The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-31

the directors that Flack will be able
t. clear up many things in the conduct
of the bank during the last few months
OF it's management that they have
never been able to untangle. RACK
prosecution will probably be under the
state banking department.
His Two Years Wanderings.
AS he sat in the sheriff's office smok-
ing a cigar and chatting with friends
he told the following story of his two
years as a fugitive:
MY wife and I left Abilene ,wo years
ago about this time We went direct to
West Hoboken, N. ]. After we were
there a week I read in the city daily
the failure of the bank and the condi-
ton of affairs at Abilene. I immedi-
ately lost my head. I sent my wife
back here to do what she could. We
divided what money we had, $500, be-
tween us. My first employment was
feeding cattle on a cattle ship between
Boston and Liverpool. made that trip
twice. The second time remained 1T
Liverpool expecting to get employment
in the form of clerical work il a manu-
featuring company. L was told that the
job would not be open until January so
returned to New York 1 was taken
sick on my arrival there. When I got
well all my money was gone. 1 was up
against it. Sometimes I scarcely had
enough to eat and felt the cold and
hunger you read about.
IT found employment working in
listing hand addressin.r houses, ad-
dressing letters By the way, several of
the letters 1 addressed came to Abilene.
1 also rustled freight on the piers, sold
pop corn on the streets, worked in
book bindery, and sausage factory. The
reports thai 1 ran a hot tamale stand
were wrong. My wife Joined me in
June. 1911 In the meantime had lost
dc haffnr Whan
my wife came. Her cooking got me in
shape again. Mrs. Flack had chance
for several good positions but when 1t
came to references she had to give
them up. She was afraid she would
disclose my whereabouts. followed the
work 1 had been doing until 1 was
taken
About F1ack's Capture.
Concerning F1ack's capture Chief De-
tective Searles said: Detective ]. J.
Allen, of the surety company, and A
NJ. BirdSan head of the company'S claim
department went to Trowe's after they
learned he had gone back there to work
again and asked for F'lack. When Flack
entered the room Allen said: Hello
there, Mr.. Flack. How are your Flack
Strengthened up and a tremor ran
through his frame. He drew a hand
kerchief from his pocket and mopped
the perspiration from his forehead:
Then he faced Allen looking him
straight in tho eye. The next moment
his face relaxed into a smile of relief.
This is good: this is fine, boys he said.
Really you don't know what a relief
to me this is. 1t sure is good to hear
that name again after using an alias
the past two years.
Flack appeared happy after his ar
rest and did not ask Allen what he was
wanted for; nor did he make any
trouble when the detective told him ne
would have to accompany him to the
offices of the surety company. F7ack
was then taken to the Tombs and kept
there for the arrival of the sheriff from
Dickinson county with the requisition
papers,"
History of the Case.
1t was just two years ago the coming |
September 8, when the customers of the |
Abilene State bank went to that insti- |
tuition and found its doors closed with |
this notice tackled them: t'I hereby |
certify that L have just completed a |
careful and thorough examination of |
the Abilene State bank. Such examina- |
ton shows some losses caused by de-
of John A. Flack, late |
bank commissioner
Then Abilene woke up to the fact that |
one OF its mos trusted citizens had left |
tor parts unknown and his associates |
IN business We're left to make good his
defalcationS. Flack had been cashier /
OF the bank for five years. He had prac-
tcally full charge of the active man
agement OF the bank which had de-
pcsits of about 100000. He evidently
had used the banks money in invest
ments, most of them being in Abilene.
FIack transferred his property deed |
and bill of sale to one of the directors
Tor the benefit of the directors His |
property, amounted to nearly $50. 900 |
still leaving him shortage of $50. OOO
Mr.. Flack was prominent in every |
gooc work, was often chosen to pre-
SIDE at public meetings and acted as |
treasurer of many organizations. /
These, however, found their accounts
stra1ght. He was prominent in poll
ties. being probate judge for two |
terms, Democratic candidate for con-
gress from this district and at one |
time the nominee for state senator.
HIS handsome home was the scene of |
many hoSpitable entertainments and /
while he lived we'll he did not splurEe.
With no children he and ms wife gave /
a great deal of pleasure to others
After turning over his property to /
his banking associates, F1ack and his |
wife left for New York and he took
$500 from his brother at Enterprise /
prev ious to his leaving. No effect was |
made to bring him back for arrest. |
1t was last January an active search /
for him began.
Flack left Abilene on Monday and |
the following Sunday L s Hallan,
president of the bank, died in Mr.
F1ack's own home from the shock of /
F1ack's wrong doings.
Since Flack's capture one of the