The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-24
z TRAGEDIES
ARE LINKED BY
BANK PROBERS
Maple Staying Connected
With BoIinger'S Suicide
Attempt.
ADMITS MORE FORGERY
Accused Financier Sets
$4,000 as Total Instead
of $4,000.
ADMITS MORE FORGERY
BY GEORGE SCOFIELD
Times STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SULLIVAN, Ind, Jan. 24.-Stead-
lily nearing a climax in the solu-
ton of Sullivan county's bank
mystery, investigators today estab-
lished definite connection between
the death by shooting of Edgar D.
Maple president of the Peoples
National bank of Sullivan, and the
subsequent alleged suicide attempt
of Jessup F.. Bolinger, president of
the closed First State bank of
Shelburn.
It also was learned today that
Maple had known for some time
that his bank held at least $4,000
in forged notes given it by Bolinger.
The Shelburn bank head is held in
Sullivan county Jail here while state
examiners check books of the bank
Maple was found, a bullet hole
through his forehead, on the floor
of his bank last Wednesday, and d
few hours later Bolinger was
rescued, unconscious, from an at
tempt at suicide.
Under grilling today, Bolinger
gave investigators several startling
new facts which probably will lead
TO the nlystery's solution in the near
future.
Forgery Amount Grows
The amount of Bolinger's bad
paper held by the Sullivan bank
previously had been estimated at
$85, 900, but Bolinger today said it
would total $115.000 or more. He said
he visited Maple, Jan. z, and gave
him his personal note, backed by his
$4,000 insurance policy, to cover
some of the defalcations.
The link between the two events
which robbed the two communities
of trusted and outstanding citizens
and placed the Shelburn bank in
the hands of state examiners and
the towns citizenry in gloom. had its
beginning ten years ago when Bo-
linger made his first misstep in the
handling of funds.
Bolinger, influenced by group of
Sullivan business men and bankers,
including, it is said, Maple, in
vested heavily in Sinlcair oil stocks,
His initial investment totaled nearly
$4,000. The crash in Sinclair Oil
later in the year hit the entire
group heavily and at that time, it is
said, Bolinger forged his first note.
Maple, is is understood, had been
attempting to help Bolinger out of
his difficulties in the last several
weeks.
Death Mystery Remains
Meanwhile, the problem whether
Maple committed suicide or was
murdered E'hich faces investigators
remains unchanged. Several clews
which pointed to murder and an i'm
mediate arrest have been traced
down thoroughly and have proved
futile. The majority of investiga-
tors, however, refuse to turn back to
the original suicide theory.
Possibility of a special grand
jury session to probe the mystery
was seen today as Jesse Bedwell,
county prosecutor, who has been i'll
for several days, prepared to re-
turn to his office. Bedwell is the
only one of the officials who is con-
vinced that Maple was a suicide
victim. Bolinger. pacing his cell in
county jail here, blames what he
terms ''Don's suicide" on himself.
State bank examiners under di-
rection Of K. v. Brownell are speed
ing their work of checking the
Shelburn bank and expect to fin
ish their task Friday.
Business is at a Standstill as the
little town facing financial ruin,
awaits the report of the examiners.