: T224S5, in the name
of n. G. Campbell & Co; T24sl5. T24616.
and T24617. in the name OF Arthur S.
Leland & Co. ana T25951, in the name of
Charles Ninzensheimer & Co.
Bankers, brokers, financial agents. and
others were requested TO cooperate IN
locating the stock. and to notify the
police If offered for sale or as collateral
for loans. They were also requested to
cause the arrest and detention, pending
an investigation. Of any one who should
be found in possession Of the certificates
Get Copy of Circular.
A copy Of this circular reached the bank
In Baltimore last Tuesday morning, and
the president Immediately communicated
with Mai. Sylvester, chief OF the Wash
ington police. and with President Harper,
Of the American National Bank. telling
OF the transaction with Z. H Potts. This
was the first intimation the bank au-
thoritfes had Of the guilty party, and they
were no less surprised when it was as
certained who had taken the securities
th,-c when they were discovered missing
AS frequently happens IN such cases
Potts was an exemplary young man and
a much trusted employee of the bank He
belongs 10 a highly esteemed family IN
Loudoun County. Va. the parents Of the
young man living at Hillsboro. As a bow
he was promising, and was well known
both to President Harper and Cashier
Lynn, OF the American Bank. He is TWEEN.
ty-seven years old. man of pleasing ad.
dress, d good and accurate accountant.
About the time OF his majority he wa,
employed for two or three years in The
Loudoun National Bank Of Leesbrre
About three years ago, on account o'
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