The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-01-22

Howard are said to have been induced
to enter the Wichita corporation and
are now being asked to protect their
notes at the bank.
Bidwell Prominent In Severy.
Being prominent in the little town.
Bidwell was connected with many local
enterprises and was a member of many
lodges. Among other things Bidwell
was school district treasurer.
One day, two weeks before the bank
closed, Bidwell went to the county seat
with an order for all the school money
due his district. He presented his or
der to the county treasurer, who in
formed him that only small portion
Of the 1913 levy had been paid. Bidwell
said the school district was in dire
financial straits, needed the money and
couldn't wait for the final settlement
after the collections closed December
20. AS a result Of his argument, Bid
well went home with 500 of the money
due the school district
The money, it is claimed, was never
turned over to the school district Now
Bidwells bondsmen must meet the loss.
Juggled Reports.
Yet Bidwelrs operations didn't stop
there. 1t is charged that he juggled his
reports to the state bank commissioner,
adopted the system of .'kiting' paper
and Incorporated the funds of the
bank to his own use. Last fall the
bank commissioner office learned that
there was too much Bfdwell paper in
the bank. Commissioner Sawyer sent
Bidwen letter in which the bank pres
ident was advised that he must clean
house, that his personal notes must be
removed and cash placed in the bank
to meet Them. Further. Bidweil was
instructed that the department would
expect the bank to make weekly state
ments. that the visits 1.-THE bank ex-
aminers would in the future be fire.
quent and examinations most search
ing Replying to that letter, Bidwell
said that he could not ind words to
express his sorrow because Of the sus-
picion directed at his bank. but that
he would not sleep until the banks
showing satisfied every demand OF the
department.
Less than two months later the
banks doors were closed.
Investigation has shown that Bid
well secured from business men and
farmers many personal loans. He paid
as high as 8 and 10 per cent for this
money and in virtually all instances.
Bidwells friends are now holding the
notes.
Turned Property Over to Bank.
One day a letter came to the bank.
1t was from Bidwell and his wife. They
enclosed q deed to their Severy home,
valued at 5000. That is all of the prop
erty, it is said, which the defaulting
bank president returned to his credit
ors. The Wichita business enterprise
is said to be in the hands OF a re-
ceiver.
A bank examiner in charge Of the af-
fairs of the defunct institution. Is al
most daily finding new Irregularities.
8. Rogers, a Wichita man. formerly
lived near Severy. Some months ago
he deposited $500 in BidwelFs bank.
That $500 was a nest egg and Rogers
never wrote checks against that par
ticular account. He received word that
the banks books gave him credit for
$3.50. The remaining $296.S0 is gone.
Possibly there are other accounts of q
similar character. The examiner il
looking for them.
Plan Reorganization.
Stockholders in the bank are now
planning to reorganize- They believe
the bank can be placed on its feet and
do a profitable business and the state
banking department is assisting in
bringing about the reorganization PLAN
The banks stockholders are said to be
worth virtually half million dollars
land many Of them have signiaed a
willingness to take stock in the reor-
ganized institution.
| And in the meantime the criminal
appearance docket in the Greenwood
county district court shows that the
state is still looking for President NJ. J.
| Bidwell, charged with classifying state
| r,penfa and vnjsa v,uronriatinp funds