Introduction
The East End Trust Company was first organized on May 26, 1905. Dr. C. F. Hadley was the first president. Other founders and early directors included John Schimpf, Frederick von Nieda, and John Crawford.
The East End Trust Company opened for business on July 1, 1920 in temporary quarters at 27th and Cramer Streets. Dr. C. F. Hadley was again the president. The cornerstone for the East End Trust Company’s new building at 2614–2616 Federal Street, designed by architect Joseph Hettel Sr., was laid on September 24, 1921. By 1936 the East End Trust had merged with the Camden Trust.
East Camden Bank
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Prominent East Camden citizens are forming the East End Trust Company and at a meeting of the organization committee yesterday secretary Leon Todd presented a report showing that 600 shares of the 1,000 shares of stock have been subscribed for.
This will be the first bank in East Camden and efforts are being made to dispose of all the stock in the Eleventh and Twelfth wards.
Among those listed of the organization movement are F. H. Antrim, Frank X. Braun, Albert E. Burling, George S. Cadwallader, Wayland P. Cramer, John Crawford, F. A. Finkeldey, Arthur R. Gemberling, Dr. C. F. Hadley, Lemuel D. Horner, Frank G. Hitchner, Victor S. King, Oswen D. Kline, George C. Prince, William A. Regan, John Schimpf, William Schmid, Levi Stratton, Leon E. Todd, Frederick Von Nieda, J. Newlin Wilkins.
Teller In Coma Held In $19,000 Theft At Bank
Camden Courier-Post —
Burd S. Garrett, 42 years old, 200 Wayne avenue Hillcrest, near Merchantville, was placed under technical arrest this afternoon as he was being admitted to the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
Garrett is charged with stealing $19,000 from the East End Trust Company where he has been employed as a teller since the opening of the bank.
The bank will suffer no loss by the alleged embezzlement, being protected by insurance.
Garrett left his home early yesterday after telling his wife he was going to the bank. At 8:30 o’clock last night he returned in a bewildered state. He did not have his automobile with him and told his family he did not know where he had been, as he had regained consciousness while walking along a road near Seaside Heights. Then he lapsed into unconsciousness.
Doctor Is Called
Dr. C. T. Hadley, of Merchantville, who is also president of the East End Trust Company, was summoned and declared Garrett was suffering from a nervous breakdown.
Physicians at the hospital believed Garrett swallowed poison last night, as a friend took a small bottle away from him.
It was learned that Garrett remained away from the bank on Thursday to attend a funeral. While he was absent his books were checked by an auditor and the alleged thefts discovered. Garrett failed to report for work yesterday and a warrant was sworn out for his arrest.
It also was reported that when detectives went to his home this morning to arrest him they found a bottle of poison under his pillow but the detectives could not verify this report. They have been unable to find Garrett’s automobile.
Protected by Bond
The $19,000 named in the warrant comprises the sum total of the alleged defalcation and the East End Trust Company is protected by bond, Albert C. Burling, solicitor for the bank declared this afternoon.
Burling said a statement from the bank would be issued later in the day. Owing to the condition of Garrett, no statement could be secured from him. Burling said the alleged shortage was not uncovered until last night.
Detectives Howard Smith and William Cleary went to Garrett’s home and found him in a semi-conscious condition. Alarmed, they summoned Dr. Hadley who ordered Garrett’s removal to West Jersey Hospital. Smith then swore out a warrant for Garrett’s arrest before Justice of the Peace Peter J. Wallace.
As he lay on a cot, unconscious, at the hospital this afternoon, Garrett was being guarded by a constable.
Bank Embezzler Jokes When Taken To County Prison
Camden Courier-Post —
Garrett Waives Reading of Indictment for $19,000 Systematic Thefts; His Wife Remains Loyal, Discrediting His Confession
Laughing at photographers who tried to snap a picture as he covered his face with his hat and joking with the officers who accompanied him, Burd S. Garrett, for seven years a teller employed by the East End Trust Company was taken from the West Jersey Hospital this morning at 11:15 to the County Courthouse.
When arraigned before Justice of the Peace Peter J. Wallace in the office of Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, he waived reading and hearing of the complaint charging him with embezzlement of $19,000 of the bank’s funds.
Less than ten minutes after he had entered Chief Doran’s office, the confessed embezzler, accompanied by Detective William Cleary, reappeared and walked to the county jail where he was committed.
Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott did not attend the arraignment and it was expected that he would set Garrett’s bail sometime this afternoon, when he would announce his intentions as to presentment of the case to the grand jury.
Garrett, who according to Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Varbalow admitted manipulation of the bank funds, which he lavished on his wife and the six children he had instructed from birth in the principles of honesty, appeared unmoved this morning by the proceedings.
His face has regained the color it had lost when detectives first began questioning him, as he lay in a coma on a cot at the hospital last Saturday. Since Sunday afternoon, when he broke down and admitted the charges against him, he has chatted with his constable guard.
Garrett’s appearance today was that of a businessman in comfortable circumstances. He was well dressed, in a gray suit, dark overcoat, and wore a light gray soft felt hat. His eyes, behind tortoise shell glasses, were bright, and minus the stare of three days ago.
His wife, despite his reported confession reiterated her belief today that “it can’t be true.” Firmly declaring that she used economic measures in her housekeeping.
Photos
Named: East End Trust Company, 2614, 2616 Federal Street, and 1927.
Named: East End Trust Company, 2614, 2616 Federal Street, and March 2004.