Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-11-23
GRAND JURY IN
Diets BANKERS
Kester, the Kettenbachs and Rob-
nett Held on Many Charges

AiHi@@A NHt~~ Mechs ApNnA ~ NAAuth-
Ing the Affairs OF the Lewiston Ma
tional bank. the federal grand Jury
returned indictments against Preal-
dent Frank w. Kettenbach, ex-Preai-
dent W. r. Kettenbach. ex-Caahier
George II. Kester and -Bookkeeper
Charles w Robnett on practically
every phase OF the national banking
laws, eight indictments being re-
turned.
Frank w. Kettenbacr and Clarence
w Robnett were indicted for alb
straeting st37.2261s from the funds
and credits OF the Lewiston National
bank. while W. r Kettenbach was in
dicted for aiding and abetting these
distractions
G. w. Robnett was indicted on
four counts for making false entries
on individual deposits and Frank
w Kettenbaeh for aiding and abet.
ting these false entries.
Frank w, Kettenbach and Clarence
w Robnett were indicted for con-
spiracy 10 commit the oTense OF abb
straction.
says Kettenlaeh Took Funds.
VIM T. Kettenbach George n.
Kester and Clarence w. Robnett
were indicted on four counts for abb
stracting s3S.s5s6T. from the funds
of the bank on four different days
in the spring OF 1907.
c. w Robnett was indicted for
making false entries Of the amount
due depositors In daily bank balance
book No. 6 in 1907 while win ".
Kettenbaeh and George n. Kegter.
president and cashier. respectively.
were indicted for aiding and abettlng
these false entries.
WIN y. Kettenbach and George II.
Kester we're indicted on ~ counts
for distractions which total siI.-
stT.ts. made in 1907 prior 10 the
land fraud cases which were tried In
Nay cf that year
George II Kester. former cashier.
was indicted on six counts for max
lng false reports In three reports 10
the comptroller OF the currency IN
1907. while VIII y. Kettenbach. then
president ls indicted on the charge
OF aiding and abetting these false
reports.
Judge Dietrich ordered that bonds
be hxed at 1880 for each defendant
on each Indictment. United States At
torney Gordon coneurring in this No
bench warrants were issued. but the
defendants will be required 70 give
bond before United States commis-
stones O'Neill OF Lewiston
Court adjourned without any de-
cision as TO the adjourned term. bur
this matter will be disposed Of when
action IL taken on numerous aemaF-
rers and pleas In the land fraud
cases which have been hled and
which viii be argued In Boise
Two Aiaortakea In Bank.
When the government instituted
Investigations Il was known that two
separate and distinct shortages oe-
Cured. the nrst having besn made
good when the former onleiala re-
signed. The investigations have been
made hurriedly. but Judge Dietrich
issued an order which will permit
government expert accountants to
go into the bank and II Ii expected
the affairs OF the bank will be probed
back 70 the time the Keater-Ketten-
bach forces took charge. about ~
years ago
II was AZ the request OF Assist
ant United States Attorney General
Peyton Gordon that the bonds ~sre
made low He said all that was re-
quired b. placing indicted pere0ns
under bond vas an assurance that
they would appear In court. and
when sTse0 vas named as the
amount for each defendant be sx-
7 pressed satisfaction Ne dId not ask
for bench warrants. but agreed tha,
the defendants eonid fls bond before
q Unfted States commissioner.
LIES" Asserts aettentarh.
+ LEWISTON. Idaho. Nov. 23.-w
y kestenbaeh. formerly president OF
the Lewiston National bank. who waa
indicted BY the grand jury at Nos.
COW on charges Of embexzlement and
aiding and abestinG therein. refused
/ tcontinuea On PaEo FOar.l