3701. Central Trust & Savings Bank (Chicago, IL)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
August 2, 1892
Location
Chicago, Illinois (41.850, -87.650)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
dd8becce0731f032

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporary articles (Aug 2–3, 1892) report that the paying teller George Bartels absconded with $3,000 and that a circle of check-kiting/forgery dumped fraudulent paper on the Central Trust & Savings Bank, producing a shortage (nearly $50,000) that was subsequently made good by guarantors. There is no mention of a suspension, receivership, or permanent closure; conspirators were arrested and the shortage was coveredβ€”so this is classified as a run_only episode driven by bank-specific fraud/embezzlement. Corrected OCR names (Bartels sometimes rendered Vartels/Vartel) and dates inferred from article datelines (Aug 2–3, 1892).

Events (1)

1. August 2, 1892 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Collusion between paying teller George Bartels and conspirators from the Chicago Bank Note Company who deposited fraudulent checks/drafts (check-kiting) and drew out cash; internal embezzlement and forgery produced the shortage.
Measures
Teller discharged and fled; guarantors (wealthy sureties) reimbursed the bank for the shortage; conspirators arrested; application for receiver for the banknote concern (not the bank) noted.
Newspaper Excerpt
The discharge of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, and his subsequent flight with $3,000 of the firm's cash has unearthed a gigantic conspiracy ... By collusion with Bartels the great run of the paper was dumped on the Central Trust and Savings bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

Article from Grand Rapids Herald, August 3, 1892

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Article Text

HAD A BOLD SCHEME To Rob Several Banks in Chicago. HOW FORGERS WERE NIPPED In a Well-Devised Plan to Defraud Un. suspecting Bank Officials-How It Was Foiled. CHICAGO, Aug. 2.-The discharge of George Bartela, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, and his subsequent flight with $3,000 of the firm's cash has unearthed a gigantic conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. The scheme was partially successful. and over $50,000 was secured from Bartel's former employer, but was made good by reputable men who had vouched for the integrity and business ability of young men who engaged in the deal. Another bank 18 said to have lost $20,000, which amount was also made good by the same security. Three of the men formerly connected with the Chicago Bank Note company have been arrested, charged with conspiracy to defraud and the issuance of fraudulent paper. These men are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside and Charles M. Anson. George Bartels, the fourth man who is wanted, has left the country. Charles Nichols, a go-between, has made affidavit exposing the whole scheme as far as it is known to him. The plot is the most ingenious ever nipped in the financial arena of this city. The plan was simple. Plan of the Operators. Forbes was manager of the Chicago Bank Note company; Burnside, a son of a well known physician, was associated with Forbes, and Anson was but an employe of the firm. These young men were vouched for by Gen. Allen C. Fuller and numerousmen of wealth and financial standing. They opened accounts with the Central Trust and Savings bank. the Globe National bank. First the State Bank of Chicago, the National bank and the Milwaukee Avenue State bank. Immediately they deposited checks, which have since been found to be fraudulent, and later drew out the cash. By collusion with Bartels the great run of the paper was dumped on the Central Trust Savinge bank. The system that was developed was the work of months. The teller, in the absence of the cashier. certified all papers and the forged drafts,checks, etc., were only deposited when the higher officials of the banks were out. Made the Banks Good. The same system was played on the Globe National. although Vice President Stone was not in the city today to affirm or deny the statement. It is now learned that the plotters intended to pull all the banks they had deposited money with into their net and then break up and clear out. However that may be the paper came to protest too soon to admit of more extended fro and the ring was brought up with a round turn. The amount the Central Trust and Savings bank found itself short was nearly $50,000. The bank had taken every precaution to for to accept from their customers early in game. secure officials been papers suspicious compelled themselves the while the they they forged When were had the end came Allen C. Fuller, who is reported to be worth over $10,000,000, and Dr. Burnside, his brother-in-law. both of whom had implicit confidence in the young men, paid all the shortage and none of the banks is out one cent


