The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-07

six indictments against him. 49,.
Evidence presented to the federal
grand jury at Fort Scott this week is
said to have revealed one of the most
glazing bank defalcations in the his
tory of the state. Ricker's operations
| are said 70 have revealed thousands
| of dollars worth of forged paper and
the classifying of reports to the comp
troller Of the currency during the few
months preceding the closing of the
bank in December, 1913. A warrant
for Ricker's arrest was issued a short
of the institution. But before the
warrant was served, Kicker left Yates
Center in an automobile. He was new
er found.
Likely Be Other Arrests.
In the six indictments against Rick
er, the bank president is charged with
embezzlement, classifying statements to
the comptroller. misapplication of
funds, the use of forged paper for his
own private gain and aiding in misap-
ment has led to the general belief that
other arrests are to be made in con-
nection with the case and that Rick
er's alleged accomplices are to be
rests had been made in the case late
| this afternoon, no information con-
corning further action in the case is
given by government officials.
Kicker Not In U. s.
1t is not believed that Kicker is in
| the United States at this time. Since
last December the government has
been looking for the Yates Center
banker, whose defalcations are said to
reach thousands of dollars. Govern
:nent officials now believe that Kicker
will be arrested and returned to Kan
ras for trial. 1t is even rumored that
the government soon expects to end
| its long man hunt by reporting Rick
| er's arrest and extradition to the
United States. Any information
| which the government may have,
however, is being carefully safeguard
ed and SO far as any news that the
federal department will give, Kicker
may be in Woodson county or in the
wilds of Africa.
At the time the Yates Center Ma
| tional closed it's doors, it carried de-
l.Csits amounting to 100000. Its La
| bilities were given at about $3.50, 900.
Charges made by the government are
| to the effect that Kicker not only
| forged notes and embezzled the funds
of the institution, but falsifed the
books, records and statements of the
| bank. Kicker and members of his i'm
mediate family are said to have owed
the bank more than $4,000 at the
| time of the failure. After the bank
| closed, Kicker assigned his home ard
other property
| Story Of His DcfalcatiOns.
| Evidence in possession of the gov
| eminent is to the effect that Kicker
adopted the "kiting' system and Sc
| cured a chain of loans from CORE
spondent banks through the floating
| CT worthless notes. Not only did
Kicker himself secure heavy loans
from the bank, but loans were made
| to members of his household. To
ex ade suspicion, Ricker's notes bore
such signatures AS c. Gordon Kicker
&c. Gordon, Charles Gordon, c. q.
Kicker, Charles G. Ricker-each
name purporting to be the signature
of a different person. Many notes in
the bank are said to have been signed
by Ricker's wife, and by Ricker's son,
who lived on a stock ranch in Idaho.
Excessive loans were made to
Thomas c. Ryan and w. c. Taedman
of Yates Center and it is claimed that
much of this paper is not only worth
less, but held by the Woodson county
banker as fake collateral to cover
shortages. On one occasion. Kicker
went to Kansas City with Ryan. where
he endorsed Ryan's note for $4,000 at
a bank. The paper is said to be worth
less and the loan was made by the
Kansas City bank ON the representa-
man whose request for loan was
larger than the Yates Center bank was
able to handle at the particular time.
Many other glaring instances of en-
bezzlement are charged by the govern
lment in the case against the bank pres
lident and will be offered in evidence
in event Kicker is arrested.
Should Kicker be apprehended, his
minimum bond under the charges