The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1921-11-10
UNION STATE BANK
CLOSED BY DIRECTORS.
Steal of $4,000 BY Forger wienss
and Resultant Depression
Cause Commissioner
Take Charge.-May
Reorganize.

The Union State Bank, which
has been one of the great local
institutions most active in the up
building of this country during
the past twelve years. closed its
doors yesterday morning.
This action was taken by the
board of directors after am all
night s session on Tuesday night,
in consultation with w. T. Trip
lett, vice-president of the Spo-
kane & Eastern Trust Co. of Spo-
kane, and +. M. Erhardt, presi-
dent of the Empire National
Bank, of Lewiston.
The direct cause of the closing
of its doors was the forgeries and
abstraction of funds by former
Cashier Wienss, who as stated in
the last issue of the Herald, was
arrested at Kettle Falls, Wash
ington and made his escape from
Sheriff Smith at Spokane, while
being brought back to Lewis
County. The total amount of
forgeries committed by Wienss
was $4,000 and the distractions
amounted to a little more than
$40, 900. This heavy loss, aided
by rumors that the bank was in
financial difficulties, resulting in
the heavy Withdrawals of the de-
posits, made it necessary to close
its doors.
The manipulations carried on by
Wienss have extended back for
period Of more than year, and
may have been longer. His sys-
TEN was to forge the names Of
some Of the good men of this Sec
ton to notes and send the notes
to some outside bank, with the
endorsement of the bank here,
get credit for the amount of the
note from the other bank and APP
propliate the proceeds to his own
use.
Ernst Wienss came here about
eight years ago from Spokane,
where he had for number of
years been one Of the officers Of
the Spokane & Eastern Trust
Co, and prior to that time had
been in other business in that
city. When he first went to
Spokane he served for two years
as German vice-consul and gain
ed a wide acquaintance. lie was
man of more than ordinary alb
ility.
Immediately following the fin
al action Of the board of direc-
tors in closing the bank, they
wired the state bank examiner of
their action and he will no doub%
be here or send an assistant with
in Il very few days to take charge.
AS to just what steps will be
taken bv the examiner when he
arrives it is not yet known, but
receiver may be appointed to
take charge Of the institution. No
definite statement has been made
nor can be made by any one un-
til after the arrival of the exam
iner, but it is believed that the
depositors will lose but little by
the closing of the doors, although
it will be several months before
the business is finatlly wound up.
The closing of this bank is the
greatest shock and the most sew
ere blow this community has ever
experienced, but already talk of
a reorganization is rife from var
ious sources, and a hopeful feel
ing is prevalent that some plan
will be devised whereby its doors
may soon be opened again.
The late hours of the all-night
conference of the directors be-
fore the fateful decision was
reached witnessed dramatic
scenes whose tragic tinge brought
tears to the eyes of strong mell-
men who forfeited the savings Of
= life time to save the situation.
The eight directors, most OF
whom had been on the board
since the organization of the
)ank, gave their assent to the
losing order with greatest re-
uctance, and finally agreed OH
Y when there was no other course
o pursue. For them it was al
most unbearable to see the clos
ng of this institution, which had
,een a credit to them and this sec
ion of the prairie and in whose
Ipbuilding and success they gave
generously of the best that was
n them.
The directors are C. w. Booth,
j. r. Dunham, vice
X. G. Osterhout, A. F.
Iarbke, w. f. johnson, c. F.
r. b. Stigum and f. Fl.
Nafarc