The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-23
CLERK DISAPPEARS;
CERTIFICATES, TOO.
Edwin Potts, Virginian
Recently Employed in
Bank, Is Missing.
HE is CHARGED
WITH FELONY
Accused is from Loudoun County
and Was Recently Discharg
ed--Hypothecates Sc
curities Valued at
$1,000 - Bank
Secure.

WASHINGTON. .. G.. August a.
Edwin II. Potts. Until q few days ago
trusted employe of the American
National Bank, is missing, and the po-
lice are looking 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.
yesterday, and a warrant issued for the
arrest of the former clerk.
1t was thought by the detective bu-
reau that Potts might have gone to
his former home, at Hillsboro, Loudoun
county, Va, but Detectives Pratt and
Howlett, who are working on the case.
learned that he had not been there.
Yesterday afternoon Inspector Board
man obtained information that two
blocks of the certificates had been de-
posted in Baltimore. where, 1t is
charged, Potts obtained loan upon
them. President Harper had payment.
on the certificates stopped. and his
action, 1t is said, renders them value
less. Potts was under bond in the
. sum Oh sEV,vVu, the DdIih oAiCidAS SldtSs
and the bank will therefore not lose
by his alleged dishonest transactions.
potts WAS Trusted Clerk.
The missing clerk was known by
Colonel Robert n. Harper, of the bank,
and by Cashier Lynn and Others con-
rected with the institution. He lived
not far from the home of the president
and cashier In Loudoun county. The
young man had been employed in the
hank for several years, and until a
short while ago was regarded as a
trustworthy man. His affairs were in
Nsstigated by the bank officials and hts
resignation was demanded. 1t was not
until after he had left the employ OF
the bank that the securities We're
missed.
Potts had access to The securities,
and the bank officials say 1T waa an
easy matter for him to help himself
to them. AS soon as President Har-
per became aware of the loss of the
Ave blocks of stocks. representing 500
shares, he lost no time in notifying
banking institutions all over the coun-
try to stop payment.
Reports received by the police and
bank officials indicate that Potts was
in Baltimore soon after he left the
employ OF the bank, and 1t was while
he was in that city, 1t is alleged. that
money was borrowed upon tne 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 did, finding them at a
Baltimore bank. 1t is said that later
Potts telegrapheo from a town In Ari-
Eona 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 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 respected.
Bunk VIII Not Lose.
When President Harper was seer
he said that the bank would not lose
by the defalcation of Potts. Th'
emount, he said, would reach abou
s11, 900, part of which has been re
covered.
After he left the city report wa
received that he was in Tuscon, Arz
whence several days ago he telegraph
ed to the Baltimore bank relative T.
the loan which he made there recentl!
upon the stock.
The bonds which were taken, MI
Harper declared, in conclusion, wer
NOT under Potts's care. When aske
II the bank would prosecute, he simp!.
stated:
1--WE haven't caught the man yet"