The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-09
HEAD BOOKKEEPER MONTGOMERY BANK
 IS DECLARED SUICIDE
Was DefauIter, According to Official Statement of Bank President, But Check
 Not Completed
By FRED II. GORMLEY Montgomery Bureau, The Age-Herald 221-2 First National Bank Building

221-2 First National Bank Building
 Montgomery, May S.-(Special)- Randolph Candler, trusted head book keeper of the Exchange National bank, whose body was pulled from the Ala bama river, and who was pronounced q suicide by coroner's jury during the early hours of Sunday morning. was a defaulter to to the bank. according to an official statement made public Sunday night by Michael Cody president.
 No one yet knows the amount of the taining 1t, but careful che ok, which began when the bank closed at noon Sat urday and whicA continued during the time Cander was carefully planning to take his own life and afterwards irito Sunday, has developed the fact that there has been dedication, MT Cody said. The bank is amply covered by bond of $l00O0o on Candler and a sur plus which can take care of any amount which may have been misappropriated.
 Auditors began a check of Candler s books shortly after noon Saturday. About 8 o'clock Candler left the bank, after stating that he had to go up the river for the afternoon. He boarded his own launch and started up the river. Later i'll the day a point was reached where his presence was needed at the bank. A messenger was sent for him, He ob- tained another launch and went up the river In the dark hours of the night Candler's launch was found moored at Rees' ferry, nine miles from Montgom- cry.
 The messenger dio not find Candlcr. He did find a rope thrown into the water with one end attached to the boat. He pulled the rope and fshed Candlsr body to the river. It had been attached to Candlers feet. A bullet hole in the mouth indicated that the man had care fully planned the suicide. fired the pcl- let and toppled into the river.
 A note found in the launch was ad- dressed to Candler's wife. Coroner J. J. Diffly received the report of his death about midnight and Jury which he summoned, after an investigation, rem dered a verdict that he had reached his death by ends of his own planning. | Candler had been familiar figure in Montgomery for several years He had been with the bank throughout his busi- ness career. Two or more years ago ne became interested in agricultural pur- suits and purchased a plantation near Millbrook. Elmore county. He lived there la while, though he retained his position, He lost heavily by the depression of last year. but he continued to live in the same style He owned a launch, an au- tomobile. and beautiful home in Mont gomery. No one suspected other than that he was man who would take a chance. V In his statement announcing defaica- tion, President Cody stated that Candier had the confidence of the bank. but had been regarded as a plunger This is all the information about his business which is available now. Auditors yill continue their work and President Cody an nounced that whatever information IS obtained will be given to the public. lie emphasized the fact that whatever the floss the banks surplus and the bond will cover the defaleation.