The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-19
HELD FOR TRIAL

Continued from Page One:l
play poker little, but I didn't lose
much. Somehow my expenses seemed
to be always bigger than my income
and I had to keep up somehow
Never once in the talk with the
officers of the bank did Speelman men
ton his attractive young wife. The
day before the $1,000 was taken, she
went to Wakefield, Clay county, where
she is visiting her parents, Dr. and
Mrs Andrew Pearson, who are well
to do. She was not notified Of her
husbands trouble by the officials and
it is not believed she knew anything
of his shortages at the bank.
In his story Of financial troubles.
Speelman did not moralize. He went
straight to the facts in the case-or
such of them as he cared to tell-and
just fast living, he said, that caused
the trouble. Never once did the young
man tell of his experiences as a fast
young club man. of his escapades in
the social world nor of the little places
where it cost money to keep up ap-
pearanceS.
Among hundreds of friends and ac-
quaintances in Topeka, Speelman is
recognized as fast young man. He
is a member of the Topeka club, the
Country club and the Elks. with the
members of these organizations, the
young banker was very popular He
gatherings and was a welcome mem
Der of local society circles.
A Capable Young Man.
seven years ago he came to Topeka
from Beloit. He found place in the
Merchants National bank and went to
work as a collector and general clerk.
His rise in the bank was almost phe-
nomenal. Few young men had made
greater progress in business affairs
than Speelman. Courteous, accom-
modating and energetic, he elm bed
to the teller's cage in three years. It
was one of the most responsible posi-
airy. AS paying teller. Speelman's
popularity with the bank officials and
the customers continued to grow.
Each day he made requisition on the
cashier for the amount of cash prob
ably to be needed for the days bust
ness. If it was estimated that $4,000
or $4,000 would pass through the
wicker that day, Speelman was given
account. In this manner he handled
hundreds of thousands of dollars of
the banks funds. When the national
bank commissioner came to Topeka
last month, he examined the Mer-
chants National and found everything
in excellent condition. No question
was raised aginSt Speelman'S record !
But along with his progress at the
bank, Speelman was travelling at a |
fast pace in another direction. He had |
become the member of many social |
organizations. He had married the |
girl of his heart after an elopement |
and against the wishes of her parents, |
and on her he lavished much money. |
Together they are said to have given |
theater and automobile parties and en-
tertained their friends with a high |
hand. Then came Speelman's detec- |
ton.
When searched at the county jail,
numerous railway time tables were
found in IN. mans possession. The fat
that he had sent his wife to Wakefield
the day previous, convinced the officers
that Speelman had intended to leave
after taking the $1,000 from the days
accounts. a further search today re-
vealed a slip Of paper in Speelman's
possession, which verified the banks
figures that the tell was short 81
129 "a in his accounts. But. just how
and when the money was taken. is not
explained. 1t is believed the defalca-
lions cover a period of several years,
but Speelmar neither admits nor de-
MES the assertion.
Before Commissioner Campbell today, |
Speelmau sat with folded arms He
was not represented by counsel. The |
bank clerk was visibly quite nervous |
Dark spots under his eyes indicated a |
restless, sleepless night in the county |
jail Yet Speelman answered questions !
promptly and in a low undertone.
1T won't be necessary to hold pre- |
liminary," Speelman said Then ne !
asked about the bond and when his |
trial would be held Maybe | can get |
bond" he young man said, at least |
I will tr-." Then the man walked back |
to the county jail
Sorrow in BfiIeham Home
one of the tragedies of the SpeeIman 1
EN- bezzlament is made manifest today !
in the h )rne Of John Mileham and wife, |
21S Topeka avenue They are the
grandparents of Mrs. SpeeIman- For |
nearly 40 years they have lived IN their
modest home en- Topeka avenue. Both !
have passed the four score year mark /
and have little of the worlds goods /
left to show for their struggles
When the granddaughter married Spell
man, the aged couple decided her the To-
pel<a avenue home, and it was remodeiied
and refurnished by Speelnan- Here the
two families have lived. some months
ago Speelman mortgaged the home. Per-
haps the money went just where the
g, coo from the funds of the Merchants
National went Now the little equity IN
the home promises to go to satisfy Speei-
mans Indebtedness. It was in this home
that 1fileham and his wife have spent
hale their life 1t was In this home that