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KANSAS NEWS. The Books of a Sedgwick County Bank Show a Shortage. Cashier R. E. Pierce of Mount Hope Is Absent. ABOUT $7,000 MISSING. Directors Meet and Make Up Shortage by Assessment. Slight Run on the Institution Is Promptly Checked. Wichita, Sept. 8.-The books of R. E. Pierce, cashier of the First National bank of Mount Hope, this county, are said to show a shortage of about $7,000. Mr. Pierce went to St. Louis a week ago to attend the World's fair. After he left the examination of the books was made and the irregularities found, it is asserted. The directors met Wednesday and made good the loss to the bank. Pierce's friends say he will return. A run on the bank has been stopped. Friends of Pierce declare that he will return and fix up the affair. They attribute his trouble to high living and assert that it was the result of carelessness rather than of any intention to take the funds of the bank. Pierce was a leader in county and town affairs and three years ago was candidate for county commissioner. He is about 38 years old and has a wife and three children. He has been cashier of the bank since it was opened three years ago. So far, according to the president, no attempt has been made to apprehend Pierce. The matter has been placed in the hands of local detectives. His friends believe that the fact that he left his youngest child, a baby, when he went away, is proof of his intention to return.
