Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-14
VERMONT BANKER
INDICTED BY THE
j. 5. GRAND JURY
George C. Averill, Is Years Pres.
ident of National Bank. Brat
tleborO, Accused of Fal.
styling Entries.

Brattleboro, Oct 11.-George c. Averill,
who resigned the presidency Of the Yer
mont National bank of Bratteboro, the
oldest banking institution in the town
and ono of the strongest in the State,
on My 10. was arrested this morning in
his home by United States Marshal
Arthur P. Carpenter of Brattleboro.
The warrant charges violation OF the
federal statutes relative to making false
entries with the intent to deceive. 1t was
Issued following an indictment returned
by the federal grand Jury in Rutland
Saturday.
Mr.. Averill went to st. Johnsbury 70
furnish bail before Judge Harland r..
Howe for his appearance at the adjourned
session of the federal court to be held
In Rutland November 90 William II.
Proctor and George l. Durham will be-
come surety.
There is no charge OF misuse OF misap-
preparation Of funds brought against Mr.
Averill. In statement issued from tho
office of Clarke c. Fits. counsel for Mr.
Averill. it is stated that any claimed err
rors or Measurements in the reports to
the comptroller are not matters which have
been concealed in any way from govern
ment officials and that Mr. Averili's
methods Of handling the affairs of the
bank have been known to the government
officials of previous administrations
United States District Attorney y. A.
Billiard Of Burlington said to-day that the
government made no claim that the Sc
curity OF the bank has been in any way
impaired or the depostors ENDANGERED at
any time by anything that Mr.. Averill has
ever done
The statement from the office Of Mr..
Averill's counsel in full. follows:
There is absolutely no charge or
claim that Mr.. Averill has ever apnro-
priatel or taken or msused n single
dollar Of the banks funds. The bank
Is one of the strongest in Vermont. and
one of the strongest in the country and
has grown immensely under his admin
ls'ration. Mr.. Averills methods Of
handling the affairs Of the bank have
oeen known to the government officials
IN previous administrations. but they arc
not approved by the present officials
ana the indictment is based on their
views or the duties of bank officers.
1T Is purely technical in that thero
Is no claim OF misrepresentation in anv
way. or that the bark or anvone has
ever lost dollar. Any claimed errors
or mis-statements in the reports to tho
controller are not matters which have
been concealed at all from government
officials. as it has all been plain on
the books Of the bank.
Mr.. Averill and his friends court
the fullest inquiry into his manage
ment and are ready now ana at anv
he ~
CURED"
II mas peen known to bank officials
Tor some time that National Bank EN-
aminer Kelleher had not been satisfied
with the methods of Mr.. Averill and
the fact that the matter had been pre-
scented to the federal grand turv had
neen known to Mr.. Avorill and his
friends. 1t was, therefore, no sur
prise to Mr. Averill this morning when
Marshal Carpenter appeared at his
nome although he may not have
known that the indictment had been
found.
BESIDES his connection with tho Yer
mont National bank Averill held for
years many other positions of trust. lie
Is an incorporation Of the Vermont Saw
lngs bank and Of the Brattleboro Savings
paih he Is treasurer and trustee of the
Brattlebo~ Home for the Aged and
Disabled. Of the Brooks library building
and the Austine institution. trustee
OF the Brattleboro Retreat and a direc-
tor Of the Connecticut Valley Street Rail-
way Co. He has been for years treasurer
of Windham county and of the incor-
pornted school district Of Brattleboro. He
recently resigned as treasurer and chair
man Of the trustees Of the Center Con-
Eregational Church. He Is a Mason and
an Odd Fellow.
$4,000 BAIL FURNISHED.
st. Johnsbury. Oct 11-George c.
Averill Of Brattlcboro. former president
Of the Vermont National bank. who is
accused Of violation of irrational banking
act was admitted to bali in the amount
of $4,000 before Judge Harland 3. Howe
1t was furnished by William H. Proctor
OF Rrattlehoro. The case will probablv
be taken up in the February term of the
United States district court at Mont
pelicr, /
RAILROAD CASH cu-rurr ~,