Article from The Helena Independent, August 3, 1892

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Article Text

ROBBED THE BANK. Successful Conspiracy of Several Young Men of Chicago. CHICAGO, Aug. 2.-The flight of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, with $3,000 of the bank's Cash, has unearthed what seems to have been an extensive conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. The scheme was partially successful and over $50,000 was B oured from Bartels' employers, but has since been made good. Another bank is said to have lost $20,000, which amount was also made good. Three men formerly connected with the Chicago Bank Note company have been arrested charged with conspiracy to defraud. They are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside and Chas. N. Anson. Bartels was the fourth man wanted. Ube preliminary hearing is set for Thursday. Charles Nichols, go-between, has made an affidavit purporting to expose the whole scheme. An application for a receiver for the concern had been filed by the former president of the company. This instrument throws light upon the methods used. Forbes was manager of the Chicago Bank Note company. I Burnside, son of a well known physician, was associated with Forbes. Anson was an employe of the firm. The young men had been vouched for by numerous men of wealth and finaneial influence, and on the strength of this opened accounts with the Central Trust Savings bank. Globe National bank, State Bank of Chicago, the First National bank, and the Milwaukee Avenue State bank. Immediately they deposited checks, drafts, etc., which have since been found to be fraudulent, and later drew out cash. By collusion with Teller Bartels a great run of this paper was dumped on the Central Trust Savings bank. It is said the plotters intended to puil all the banks they had money deposited with into their net and then break up and clear out. But the papers came to protest too soon. Bartels disarmed suspicion by ingeniously warning the bank officials that he was suspieious that the note company was "kiting," and suggesting that a general guarantee of transactions be secured from wealthy Dr. Burnside.


Article from Rock Island Daily Argus, August 3, 1892

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PLOTTED ROBBERY. Young Chicagoans Who Were Ambitious in Villainy. AN EXTENSIVE PLAN OF RASCALITY Half of Dozen Banks to Have Been Robbed by an Ingenious System of Stealing-About $30,000, Perhaps $70,000, Obtained Before Discovery-The Boss Rascal Gets Away and Wealthy Men Who Had Vouched for the Honesty of the Scoundrels Foot the Bill. CHICAGO, Aug. 3.-The discharge of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, and his subsequent flight with $3,000 of the firm's cash, has unearthed a gigantic conspiracy to defrand five Chicago banks. Thescheme was partly successful and over $50,000 was secured from Bartel's former employers, but was made good by reputable men who had vouched for the integrity and business ability of the young men who had engaged in the deal. Another bank is said to have lost $20,000, which amount was also made good by the same security. Three Conspirators Arrested. Three of the men formerly connected with the Chicago Bank Note company have been arrested charged with conspiracy to defraud and the issuance of fraudulent paper. These men are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside and Charles M. Anson. George Bartels, the fourth man who is wanted, has left the country. Charles Nichols, a go-between, has made affidavit exposing the whole scheme as far as it is known to him. The plot is the most ingenious ever nipped in the financial arena of this city. And yet it was simple. Forbes was manager of the Chicago Bank Note company; Burnside, a son of a well known physician, was associated with Forbes, Anson was an employe of the firm. Vouched For by First-Class Men. These young men were vouched for by General Allen C. Fuller and numerous men of wealth and financial influence. They opened accounts with the Central Trust and Savings bank, the Globe National bank, the State Bank of Chicago, the First National bank and the Milwaukee Avenue State bank. Immediately they deposited checks, drafts, etc.-which have since been found to be fraudulentand later drew out the cash. By collusion with Bartels the great run of the paper was dumped on the Central Trust Savings bank. Couldn't Play Their Game Out. The system that was developed was the work of months. The teller, in the absence of the cashier, certified all paper, and the forged drafts, checks, etc., were only deposited when the higher officials of the bank were out. The same system was played on the Globe National, it is said, although Vice President Stone was not in the city yesterday to affirm or deny the statement. It is now learned that the plotters intended to pull all the banks they had deposited money with into their net and then break up and clear out. However that may be the paper came to protest too soon to admit of more extended fraud, and the ring was brought up with around turn.


