Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-18
PROBE BANKS AFFAIRS
SEQUEL TO TRAGIC DEATH OF
CASHIER LAST NIGHT.

NORTH ATTLEBORO. Mass. Deem
Der 1s-The jewelers. National Bank of
this town. whose vice president and
cashier, Frederick E. Sergeant was found
dead in bathtub at his apartments last
night. failed to open its doors for bust
ness today. A notice posted on the door
stated that the bank would remain closed
pending an examination of its affairs.
Bank Examiners Alfred Ever and Harry
n. Currier are making an investigation.
Frederick Z. Sergeant cashier and
vice president of the jewelers. Ma
tional Bank of this town and prominently
identified with Providence. r. l., and
North Attleboro business firms. was found
dead in the bathtub of his home, in the
bank building, last night.
Medical Examiner Holden stated that
IN his opinion death was due to acct
dental drowning. Several of the direct
ors of the bank held meeting last night
in the banks Offices
The president of the jewelers. National
Bank is Albert H. Wiggin OF the Chase
National Bank, New York.
Suspicion Excited.
NEW YORK. December 1S.-Albert H.
Wlssln, president of the jewelers. Ma
uonal Bank of North Attleboro, Mass.
said today:
The sudden death of Cashier F.. E.
Sergeant naturally excited suspicion and
caused the directors to make an imme-
date Investigation of the condition OF the
Jewellers National Bank of North Attic
boro. Mass. In this examination they
were assisted by National Bank Exam
iner CuTrier of Boston. The investiga-
ton shows that Mr.. Sergeant mas exceed
Cd ms authority and that, without the
knowledge of the directors, he made loans
TO 'oca! concerns in which he was indi-
v1dually interested. The board of direc-
tors, pending completion of the examina-
ton. decided that it was best for the
bank to remain closed"
Mr.. Wiggin lives in New York and said
today that the conduct of affairs of the
jewelers. National Bank had been largely
left with the local board of directors.
Voted. to Keep Bank Closed.
Although President Albert II. Wiggin
of the bank, who is in New York city,
sent Instructions from that city last night
that the institution should open for busi-
ness as usual today, the directors at an
early meeting today voted to keep the
bank closed until a thorough examination
of its books had been made. The fol-
lowing notice was posted on the door:
This bank will not open for business
today, pending an examination of its ,af-
fairs, per order of the board of directors"
Bank Examiners Ever and Currier ar
rived Lere early today and al once began
their investigation, being assisted in their
work by the bank officials.
Medical Examiner c. s. Holden stated
today that he had not given the cause
of the death of Mr.. Sergeant as ''acci-
dental drowning" as reported last night
but simply as drowning" Further than
this he declined to discuss the case.
1t is expected that President King, who
is also vice president of the Chase Ma
tional Bank of New York, would arrive
here some time today.
AS most of the manufacturing jewelers.
in this town and in Attleboro have been
doing business with the jewelers. Ma
tional Bank, it is anticipated that there
would be some difficulty in making up
the pay rolls of the factories of the bank
remains closed. Wednesday is the regu-
lar pay day at two of these factories.
According to the last statement of the
bank the capital was 100000; surplus and
undivided profits, s40350: deposits.
81 ,O5O.71O, and loans and discounts,
s917,T6O.
The bank was the successor of the At
tleboro National Bank, which was organ
lied for the convenience of the jewelry
trade in that district.