The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-24
CHARGE topeka
MAN WITH BANK
FRAUD OF $1,000
County Attorney Issues War
rant Against r. D. Merritt.
He Was a Former Cashier of
the Grove State Bank.
HAD WORKED IN Topeka
Charged With Writing Worth
less Check on Reserve State.
Merritt Out of City-Wife Re-
fuses to Talk Today.
He Was a Former Cashier of
the Grove State Bank.
HAD WORKED IN Topeka

AuoCb W L dIh 1OudJs
Hugh T. Fisher, county attorney, to-
day issued a warrant charging Ray
mond D. Merritt. former cashier of
the Grove State bank of Grove. Kan.
with embezzlements amounting to
$5.O5O.
In addition, according to Col. Clad
Hamilton, attorney for the bank, there
are other transactions involving ap-
proximately $4,000, which represent
losses resulting from Merritt's transac-
tions But there were other parties
in these transactions. Hamilton stated,
who may have acted in good faith.
Fisher also issued a warrant charg-
ing Merritt with cashing a worthless
check for $500 on the Kansas State
Reserve bank, Topeka.
Employed in Banks Here.
Merritt, 26. born and reared in To-
peka and employed at various times
in the Bank of Topeka, the Central
National bank and the Farm Mortgage
Se Trust company, left Topeka ten days
ago, according to officers. He severed
his connection with the bank in Janu-
ary, officers stated, and since that time
has lived with his wife at the home of
his father-in-law, w. A. Granteer, Ala
Harrison street
At the Granteer home this morning.
Nrs| Granteer refused to discuss the
case.
Time alone will tell whether he is
guilty or innocent" she said. IAN
statements must come from his attor-
ney, Ed Rooney"
Claims Client Is Innocent.
Rooney today declared Merritt was
absolutely innocent of the charges and
had been bilked into honoring worth
less notes by alleged fictitious persons.
vii he
Rooney. 'All I can say at this time
is that he is away on business"
The embezzlement warrant contains
four counts. representing the alleged
defalcations of S5.05O.
The first court" said Colonel Ham
ilton. the banks attorney, is based on
Frank Thompson note signed Sep
tember 25 by Frank Thompson. whom
no one seems to know. - was for
s1.40O.
The second count is based on
similar mysterious note for $500
signed by Mike McMurphy. The third
is a note signed by Merritt himself
for $1,000 and the fourth is for a
charge of $500 placed against W. E.
Simmons on January 9. 1890. That
sa me day the banks book shows that
Merritt's account was credited with
S425 and his wife's account with $25-
Claims He Acted in Good Faith.
These charges were filed after the
j. +. Cation, an expert accountant"
Rooney declared today that Merritt
acted in good faith in cashing the
Thompson and McMurphy notes.
Thompson, Rooney asserted. told Mer-
ritt he was a wealthy cattleman living
near Elmont. McMurphy. Rooney af-
firmed, assured Merritt he was a re-
sponsible farmer living on the Indian
reservation.
LAS for the other two counts I can
nt NJ
Colonel Hamilton said he had spent
ten days endeavoring to locate Thomp-
son and McMurphy without success
The bank directors first became Sus-
picious a meeting held in January
and employed Cation to make an audit.
The audit was completed early this
month. Colonel Hamilton stated.
Meantime. Merritt severed his connec-
tion with the bank.
Wife Worked Mt Store Hero.
Recently Merritt's wife has been
working in the millinery department
at Peletier's store. She was not work
ing today. it was stated at the store.
] Newell Abrahams is the local rep
reSentative of the bonding company
which the stockholders assert must
pay the shortages.
Officers today admitted they were
at present at a loss to explain what
Merritt did with the money if the
charges that he took ii are true. Ru-
mors of wild days in Kansas City and
of speculation are current but SO far.
officers admitted. they have not been
substantiated.
Rooney asserted the alleged bad
check passed on the Kansas Reserve
State bank was good at the time it
was written
Merritt had the money in the bank
on January 13, when the check was
cashed," said Rooney. But the check
was held up in the Grove bank to
protect check held by J. p. Slaugh-
ter for a like amount. Slaughter is
one of the stock holders.
Since that time the Topeka bank
has attached an automobile which We
claim was purchased by Merritt's
wife"
Was StOCkholdcr in Bank.
The Grove bank received a charter
in August. Merritt purchased thirty
shares of the stock. The capital stock
was $4,000 with $1,000 surplus.
I'VE have learned since" said Colo
mel Hamilton. that he borrowed the
5000 odd dollars to purchase the
stock from the Midwest National bank
of Kansas City
The stockholders of the Grove bank
are: Thomas G. Howell. president
d. T. Gabriel, H. Collingwood. j
p Slaughter. H. H. Olden. Charles j
Stewart. B. o. Smith. .. f. Humbert
I. NJ. Hofrnann, Harry P. Tibbs, Ear
Tibbs. C L. Tibbs. James Maurer, NJ
Bailey, w G. Smiley, r. d. Merritt
oliver Lewis, c. NJ. Mcpherson anc
H. C. Frese
Steal Wine From Catholic Church.
Hanover. Kan, Feb. %. - Thieves
tore a door from the~hingeS and stole