Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-23
SEEK ARREST OF
MISSING BANKER
Warrant Issued for John I.
Evarts, Plainfield, on Lar
ceny Charge.

Plainfield, Ill, Dec. 23.-At the mo-
ment that Erastus w. Willard of Joliet
receiver for the Plainfield State bank
took charge of that Institution yester-
day, the Rev. Walter Evans, retired
Congregational minister who had $50
on deposit, swore to warrant for the
arrest of the missing John |. Evarts.
owner of the bank, charging larceny
as bailee.
In his affidavit, on which the war
rant is based, the Rev. MIR. Evans says
that the petition before Federal Judge
Carpenter, on which a receiver was
appointed, was made by three small
depositorS of the bank, friends of the
missing Evarts. and that it was their
intention to settle the claims of the
creditors by a small payment and
leave Evarts free. The Rev. Mr.. Evans
says that this is in no sense an attack
on Receiver Willard, but on the tactics
of the few who made the application
for a receivership.
Il have reason to believe" said Re
ceiver Willard yesterday, that certain
of the depositors were giver advance
information about the condition of the
bank and were enabled TO withdraw
their deposits before the bank closed"
The books show that at least four of
the depositors who were not so fav-
cred were permitted 20 deposit their
money only a few hours before the
bank doors were locked for the last
time.
Charles Sonntag, druggist, agent for
the Joliet q Southern Traction COM
pany and the Western Gas & Electric
Light Company, was allowed to deposit
$500 on Thursday. George Flagg and
Theodore Burgstahler deposited $500
each the same day. That night Evarts
disappeared. A. c. Steiner also de-
posted $500 that day
THE books are in a very tangled
condition." said Receiver Willard yes
terday when he took charge, and, with
the aid of two clerks, began to try to
learn how affairs stand. at may be
u week before can make any definite
statement"
From what he has been able to learn
after a few hours work the banks
total liabilities are about $751; 900 and
its total net assets $45, 900. These fig
uI SS al q lIdDlS W Do ClidISGu any iillIl- t
ute by new discoveries.
In the vault were S735 in cash. $4,000
in notes and about $4,000 in various Sc
curities.
The books indicate that the total
deposits have been about $4,000, but
that vouchers, checks and redeemed
certificates of deposit reduce this
amount to about $4,000, the total
known liabilities.
There are also records of realty in (
Iowa, Minnesota and other :
states, but of what value, and whether /
mortgaged, cannot be told.
Among the depositors is Mrs. S. V. !
widow of 20 years, with
bedridden son to support. All her
savings, $40 was in the bank
Some of the other depositors and .
the sum they had in the bank are:
Bert McCauley, $1,000 Robert
Sharp. $4,000; Ray Spangler. $1,SOO;
Fred Selfridge, S1,10O; Joseph Bootz.
S1,1O0; John Arthur, $1,000; William
De Merritt, $3,S0O; A c. Steiner.
5 900 Arthur Stopp, $500; Theodore
$500; A T. Corbin, $500;
Toilet & Southern, $500: Western Gas
( Electric, $500; Knights of Pythias,
500; Modern Woodmen, 5000; White
ross association, $3.50; Charles Sonn-
ag, $500: Mrs. Belle Mottinger, aunt
IF Evarts' girl clerk, 5000