People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1895 — SHORTAGE IS $50,000. [ARTICLE]

SHORTAGE IS $50,000.

ThU Amonnt Stolen by the Cashier of the Fort Scott (Kan) Bank. Fort Scott, Kan., Oct. 17. —After a long conference with J. R. Colean, the defaulting cashier of the State Bank of this city, Vice President J. J. Stewart made the startling announcement yesterday that the amount of his defalcation would probably exceed $50,000, two-thirds of the amount of paid-up stock in the bank. Colean insists that he lost all the money in speculation, dealing largely through Gaylord & Blessing of St. Louis, and that he is now penniless. Vice President Stewart is mystified at the unexpected proportions of the theft. He was constantly in the bank and believed such a steal to be impossible without his having learned of it. He says it will wipe out all of the capital stock and probably necessitate assessment against the stockholders. Mr. Colean is still in bed at his home, but will be arrested by the bank officers as soon as his condition improves. His wife is endeavoring to raise $20,000 on his life insurance, and will refund that amount to the bank if possible.