The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota*

Search for E.L. Sylvester continues; Arthur Kennedy arrested

March 20, 1925 - March 28, 1925

PAGE 151

E. L. Sylvester. A nephew of F. J. Nettekoven, who visited here last summer, wrote him that he had seen Mr. Sylvester at Middleton, Wis., but did not know at that time he was wanted. When questioned he was not positive that it was Mr. Sylvester. Active search has however ceased, but officers are watching for any clue that might lead to his trail.
Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Sylvester drove to Rochester Sunday where they spent the day with their daughter, Miss Katherine.
March 27, 1925-

Dead Man had Ed. Sylvester Appearance
Belief of Preston Resident Causes Investigation at Lanesboro
Marks on body Show Great Difference From the Missing Banker
Report Now Current That Absconding Banker Had Considerable Money
The man killed near Lanesboro following the disappearance of E. L. Sylvester was not Mr. Sylvester according to J. A. Watcher, who with P. D. Sylvester viewed the body Sunday. A glance at the face Mr. Watcher said showed some resemblance but a closer look showed the man to be older and smaller. To be positive they checked over various markings. The teeth, hands and finger and the markings on the body showed a great difference from those of Mr. Sylvester.
No trace of Mr. Sylvester has been found. The search is confined to the activities of local officers and County Attorney Foley has advised that a reward should be offered. So far none has been raised.
Feeling of patrons of the Plainview State Bank is gradually turning against Mr. Sylvester. The long period over which defalcations and irregularities have extended is creating the feeling that it was al definitely planned out. There have been so many cases which involved the title of property that property owners are all a little on edge. The question of how much will be returned to the depositors is still causing worry. There are a great many cases where people of little means or earning capacity will be seriously effected if a good percentage is not paid.
It is now known that Mr. Sylvester had a good sum of money when he left here. $500 has been traced directly to him, he having received it only a few hours before he left. Many are of the opinion that finances are the least of his troubles.
March 28, 1925- Clipping
Arthur S. Kennedy, Plainview Banker is Arrested Today
Plainview, Minn. March 28 – Arthur S. Kennedy, assistant cashier of the closed Plainview State Bank was arrested at noon today charged with grand larceny, according to county Attorney John R. Foley of Wabasha.
The warrant charged embezzlement of $650. Kennedy will be taken to Wabasha this afternoon and arraigned in justice court. The warrant was issued on information given by State Superintendent of Banks, A. J. Viegel of St. Paul.
Arthur S. Kennedy, assistant cashier and one of the stock holders of the closed Plainview State Bank, was arrested at noon today in Plainview on a warrant charging grand larceny, according to County Attorney John R. Foley of Wabasha County.
The warrant specifically charged embezzlement of $650.
The warrant on which Kennedy was arrested was the second to be issued in connection with the closing of the Plainview State Bank which shut its door March 4th.
E. L. Sylvester, president of the institution, left Plainview on the Saturday before the bank closed and has not been seen since. He is sought on a warrant charging him with embezzlement of approximately $700.
The embezzlements in the defunct institution, according to bank examiners will total at least $50,000 and possibly much more.
The arrest of Kennedy, according to J. A. Watcher, town marshal of Plainview, was not unexpected, and was delayed only pending the investigation into the affairs of the bank conducted by the examiners from the state department. Two examiners are still on the scene.

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* SOURCE: Manzow, Ron (compiler), "The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota - a collection of information taken from the Plainview News, other newspapers, letters, and diaries beginning in 1884": Plainview Area History Center, 40 4th St. S.W., Plainview, MN 55964. Compiled in 2001.

NOTE: from Ron Manzow, December 2001: "Feel free to reproduce the pages for anyone who wants a copy. It was compiled to be shared... All I ask is that they consider sending a check to the [Plainview Area] History Center to help us out. That should be enough."