Evening star., 1909-06-08
BANK SHORT $4,000
Bookkeeper at New Haven Un-
der Arrest.
WAS A TRUSTED EMPLOYE
Discovery a Shock to Officers Of Mer'
chants National.
LEADER IN RELIGIOUS WORK
Brigham, Who Is Forty-Seven Years
Old and Married, Takes His Ar
rest Coolly-Bank Solvent.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW HAVEN, Conn.,, June s.-The
biggest surprise that has been sprung in
| local banking circles in many years de-
veloped late last night in he arrest of
F. Brigham. head bookkeeper Of the Mer-
chants National Bank In this city. for
shortages in his accounts, which. it was
reported, might reach a total of about
$4,000. Brigham has been in the en-
ploy of the bank for eighteen years, has
been a trusted employe Of that institution,
and the discovery of the shortage yester-
day was a great surprise to the officers
of the bank. Brigham was a prominent
church member and was actively identi-
fed with religious work in West Haven,
where he lived.
President Warren of the Merchants
Bank said that there had not been any
suspicion of Brigham being anything but
honest until yesterday, when, going over
accounts in the course OF the regular
system Of the bank, something wrong was
discovered. Immediately men were set
to work to probe the accounts and
large shortage was discovered.
Mr.. Warren stated that he could say
nothing about the amount of the shortage.
and at police headquarters the spec1nc
sum of 5000 was used as the sum to
HOIu brigham VII, UuI IL 10 lCPOl tCu oh
good authority that the full sum will be
many times that amount. President War
rem said the shortage would not AFFECT
the standing Of the bank, the condition
| of which viii not be seriously affected.
Takes His Arrest Coolly.
When the discovery was made the po-
| lioe were notified and detectives went to
the home Of the bookkeeper and brought
him to the bank. Brigham was questioned
and as he failed to make a satisfactory
explanation he was placed under arrest
and locked up. He is held for the United
States court, and bond was set at $4,000.
Brigham is forty-seyen years old and
married. When arrested he did not ap-
pear to be greatly worried by the situa-
tion in which he found himself. Shortly
after his arrest his wife appeared at
police headquarters. and, aside from p
little nervousness. also seemed very cool.
Whether there Is any chance Of recover
ing any of the missing money could not
be learned last night. but the police are
working on the case. The care with
which they are guarding the keys OF the
arrested man would seem to indicate that
they hope to find some of the money
still untouched.
In speaking of the discovery. President
Warren said that no special audit of the
books had been made. but that in the
course of going over the books in accord
ance with the system of the bank the
| shortage had been located.
The Merchants National Bank Is one
| OF the strongest financial institutions not
only in the city, but In the state. The
| discovered shortage will not In the least
| disturb its stability.
Banks Latest Statement.
AS shown by the last report of the
| United States controller Of the currency
April %. 1909, the condition of the bank
was as follows: Resources-Loans
and discounts, 1.133, 10000; overdrafts,
secured and unsecured, S227.13; United
States bonds to secure circulation, 800
CoO; bonds. securities, ETC.. $227, $40; bank
| ing house, furniture and fixtures, $40
| coo; due from national banks (not reserve
agents.. 500. $50 %: due from state banks
and bankers. $1o. 1855; due from ap-
proved reserve agents. $2O5. 200 "a; checks
and other cash items. s4s5.5S; exchanges
| for clearing house S19,9S7 81; notes of
| other national banks. $1O 1O0; fractional
| paper currency, nickels and cents, 81 49,
| specie. $71, ,226.3O: legal tender notes, $780,
/ oD $S1, ,2263o; redemption fund with
| United States Treasurer % per cent of
circulation), $500; due from United
| States Treasurer other than ) per cent
redemption, $3.50; total. $1.SSS, 713. 53.
| Liza iabilities-Capital stock paid in, $3.50
600: surplus fund. S1jO.OOO; undivided
| profits, less expenses and taxes paid
/ SSt.Jtf-f. national Ddnk notes OulSldHu-
| ing. SluU,oOo. due to other national banks,
4 S14, 4,.t;4.14: due to state banks and bank
ers. S4311.41: due to approved reserve
4 agents, S6l..14o9; due TO trust compa-
MES and savings banks, s55661.O .O6; divi-
dends unpaid, S2o5.13; individual deposits
subject to checks. $1.O2o.944.4 40; demand
certificates of deposit, $2SS12.16; certi-
fled checks, $12, ,S33. 50: cashiers checks
ontstandins.. 1888 H1.12S.4 .459.6O; total.
| 81 1.SSS713
The officers OF the bank are Herbert C.
| Warren president: l.. II. English, vice
president; II. v. Whipple cashier, and
| K. S. Shepard, assistant cashier. The
| board of directors is as follows: H. e..
| Warren. James English. John Mailing.
| George II. Ford. F.. l.. Biselow, Thomas
| Wallace, jr; Frederick ID. Grave, Samuel
| \. York. Lewis III. English, Burton Mans
| field and James T. Moran.
Bank Open for Business.
Tile bank was opened this morning
for business. as usual, and an expert
examination was being made. in which
national examiners are taking part.