Click image to open full size in new tab
Article Text
Prosecuting Attorney Says He Believes Bank's Head Planned flight After his home was Searched.
Harrison, Ark., Sept. 1.-Jack Holt, prosecuting attorney, revealed Tuesday night that photographs and other papers were found destroyed at the home of Hudspeth, prominent financier, whose group of nine banks in Northwest Arkansas closed Tuesday after ceipt letter from Hudspeth saying "When this is in print, I'll in Canada.' The prosecuting attorney said he had been unable to locate Mrs. and her son and daughter, who left Friday for Cleveland, Okla., ostensibly to visit relatives. Hudspeth left also on that date, he to borrow money at St. Louis which to pay county deposits which were to have been withdrawn Tuesday from his banks. Holt said he was informed the Hudspeths had not arrived at Cleveland. Bank examiners were working Tuesday night, checking affairs of the institutions. Holt said he found several photographs of Hudspeth destroyed and evidence of destruction of other papers, he said, led him to lieve Hudspeth had planned flight. Holt instituted nationwide search for the bank head after he issued warrant charging him with acceptance of deposits knowing his banks to be insolvent. Entering meeting of directors of the closed First State bank at Marshall late Tuesday, group of citizens demanded and received deposits totaling, bank offiicals said between $4,500 and $5,000. The First State bank was one of nine of the Hudspeth chain which closed Tuesday morning. Ray Hogg, sheriff, said there no disorder, but that the farmers quietly but firmly demanded their money. Payments continued, said, until all the currency in the bank was exhausted. Closing of the banks Tuesday left two counties without banking facilities, as well as Harrison. posits of the nine banks were slightly more than $2,000,000. The banks that closed were, Bank North Arkansas, Everton, Bank of Flippin, at Flippin, the First State Bank at Marshall; Citizens Bank and Trust Co., and the Peoples Savings bank, Harrison; The bank at Yellville: American Exchange, Leslie: Bank of Alpena, Alpena Pass; Bank of Lead Hill, Hill. All of these institutions closed last year during the banking collapse, following runs which bank said were brought by Hudspeth's connection with the B. Banks group. The nine institutions had reopened during the last few months. Hudsptth's letter assumed blame for the condition of his banks. His letter said he had turned over $100,000 worth of property and his home here to be sold for the benefit of depositors, and that if af fairs were properly managed, "the banks will pay every dollar owed. Holt said he did not believe that Hudspeth had gone to Canada, but did not reveal the source of the information upon which he based belief. Because most of the banks in this immediate section were volved, Holt said there was much "expression" of resentment against Hudspeth. H. A. Daugherty, examiner from the satate bank department, took charge of the institutions pending arrival of other officials from Little
