The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-05-10
WARRANT IS OUT FOR
h. ". PARKER, BANKER
Grand Larceny in First Degree
Is the Charge Made.
From Fridays Daily.

Prosecuting Attorney Harry Bulls
of Faribault county has caused to
be issued a warrant for the arrest
of H. w. Parker, vice president of
the Bank of Commerce at Whine.
bago City, on Tuesday. Parker is
charged with grand larceny. County
Attorney Bulls swore out the war
rant on information furnished him
by Bank Examiner Kelsey Chase.
The Bank of Commerce was tenn,
porarily closed yesterday by Mr..
Chase of Faribault, state bank eX-
aminer. and he is now making an
examination of the banks books
and accounts.
Vice President Parker, it was
learned, left Winnebago City Friday
afternoon, saying that he was going
to st. Paul to interview August Hob
enstein, department commander of
Canton Encampment and representa-
tive to the sovereign grand lodge of
Odd Fellows, to discuss with him
his own candidacy for grand master
of the Odd Fellows. He did not re-
turn to Winnebago on Saturday, as
he said he would, and upon investi-
cation it was learned that Parker,
just before his departure, cashed a
Bank of Commerce draft for $4,000
at the First National bank of Winnie
bago City and it is believed by the
authorities that he took the money
on a bank in st. Paul
Whether further shortage will
be shown at the bank has not yet
been determined, although the serv-
ices of Special Examiner Regain
were called to assist his chief in
the examination. 1t is feared that
a shortage will develop, probably
reaching $4,000 more than the amount
secured on the draft
Inquiries were Immediately made
upon learning of the supposed al
legged embezzlement in st. Paul and
also in Minneapolis, where Parker
has a brother, but nothing has been
learned of the missing mans where
abouts. The brother arrived in Win
nebago yesterday to do what he
could to clear up the mystery.
Had No Bad Habits.
Vice President Parker, it is said,
had no bad habits and was consider
ed one of the finest and most exem-
plary men in Winnebago. He has
been with the bank for many years
and had gained the respect and con-
fidence of his patrons. He is about
forty years of age and has wife
and three children at Winnebago. 1t
is said he had no illicit relations with
women, but it is suspected that he
speculated and it is believed that
he lost in the pit, and in order to
make up for the posses, took the
money Previous to his becoming
connected with the bank, he was
manager of a grain brokers' estab-
lishment in Winnebago. The con-
Germs headquarters were in Min
neapolis.
Bank Organized in 1908.
The Bank of Commerce was organ
lied as a private bank in 1903 and
became a state bank the following
year.
John Sharp who is president of
the bank, received a legacy from
Scotland previous to the establish
ment of the bank and with this mon
ey he started the financial institu-
ton. 1t now has a capital stock OF
$4,000, a surplus of $4,000 and de-
posits of $4,000. Mr.. Sharp stated
that he will give up every dollar he
has to pay the depostOrs in full.
Glenn Bassett is cashier of the bank,
but Parker, who was vice-president,
was cashier in reality as he had
charge of the affairs of the institu-
ton.
1t is expected that the suspension
will be only temporary. The bank
examiner has not progressed suffi-
GENTLY with the examination to be
willing to make a definite statement
and the extent of the alleged short
age, but it is believed that the short
age is considerably more than the
$4,000 which Parker is supposed to
have carried away with him.
Recalls the Secor Disappearance.
This is the second time that trou-
BILE has arisen in banks at Winnie
bago. Eight years ago Stanley Sec
or, cashier of the Faribault county
bank, which was a private institu-
ton, made off with large sum OF
money, and dropped out of sight en-
tirely, as it we're. He has never
been heard of since. His father
David Secor, died three years ago.
having never fully recovered from
the blow of his sons wayWardness.
Every effort will be made to ap-
prehend Parker, but he has man
aged to gain a good start of officers
who may be put on his track He
is we'll supplied with money.
Mrs. Parker is Frustrated. She
can give no explanation Of her hus-
bands actions. On Friday Parker
4lof he