Article from Pawtucket Tribune, August 3, 1892

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A NEST OF THIEVES. They Enjoyed High Old Times at the Expense of Chicago Banks. Flight of One of the Implicated Officials With $3,000. CHICAGO, Ang. 3.-The flight of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, with $3000 of the bank's eash, has brought to light an apparent conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. Over $50,000 was secured from Bareel's former employers, but has since been made good. Another bank is said to have lost $20,000, which was also made good. Three men, formerly connected with the Chicago Bank Note company, have been arrested, charged with conspiracy to defraud and the issuance of fraudulent papers. These are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside and Charles Manson. Bartels was the fourth man wanted. Charles Nichols, a go-between, has made affidavit which purports to expose the scheme. Burnside is the son of a well-known physic cian. Forbes and Manson were vouched for by General Allen C. Fuller and numerous men of wealth, who appear to have trusted them, owing to their connection with Burnside. They opened accounts with five banks,* deposited fraudulent checks, drafts, etc., and later drew out the cash. By collusion with Bartels, the great run of the paper was dumped in the Central Trust and Savings bank. Nichols says the conspirators wined, dined and clothed Bartets, besides paying the expenses of the teller and his friends nightly at houses of ill-fame.


Article from Morning Journal and Courier, August 3, 1892

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NEWS- BY TELEGRAPH. From All Quarters. A MAMMOTH CONSPIRACY Several Chicago Banks are Defrauded. CYRUS W. FIELD'S WILL PROBATED. Iron Hall Affairs Still in a Muddle. THE MILE BICYCLE RECORD BROKEN. Statement from a Housatonic Director. A HUGE CONSPIRACY To Defraud Chicago Banks-The Embezzlers Wined and Dined Off the Ill-Gotten Gains-Three Men Arrested-They Were Implicitly TrustedA Go-Between Makes the Exposures. CHICAGO, Ang. 2.-The flight of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, with $3,000 of the bank's cash has brought to light an apparent conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. Over $50,000 was secured from Bartels' former employers, but has since been made good. Another bank is said to have lost $20,000, which was also made good. Three men, formerly connected with the Chicago Banknote company, have been arrested, charged with conspiracy to defraud and the issuance of fraudulent paper. These are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside and Charles Manson. Bartels was the fourth man wanted. Charles Nichols, a go-between, has made affidavit which purports to expose the scheme. Forbes and Manson were vouched for by General A. C. Fuller and men of wealth, who appear to have trusted them, owing to their connection with Burnside. They opened accounts with five banks, deposited fraudulent checks, drafts, etc., and later drew out the cash. By collusion with Bartels the great run of the paper was dumped on the Central Trust and Savings bank. Nichols says the conspirators wined, dined and clothed Bartels, beside paying the expenses of the teller and friends nightly at houses of illfame.


Article from The Sun, August 3, 1892

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CONSPIRED TO ROB BANKS. The Timely Discovery of a Hand of Young Swindlers in Chicago. CHICAGO. Aug. 2.-The dishonorable discharge of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings Bank. and his subsequent flight with $3,000 of the firm's cash have unearthed a gigantic conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. The scheme was partly successful and nearly $50,000 was secured from Bartel's former employers. but was made good by the men who guaranteed the firm's accounts. William A. Forbes. N. W. Burnside. and Charles M. Anson. formerly of the Chicago Bank Note Company. have been arrested charged with conspiracy to defraud and with issuance of fraudulent paper. The firm followed the old dodge of kiting checks, and Bartels was in league with them. Charles Nichols. a go-between. exposed the scheme. By collusion with Bartels the great run of paper was dumped on his bank. The system was simple. The teller. in the absence of the cashier, certified all paper. and the forged drafts and checks were only deposited when the higher officials of the bank were out. The plotters intended to pullall the banks they had deposit money with into their net. and then break up and clear out. The paper was protested. however. too soon to admit of more extended fraud. and the ring was brought up with it round turn.


