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Lewiston Banker Goes to Jail; Accused of Stealing $79,000 Playing the Stock Market' Is Blamed By Davis's Counsel; State Law Enforced to Halt Run On Bank Lewiston, Me., Sept. 18-Wilbur H. Davis, who started in Lewiston bank as youth 27 years ago, and finally attained the position of treasurer of the People's Saving bank, today was in jail charged with embezzlement from the bank of funds which said would total $79,000. Davis, according to statement is. sued by his attorney Dana S. Williams, has been "playing the stock market. receipt for collateral loan of $40,000 issued by the local of brokerage house, was found among his papers, indicating the size of his number of other receipts also were found. Davis had destroyed all records showing the bank's holdings of stocks and and bank officials said they would not know definitely for some just how much was missing found in liberty bonds $5000 in cash gone after a cur check. Depositors swarmed into the bank during the day but the officers enforced the state law which permits them limit withdrawals to $100, unless days' notice is given. Everett A. Davis, president of the bank. said the depositors would not los anything, as the surplus of the institution would more than protect them. The 46-year-old treasurer, who received salary $3000 a year, was bonded $25,000. Davis's story the robbing of the bank by two men as he worked on the books last night, led: to his arrest. the apparent ease with which the men were said to have entered the office, on Lisbon street, principal thoroughfare of the city, bound and gagged Davis and escaped, aroused and he was placed under arrest five hours after he called the officers. President Davis said that he believed the treasurer's stock market transactions had covered period of three years and that he understood "he had been very successful' last year. Through his counsel. Davis pleaded not guilty arraigned before nicipal Judge and was held in bail and hearing continued until September 26. Davis is married and has one child boy 14 years of age. The family lived in moderate sized house in Auburn. The banker for several years purchased new automobiles at frequent intervals. Davis was still in jail today, although is understood bail available and that he would be released later. His counsel, in his statement, said he thought Davis's stock losses had affected him resulting in his bank robbery story which dia not hold water with other information later gathered by the police. Davis's mental con- dition also causes him not to realize the seriousness the crime with which he is accused, added his counsel. So far as the police in Lewiston and Auburn can recall, there has never been a case of bank robbery in either city and for time after Davis had told his story to the police, they thought they had their first one. About 15 years ago Davis's father, Lewis E. Davis, deputy chief of the Lewiston police, staged fake bank robbery for the purpose of placing detective in cell beside one occupied by a murder defendant. The tectives after shots had been fired to make appear realistic, captured the detective was breaking into a bank building situated within block of:where the People's Savings bank is now located.