Evening star., 1953-10-04
New Market Is Shocked, Can't
Believe Bedhn1 looted Bank
By John V. Horner
Stor Sfoff Correspondent

Sfor Sfoff (oreSponoem
NEW MARKET, Va, Oct. s.
Perhaps not since 1864, when
Union forces tried to rout Con-
federate defenders here in the
Shenandoah Valley, has the
scenic little town of New Market
been shaken as thoroughly as it
was this week.
The 700 residents aWoke few
days ago to learn that their only
bank had been looted of all
cash and the many negotiable
documents secreted in its vault.
To their shock and disbelief,
they heard that the man en-
trusted to run the bank-a citi-
zen thrice honored as mayor
stood charged with bank robbery,
along with another citizen who
sat on the Board of Directors.
The FBI said both men had fed
to Canada.
A week has passed since the
Citizens National Bank was vic
Atimized $103.500. The banker
has come back home and things
are settling down a bit. But, If
business is being conducted on
schedule, it isn't being conducted
"aS usual"
Citizens Bewildered.
There's a noticeable lack of
spirit in town. There's evidence
of strain as citizens ask them
selves, over and over: Why did
this have to happen?
mo one seems to know the
answer" said a businessman.
I'm fact. I'm not sure anybody
really wants to know the an
swer to that question. We'd
rather find out, if we could, how
to help Mr.. Beahm and his fam
lily out of their distress"
According to the FBI, Theo-
dore Roosevelt Beahm, the exec
utive vice president and cashier
of Citizens National, and Don r.
Simpson, a bank director, cleaned
out the vault last Saturday be-
fore departing for Canada. The
FBI said they travelled in the
Simpson automobile. being driven
by the directors nephew, Charles
r. Simpson, 30.
Mr.. Beahm decided to return
here almost Immediately. He
flew back to Washington Monday
and then drove to New Market.
He was quoted by the FBI as
saying, at first. that Don Simp-
son forced him-at gun point
to empty the banks vault. The
agents reported he changed the
story later, admitting that the
money was taken under pre-
conceived plan.
Like a BOmbShell."
While the FBI checked into
the matter. Mr.. Beahm went
back to his desk at the bank. On
Thursday, they placed formal
charges against him. That night
he handed his resignation to j.
v. Bauserman, the banks at
torney. The FBI said Mr.. Beahm
came back without a penny of
the missing loot.
I"I simply cannot understand
IT," Mr.. Bauserman said today.
"There seems to be no eXplana-
ton, whatever" #4
This whole thing comes like
q bombShell into our community "
said Mrs. Edna Olinger, mana
ger of the weekly newspaper. The
Shenandoah Valley. I'VE don't
know why this has happened"
Cant figure it out" COM
mented George Revelle. a res
taurant operator who served on
the Town Council with Mr..
Beahm. II just can't imagine
he'd do a thing like they're say
ing"
Teddy Beahm is genteel,
considerate man." said G. A.
Woods. another former council
man. He was never gruff. He
was always kindly. He was an
aggressive man who attended to
business. I can't figure it out" "
Pastor Also Shocked.
Similar sentiments were echoed
by the Rev. L. A. Wertz, pastor
of Emanuel-St. Matthew Luther
an Church.
"Of course, the charge comes
as a shock to all of u.s." the
minister said. This is a situa-
ton none of us can explain"
Il have always had a very high
regard for Mr.. Beahm. I con-
slider him to be a man of high
moral standing and, as far as I
know. fine family man.
In his former home town,
Luray. he belonged to the Bap-
tist Church. After he moved to
New Market, he began attending
our Lutheran church with his
very fine wife and their fine
daughter. They are among our
most active members. He at
tended the services a great deal
and he was unusually interested
in our Mems Bible Glass.
I'm fact, he has served as
president of the mems class and
he contributed a great deal to it. >
Leader in Community.
Frank NJ O'Roark, operator of
a tourist court, pointed out that
the banker has taken part in nu-
merous community activities
such as the New Market volun-
teer fire department.
He was president of the vol
unteer firemen for a number OF
years" Mr.. O'Roark recalled
"and in 1851 he extended the
welcome to the Northern Virginia
Firemen's Association when they
held a convention here"
Mr. Beahm himself, while re.
fusing to discuss the bank Incl.
dent said. II am interested in the
firemen's work. l served as pres
ident for II years.
II have also been interested
in other civic ventures.
My home was in Luray.
was born and raised there. Whe1
I was old enough to work. go