The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-21
PICKENS TELLS 1T
Thayer Cashier COnfeSSeS to
FaIsifying Figures.
He Explains Plan in Juggling
Bank Accounts.
LEFT TO AVOID SUSPICION
Took Vacation of Ten Days to
Dodge Questions.
Defense Claimed That PickenS
Was Not Capable.

In the cross examination of S. E.
Pickens this morning, the defendant
confessed to classifying figures and
creating accounts in order to balance
I his books. The attorney for the de-
Tense stated that Pickens was abso-
/ lutely incapable of moulding such re-
sponsib ; position as the cashier OF a
national bank. The cross examination
of the defendant was not completed in
/ the morning term of court He IS
charged with classifying accounts and
/ abstracting money to the extent of
1000 from the First National bank
of Thayer.
Pickens' attorney discussed indi-
vidually the eight separate counts
against the ex-cashier. The last states
the defendant deceived the comptroller
and officers of the bank by making an
erasure in the account of Mary Ham
lin. thereby causing the account to ap-
pear considerably less than it was
Explain this" demanded the at
~ney.
81 couldn't make the books balance
declared Pickens. Il worked on them
till after midnight, as late as o'clock
in the morning. Finally L forced
balance by creating figures I changed
the account to the extent of 81. 900.
j. I. Sheppard interviewed his client
concerning the testimony of j. w.
Beach, vice president of the First Ma
tional bank of Thayer, which was
heard on Wednesday morning.
Testimony was made by Mr.. Beach
had with him. Did you ever say to
Mr.. Beach that you expected to go to
the penitentiary p"
81 did not"
Did you mention pleading guilty to
any CHARGE"
mo, sir"
There was nothing you were guilty
off"
There was not"
Tells About Runaway
Something was said about your
running way. Please tell the jury
about that"
After Mr.. Bennett, the government
examiner, had arrived to examine the
books" answered Pickens, Mr.. Beach
and 1 spoke about the trouble in de-
crease of deposits. | said I am of
no use here now. Would it do any
damage to the bank if 1 were absent
for a while? The people are asking
embarrassing questions
What do you mean by that?"
II mean they were wondering why
L wasn't around. This was after 1 had
been requested to resign. They asked |
me questions that were hard to an
swer. 1t was causing comment. We |
decided 1t would be a good thing for
me to leave. I suggested that L go !
to Florida on some business for the !
X.
absent about ten days.
Mr.. Sheppard concluded his examina- |
ton by asking if Mr.. Pickens had ever
hidden anything from the examiners.
NO sir" said the cashier, the books |
were always open. I want to say
right here" he interposed, that when .
the board of directors gave me $50
month increase 1 told the board L
would rather they use that $50 to hire |
a competent helper in the bank
The examination concerning the eight !
individual counts tended to show what
was apparently gross ignorance on the
part of the ex-casher Large sums of
money had absolutely vanished, it was
brought out. Count 8 charged Mr.. Pick /
ems with appropriating $500 that be-
long to a depositor, John Stoves,
who testified yesterday.
''Mr. Stoves was credited on his pass
book, but not on his bank book: /
about his account, but simply neglect
ed to enter it on the accounts of the I
bank. 1t was a mistake, not at at
tempt to defraud.''
Count accused the cashier of re-
ceiving $4,062 from the Peoples Ma Il
tional bank at Kansas City, Kan, and
it at the bank of Thayer as
s12.07. Mr.. Pickens said he could not
ind the drafts at the time of entering
the account, but explained the matter
TO the bank examiner.
1t count Mr.. Pickens was charged
with unlawfully abstracting $4,000.
Customer Wanted Money.
zone of our most important Gus
,omers wanted $4,000 on a loan,'' said
he defendant. I'VE were anxious to
AXE care of him; a few days later we
received the money from Kansas
City. Mr.. Beach and I discussed the
egal lights of the question, and final
V gave the customer what he wished,
the amount of $500 on the
books"
c. S. Briggs, attorney for the prose-
cution. opened his examination with a
brief search into the past record of the
sx-cashier, who had held positions
with a couple of other banks before
ne accepted his position in Thayer.
ct suppose you are able to subtract,
add and multiply without making a
mistake, aren't you?' queried Mr..
Briggs.
81 am
"You know everyone that puts
money in is credited and everyone that
axes money out is charged ?'
Certainly
did you ever try to deceive any
,ne?' asked the attorney, abruptly.
IT don't know stumbled the de-
endant, SCI could not say. I can't (
Lnswer''