Article from Evening Star, August 3, 1892

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DEFRAUDED CHICAGO BANKS. Three Men Charged With Conspiracy-Over $500,000 Secured, but Restored. The flight of George Bartels. paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings Bank of Chicago, with the comparatively insignificant sum of $3,000 of the bank's cash, has unearthed what seems to have been an extensive conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. The scheme was partly successful and over $500,000 was secured from Bartel's former employers, but has since been made good. Another bank is said to have lost $20.000, which amount was also made good. Three men formerly connected with the Chicago Banknote Company have been arrested, charged with conspiracy to defraud and the issuance of fraudulent paper. These are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside and Charles Manson. Bartels was the fourth man wanted. The preliminary hearing is set for Thursday. Charles Nichols, a go-between, has made aftidavit which purports to expose the whole scheme. A bill in chancery asking for the appointment of a receiver for the bank note concern, filed by John B. Gribles, former president of the company, also throws light upon the methods used. Forbes was manager of the Chicago Banknote Company. Burnside, a son of a wellknown physician, was associated with Forbes. Manson was but an employe of the firm. These young men were vouched for by Gen. Allen C. Fuller and numerous men of wealth and financial influence, who appear to have trusted them fully, owing to their connection with young Burnside. They opened accounts with the Central Trust and Savings Bank, the Globe National Bank, the State Bank of Chicago, First National Bank and the Milwaukee Avenue State Bank. Immediately they deposited checks, drafts, &e., which have since been found to be fraudulent, and later drew out the cash. By collusion with Bartels the great run on the paper was dumped on the Central Trust and Savings Bank. The teller, in the absence of the cashier, certified all paper, and the forged drafts, checks, &c., were only deposited when the higher officials of the bank were out. It is said that the plotters intended to pull all the banks they had deposited money with into their net and then break up and clear out, but the paper came to protest too soon. According to Nichols' affidavit, the conspirators systematically wined, dined and clothed Bartels, besides paying the expenses of the teller and his friends nightly at sporting resorts. Bartels disarmed suspicion by ingeniously warning the bank officials that he was suspicious the note company was "kiting" and suggesting that a general guarantee of all transactions be secured from wealthy Dr. Burnside.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 4, 1892

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CHECK-KITING IN CHICAGO. Three Swindlers Operate in Connection With the Paying Teller of a Bank. Chicago, Aug. 3.-The flight of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, with $3,000 of the bank's cash, has unearthed what seems to have been an extensive conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. The scheme was partially successful, and over $50,000 was secured for Bartels' employers, but has since been made good. Another bank is said to have lost $20,000, which amount has also been made good. Three men formerly connected with the Chicago Bank Note Company have been arrested, charged with conspiracy to defraud. These are William A. Forbes, N. A. Burnside and Charles Anson. Bartels was the fourth man wanted. The preliminary hearing has been set for Thursday. Charles Nichols, the gobetween, has made an affidavit purporting to expose the whole scheme. Application for a receiver for the concern has been filed by the former president of the company. This instrument throws light upon the methods used. Forbes was the manager of the Chicago Bank Note Company, Burnside is the son of a well known physician associated with Forbes, and Anson was an employe of the firm. The young men here have been vouched for by numerous men of wealth and financial influence, and on the strength of this opened accounts with the Central Trust Savings bank, the Globe National Bank, State Bank, Chicago First National and Milwauke Avenue State Bank. Immediately they deposited checks, drafts, etc., which have since been found to be fraudulent and later drew out the cash. By collusion with Teller Bartels, a great run of paper was dumped on the Central Trust Savings bank. It is said the plotters intended to puil all the banks they had money deposited with into their net, and then break up and clear out. But the papers came to protest too soon. Bartels disarmed suspicion by ingeniously warning the bank officials that he was suspicious that the note company was "kiting," and suggesting that a general guarantee of the transactions be secured from the wealthy Dr. Burnside.


