Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-06-30
SAYS /
ARREST IS FRAMEUP
Guy Brent, Taken Into Custody
After Suicide of Banker,
Denies Guilt.
BANK EXAMINERS AT WORK

Clarinda, la, June 29.-(Special
Telegram. THAT the alleged specu-
lations of bookkeeper who had
grown up with the bank from boy
hood so worked on the mind of Har-
vey r. Spry that he became mentally
unbalanced and took his life, is the
explanation being offered here for the
sensational suicide Wednesday of the
vice president of the Clarinda State
bank, on the same day that Spry
killed himself, the bank examiners ar
rived.
The bookkeeper, Guy Brent, Is
years old, soon to be married, is in
the county jail, stoutly denying his
guilt. This is frameup; am be-
ing made the scapegoat of circum-
stances over which | have no con-
troll" he told reporter when the
latter visited him in his sell. Further
than this he would not talk
Wait until the bank examiners get
through and see what the directors
have to say. Then there will be
plenty of time to prove my inno-
cence,' he averred
Letters Are Withheld.
Brents arrest followed the discov-
cry OF tow letters written by the vice
president before he shot himself
These letters are being withheld from
publication by DR.. F. H. Clark, county
coroner, who also refused to hold an
inquest One was addressed to the
bank, telling, it is said, that Brent
was guilty of gularities, and the
other was to his wife, advising her Of
the disposal of certain properties and
explaining his act.
N. H. Carmody and V. w. Miller,
state bank examiners, are at work on
the books, but on account of the alb
sence from the city of the president
and cashier, who are taking their va
cations, it will be at least two days
more before the exact condition of
the institution is known, directors say.
They offer positive assurance, how
ever, that depositors will lose no
money. All of the directors are
wealthy and they say they will per-
sonaly make good any shortage,
should such development occur. The
only shortage so far amounts to about
$4,000.
Rumors of Grain Speculation.
The Clarinda State bank is capital
lied at $4,000, and has surplus
of $25O0O. Rumors here have it that
Mr.. Spry recently lost large sums i'll
wheat operations in the Omaha mar
ket, but this talk is Indignantly de-
MED by his colleagues, who say that
had he been speculating they would
certainly have known it.
Mr.. Spry, at the time of his death,
was president of the School board and
was prominent in church circles. He
was perhaps the most enterprising
figure in Clarinda, and the develop
ment of this city is largely due to his
efforts.
It-might possibly sound strange to
those who did not know him that he
should take his life because of worry
over the acts of another" said c. A.
Lisle, one of the bank directors, who
is also a relative. But that is just
the kind of soul he was. He knew
that irregularities bad occurred in the
bank, and though he was innocent,
sill he was afraid he would be blamed
anyway. The worry was so great
that his reason became unbalanced
Brent Long With Bank.
Young Brent worked up TO SIS a
month position from the rank of Of
flee boy at So a week He had been
with the bank for nine years and this
is the first time he has ever been in
trouble.
Bank officials say Sheriff Whitmore
arrested him because of Mr.. Spry's
letter. They signed no complaint
him, though they declare that his ex-
travagance of the last few months
warrants suspicion. The young man
was soon to be married to Miss Will
mer Rinker, an employe in local
store. She spends her time now at
the county pail, comforting the young
man whom she believe is being
martyred. Brent will have his hear
ing next week.