Article Text
TWO BANKS IN STAFFORD WIPED OUT BY A YOUNG NAPOLEON. Cashier Hicks's Astonishing Career of Wild Speculation with Creekedness-WI Everybody Else's Meney-Navings of the PoorSwept Away-Arrested Balled. NORWICH, Oct. 12.-The evening train brought to this city Richard S. Hicks, cashier of the Stafford Springs National Bank, under arrest and charged with embezzling $80,000 from the bank. Mr. Hicks came in company with District Attorney Stanton of Hartford: United States Marshal N. D. Bates of Preston, who made the arrest: Alvin P. Hyde. his counsel. from Hartford: Rateliff Hicks, his brother. New Merrick Stafford of York: M. Marcy of Springs: a State Senator and contractor for and Hicks's State Mr. state# the wife. prison. lady dressed in black, who pluckily faced the music order to be with her husband and help him through. The party were driven from the railroad station to United States Commissioner Col. Allen Tenny's office on Mr.in street, and crowd followed them. It was not known in this city, even in bankmg circles, until o'clock this afternoon that there was trouble in the Stafford Springs National Bank. but before the party had reached Commissioner's office the news were There through town. clusters flown had of banking men on every corner discussing the report. At Col. Tenny's office the Stafford Springs party hastily alighted. but they were not quick enough to escape walking through line people that reached into the middle of the street. Mr. Hicks, who is a young man, but and the and for careworn looked weary, aiding arm of his wife he would have fallen on The the to office. leading steps long the du hearing before Col. Tenny was short one. The Commissioner did not attempt to into the details of the embezziement, but was satisfied to take the account of Attorney Stanton for general evidence. Mr. Stanton said that he was by telegraph from directors of the Stafford Springs Bank at late hour last night and make that come without place delay. an examination into the bank's financial condition. hurried t city night too late to Commissioner this morning went Stafford Springs, accompan led United States MarBates, whom he notified be readiIt is apparent District Attorney's story that Cashier Hicks awaiting wasin the and his party to come Norwich. Hicks. who much excited, did not deny on the train fessed but that against acusation there was shortage bank accounts than less which not of he 000 or or $75,000. He was responsible. pale, nervous, and no Stanton therefore presented his indicthim charged against prisoner. with and embezzlement makwith specifically false entries on his was the detailed into history prepared from what let fall private conidea may general afterward gleaned of Cashier Hicks's perform ances performances For the past eight or ten years licks Hicks has has been one wildest speculators Maine country, He Texas, dealt railroad stock worj produce, and especially cotton. handled millions money without the knowlthe bank. the illegitimate speculation. He was thoroughly reckless. less, and wonder is among bank men that he stemmed current long. books his glimpse at gained who largest numthey that they are say entries that that they ever on pages of banking book. District Attorney Stanton did not say all this, but his testimony the evidence to thoroughly fection merely roborate it. simplicity. Hicks's method was filled perbooks with spurious entries crediting with principal false in the deposits cities of the country. would put down deposit of $10,000 Bank Boston the Redemption without sending dollar to $15,000 to any num number of banks New ork and else- and elsefunds of bank use the then own and where, speculate in railroad stocks or his favorite bank of the The investment. directors cotton. always found his accounts strictly accurate, and when they read over figures they often prided themselves amount of thei their deposits outside banking institutions for a a little country bank in small whose village, capital was only $100,000. They were led think that they had the smartest cashier country. and then teller, Mr.Haragainst would wood, run drawing by on snag spurious deposits in outside banks, National Bank that the word Stafford getting but Mr. Hicks was money always there, ready with smiling face to explain away Often, advance in discovery discrepancy. ne was able to partially make good the with on keep cotton speculaficiency tions. Hicks was no means ways lucky in his speculations. Generally he was uccessful for many years. and it estimated that he has turned over his cotton dealings dollars. million than less Everybody Stafford knew that he was handling thousands, knew that was shrewdness, and everybody who had a dollar invest took to Cashier Hicks, and looked for big dividends. So generally recognized the cashier's reputation making five onethatthe brought excesso dollarsfor to him for investment compelled him money brou within the last six months refuse hanof die dollars thousands villagers others from all parts Tolland and /indham counties brought to to him. The cashier, whenever came in. set it spinning after ter cotton. and all had cover over the pages the bank books bank to some was to record spurious loan somewhere between Nova Scotia and CaliforState Inall the Bank Examiner of the and bank the nothof directors saw suspicious in his figures. Bank Examiner from Mygatt. was now the office, deposed man who The for went accounts over years. man who first traces sus19 piclous accounts the acting present examIner for State, thorough bank man. that suspected and notified was . not right snoting director. of, Mr. Hicks's work, which is gathered from Stanton's and outside sources that are reliable. shows scheme of rascality on the part of the operator as stupendous novel. close District Attorney's meagre evidence, Commissioner Tenny stated go any further into the history case. and postponed the liminary amination Oct. 24 Mr. for bonds and $40,000 Hicks at Hicks's party responded this large amount with Rateliff the Hicks, prisalacrity. oner's brother and Merrick Marcy of Stafboth ualified in wealthy amount. left After this formality the cashier and his party office the pure went Commissioner's Hartford pueds at hotel. popular night the Mr. Hicks has own way way in Stafford Springs for the past eighteen years. public enterprise was ever undertaken without approval not full full control e national bank. Stafford Springs Savings Bank. of which Secretary and Treasurer, was practically in his The capital the savings bank is $75,000. and invested the national bank stock. broken. the Both banks are therefore the defalca- completely savings through bank tion ple had from national. Hundreds poor peobank. all their the savings savings and believed they will realize a dollar n-law. accredited Ives. George out of father-in them. father-in-law. the same time Hicks's with the possession a million dollars, and reported that proposes make good his son-in-law's deficit. Mr. ves facturer been a successful cotton manufor and he port Cashier Hicks many been years, the life and supthis city Stafford. Banking the belief avow the belief that Hicks had men been success$80,000 and that his deficit $75,000 dates few months from past. in Tolland village years He was born in a rural county. eH went the Tolland Bank as as teller. and while in that the cashier institution. George astings. Hastings defaulted in the sum $80,000. not his prosecuted, backers in made the amount, and now a sucteen cessful business man Hicks of York city. Eighwas ONE tears called to cashier the Stafford Springs and Bank. that since he has used He to his advantage. most influential man in the village. was was Treasurer and Correspond Secretary the Stafford Agricultural Fair Society. whose exhibition now on. and Gov. Lounsbury his guest during show. The Governor was about meet him at Stafford Springs when Hicks was arrested. Springs Hicks is member the Stafford and Episcopal Church prominent Sunday school, was free and easy fellow, and fond horse racing. many riends turfmen in this this city city and county. a slimly built, wiry man. with smooth wife excepting light brown moustache. His refined lady. State. the most exclusive social circles in