Article from The Enterprise, August 10, 1892

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GIGANTIC CONSPIRACY to Defraud Five Chicago Banks Unearthed -Over $50,000 Secured Which is Made Good by Sureties. CHICAGO, Aug. 3.-The discharge of George Bartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings bank, and his subsequent flight with $3,000 of the firm's cash, has unearthed a gigantic conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. The scheme was partly successful and over $50,000 was secured from Bartels' former employers, but was made good by reputable men who had vouched for the integrity and business ability of the young men who had engaged in the deal. Another bank is said to have lost $20,000, which amount was also made good by the same security. Three of the men formerly connected with the Chicago Bank Note Company have been arrested charged with conspiracy to defraud and the issuance of fraudulent paper. These men are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside and Charles M. Anson. George Bartels, the fourth man who is wanted, has left the country. Charles Nichols, a go-between, has made affidavit exposing the whole scheme as far as it is known to him. The plot is the most ingenius ever nipped in the financial arena of this city. The plan was simple. Forbes was manager of the Chicago Bank Note Company. Burnside, a son of a wellknown physician, was associated with Forbes. Anson was but an employe of the firm. These young men were vouched for by Gen. Allen C. Fullerand numerous men of wealth and financial influence. They opened accounts with the Central Trust and Savings bank, the Globe National bank, the State bank of Chicago, the First National bank and the Milwaukee Avenue State bank. Immediately they deposited checks, drafts, etc., which have since been found to be fraudulent, and later drew out the cash. By collusion with Bartels the great great run of the paper was dumped on the Central Trust and Savings bank. The system that was developed was the work of months. The teller, in the absence of the cashier, certified all paper, and the forged drafts, checks, etc., were only deposited when the higher officials of the bank were out. The same system was played on the Globe National, it is said, although Vice President Stone was not in the city to affirm or deny the statement. When the end came Allen C. Fuller d who is reported to be worth over $10,000,000, and Dr. Burnside, his brotherin-law, both of whom had had implicit confidence in the young men, paid all the shortage and none of the banks S are out one cent. 7


Article from Hot Springs Weekly Star, August 12, 1892

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TO ROB THE BANKS. An Extensive Conspiracy Brought to Light in Chicago. Chicago special: The flight of George Vartels, paying teller of the Central Trust and Savings Bank, with $3,000 of the bank's cash. has unearthed what seems to have been an extensive conspiracy to defraud five Chicago banks. The scheme was partially successful, and over $50.000 was se-, cured from Vartel's employers, but has since been made good. Three men formerly connected with the Chicago Bank Note Company have been arrested. charged with conspiracy to defraud. These are William A. Forbes, N. W. Burnside, and Charles N. Anson. Vartels was the fourth man wanted. Forbes was manager of the Chicago Bank Note Company. Burnside, the son of a well known physician, was associated with Forbes. Anson was in the employ of the firm. The young men had been vouched for by numerous men of wealth and financial influence, and on the strength of this bad opened accounts with the Central Trust and Savings Bank, the Globe National Bank, the State Bank of Chicago, the First National Bank and the Milwaukee Avenue State Bank. Immediately they deposited checks, drafts, etc., which have since been found to have been fraudulent. and later drew out cash. By collusion with Teller Vartels a great run of paper was dumped on the Central Trust and Savings Bank. It is said that the plotters intended to pull all the banks they had money deposited with into their net and they break up and clear out, but their paper came to protest to soon. Vartels disarmed suspicion by ingeniously informing the bank officials that he was suspicious that the note company was "kiting," and suggesting that a general guarantee of all transactions be secured from the wealthy Dr. Burnside.