Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-19
TREAS. INGERSO[l
ADMITS DISCREPANCY.
Figures Of General Ledger and York
kCounty Savings Banks Depositors
B Il Do NotAgree- Cannot Tell
Just What Exact Amount Is.

Biddeford. Me, Aug. 18-Breaking
his silence of a week, enforced by his
physical condition, which it had been
feared would result in death, Rich
mond H. Ingersoll, managed feebly to-
day to give brief account of his stew
ardship of the affairs of the York
County Savings Bank, of which for so
years he was treasurer.
Mr.. Ingersoll admitted that there is
shortage in the banks funds.
The exact amount of this shortage he
could not tell he said nor could he say
definitely over how many years the
discrepancies ran. To President c. H.
Prescott of the bank and Bank Elk
aminer w. B. Shelton with whom he
had the interview Mr.. Ingersoll declar-
ed that the depositors individual ac-
counts as represented in their pass
books, had in no wise been tempered
with. Also he asserted that he alone
was aware of the discrepancy.
The interview with Mr.. Ingersoll
lasted half an hour. At the conclusion
which was necessitated earlier than
expected by his almost complete COL
lapse. he was jointed by the attending
physician who said his patient could
not be further interrogated today. Mr..
Ingersoll showed a willingness to talk
and assured the officials that he would
do all in his power to straighten out
the banks affairs. But he had much
difficulty in marshalling his thoughts
for a clear explanation and the bank
examiner left without gaining much
of the information he sought.
The shortage, which generally is set
at about 100000. may be estimated
correctly by Mr.. Ingersoll on Saturday
He said today that with the banks
books before him, he could make
close estimate of the amount.
Biddeford, Me-, Aug. 1S.-That ther'
is a discrepancy in his accounts AM
that he could not possibly tell thu
amount was admitted by Richmond IL
Ingersoll for 80 years treasurer of til,
York County Savings Bank. whose
uOOTS were ClOScu FItdoy, intC lHio Gu
ternoon in his first interview with the
officials of the bank. He believed that
later upon seeing the hoks he can fur
nish an estimate. Mr.. IngersOll de
clared the discrepancy was between the
general ledger and the depositors' in
dividual accounts All the amounts de
posted and withdrawn by depositors
have been correctly entered In thelI
passbooks. He would not undertake to
tel, how long the irregularities have
continued. He did not claim that any
one else was to blame in any way.
Former Treasurer Ingersoll was in
teryiewed by State Bank Examiner
SHELTON and President Charles II. Pres
colt of the bank for half and hour.
They completed their talk with the
aged treasurer ut 2.45 o'clock. He was
a little weak from the effects of the
headache powders or other drug taken
last week The evidence he furnished
was much the same as that contained
in the note which he left in his desk be-
fore leaving the bank. The officials
will see Mr.. Ingersoll again as soon as
his condition will permit
President Prescott explained how the
discrepancy grew through the neces-
sity of entering dividends on the pass
books. as follows:
HE states that the discrepancy III
these accounts will be found in lmprop-
er transfers from one account to an
other which he made for the purpose
of concealing losses by the bank ana
which did not amount originally to a.
much as the present discrepancy VII
be found to be, for the reason that he
has since been adding to the deposit
account on the general ledger at the
bank an amount every six months
equal to the dividends as SHOWN u!
that account while he has ceen enter
ing on depositors' individual accounts
the true dividends to which they were
respectively entitled, thus increasing
the discrepancy every six months. Al
ter talking with Mr. Ingersoli ABOUT
half an hour he appeared quite Ia
tipued and the questioning had to be
discontinued. We left him with MS
daughter and physician. A further m
terview will be held as soon as practl-
cable"
More than 25 per cent. of the 4oo,
nassbooks of the York County Savings
BANK had been returned today and sat
isfactory progress has been made IN
examining the books of Former Treas
urer Richmond H. Ingersoll. whose r.
regularities caused the closing or the
banks doors nearly a week ago. Inc
officials thought further statement
might be made the last of this week
or within a week. They also believe
Mr.. Ingersoll, who was found in an un-
conscious and dying condition week
ago tonight, in short time would De
. hle to explain some things which VIII
materially assist them. They expect ne
will aid them in every way possible
The progress of examining the ac-
counts is a very slow one. starring
with the present year, the ofnciais pc
gan to trace back through the DOCKS