The Public Mind

The Melting Pot Made Public Officials of Many Newcomers in Sixty Years.

Clay Center.--In a recent issue of The Journal the 60 years ago column contained an item which said that a full coach of German-Russians had arrived for settlement in Clay county, with Sutton their probable destination.

Since that time a big percent of the county offices have been held by men of Sutton, such as Griess, Ochsner, Spanogle, Palmer, Stiner; at present Bohlen county treasurer; Vaulk, county judge.
William R. King

Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) August 5, 1937
Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

C. C. Hansen Has Resigned

Leaves the Presidency of the Grand Island National Bank

At a meeting of the directors of the Grand Island National bank the resignation of C. C. Hansen, as president, was accepted and Theodore Griess, of Harvard, was elected as his successor. Mr. Hansen has desired for some time to be relieved of more detailed work, but will retain the chairmanship of the board of directors, and will also continue as president of the Grand Island Loan and Trust company, an affiliated institution. Mr. Griess has been a stockholder and director of the bank since last fall. He has been prominently identified with business affairs in Clay county for many years, was president of the Sutton National bank and is now president of the Union State bank of Harvard. Resolutions adopted by the directors expressed grateful appreciation for the long and successful administration of Mr. Hansen.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) July 17, 1918

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

 

Bank at Harvard Stays In Business; Name Is Changed

Financial rehabilitation of the Union State bank at Harvard has been brought about by its officers and stockholders in co-operation with state officials, so that the institution will continue in business with $25,000 of resubscribed capital, the name being changed to the Nebraska State bank, which takes over all of the $583,000 deposits and all other liabilities and assets, including the building and fixtures.

The old capital was practically dissipated, but this has all been made up by the stockholders and the reorganized bank is able to start with a clean slate. It will receive $70,000 from the state guaranty fund, and a claim of $26,000 more which the Harvard bank had against the fund, growing out of the failure of the Octavia State bank, will also be allowed and paid without further litigation.

Theodore Griess remains as president of the Nebraska State bank and H. G. Thomas continues as cashier, the latter becoming a more potential figure in the management, J. H. Yost of Lincoln retires as vice president, though retaining a stock interest. His place will be taken by C. C. Sherwood, banker at Oxford, who will remove to Harvard and taken an active part in operating the bank. Elsie Korgan will be assistant cashier. W. H. Smith and J. E. Person of Harvard are other stockholders.

The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) May 12, 1926

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CHARGE IS EMBEZZLEMENT

Nine Counts Against Theodore Griess, Harvard Banker, Now Free Under Bond.

Walter James, attorney for the guaranty fund commission, reached Lincoln Thursday and said that Theodore Griess, president of the Nebraska State bank of that city, had been charged with embezzlement and had been released under bond Wednesday night. The complaint consists of nine counts, totaling $15,700. The $10,000 bond under which Mr. Griess was released was a personal one, signed by Mr. Pauley of Harvard and other persons.

The bank closed May 9 by order of the guaranty fund commission after it had been turned over to that body by the state department of trade and commerce. The bank was reorganized last year in a consolidation with the Union State bank of Harvard.

Preliminary hearing has been set for June 2.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) May 20, 1927

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WANTS FUND TO STAND FOR LOSS

Administrator of Harvard Man Tells Story of Mystery of Disappearance of Roll of Currency

Rufus R. Mondorff, administrator of the estate of Theodore R. Johnson filed a brief in supreme courtSaturday in support of his appeal from a Clay county decision that denied his claim to $2,000 reimbursement from the guaranty deposit fund. The story told is unusual. Mundorff says that after the death of Jonson, who had reached the age of ninety-eight years, he found a check for $2,000 drawn on Johnson's account in the now disfunct Union State bank of Harvard, which he is convinced was never signed by him. It is on this that he bases his claim for reimbursement.

President Griess of the bank testified that Johnson had him make out the check on his account and that he guided Johnson's hand when he made the marks for his signature. Mundorff says two of his expert witnesses said it was not a guided signature and Mundorff insists it is a forgery. R. V. Mundorff, another member of the family, swore that he was in the bank all the time when the old man was there on that day, and that all he drew was a $50 pension check, and that this was all that was found in his possession after death shortly afterward. He said the old man had been up town only once after that date. Griess said that Mundorff was out of the bank for a time and at the time the check was made out. He says he paid the old man in currency.

Mundorff claims the currency account of the bank that day showed no withdrawals, but that the books showed a credit of $2,000 to the account of Griess. The latter said that the $2,000 credit represented money, currency that he had borrowed from C. J. Keller, who runs an oil station. Keller corroborated this, and said that he kept this money in the basement of his oil station so that he might cash customer's checks. Bank employes corroborated Griess' statement in part. Mundorff insists that Keller did not have that much money in loose cash lying around in view of the number of filling station holdups, and says that the bank books show he was often overdrawn. Keller is also quoted as testifying that he had destroyed his books for that date, over a year ago and that could not compare deposits with receipts of his business.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) August 13, 1927

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

STATE RESTS GRIESS CASE

Prosecution Examined Fifteen Witnesses-Defense Later Rests Also.

Clay Center, Neb., Dec. 7.- Defense in the trial of Theodore Griess, charged with embezzling funds from the defunct Nebraska State bank of Harvard, rested its case this afternoon without offering any testimony. Former Chief Justice Andrew Morrissey's motion that the case be dismissed because of insufficient evidence was overruled. Closing arguments wee being given this afternoon.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) December 7, 1927
Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

A two-year sentence on each of two counts charging embezzlement was given Theodore Griess, Harvard banker, by Judge Blackledge.

Judge Blackledge specified the sentences should run concurrently, and remarked that he was showing leniency because it was sown in the trial that the business situation had gone beyond the control of the banker at the time of  his crimes.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) December 24, 1927

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu



HARVARD BANKER IS UNDER CHARGES

Theodore Griess, President of Nebraska State Bank at Harvard Arrested and Released on Bond.

HARVARD, Neb., May 19.--Theodore Griess, president of the Nebraska State bank of this city which closed its doors May 9 was arrested last night by Sheriff John H. Harr on a charge connecting him with shortages amounting to $15,000 in the bank's accounts. Mr. Griess gave bond this morning and was released.

The charges against Mr. Griess were prepared by Attorney Walter James of Cambridge, representing the state guaranty fund commission after it had been turned over to that body by the state department of trade and commerce. The bank was reorganized last year in a consolidation with the Union State bank of Harvard. The alleged shortage of $15,000 in the bank is alleged to have been caused by the "kiting" of President Griess' personal accounts between correspondent banks.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) May 19, 1927

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

BANKER TAKES AN APPEAL

Theodore Griess Asks Supreme Court to Suspend Sentence Meanwhile.

Theodore Griess, former president of the Nebraska state bank at Harvard, filed an appeal Saturday with the supreme court from his conviction recently on two charges of embezzlement. He was sentenced to serve two years on each of the counts and pay the costs. He was accused of having credited his accounts with $2,773 and $2,932 on two different dates, when the records show that he had not deposited any money or otherwise gained a credit, thus transferring bank money to his own use.

Griess asks the court to suspend the sentence and admit him to bail pending the determination of the appeal. He did not testify on his behalf. He contends that there was misconduct on the part of the prosecuting attorney and the jury; that he was denied a fair trial by acts of the court in admitting and excluding evidence and in his instructions; that the sentence is void because not in compliance with the statutes, and that its imposition was in violation of the law and beyond the power of the court.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) January 7, 1928
Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

Assistant Attorney General Dort filed a brief with the supreme court Monday recommending the affirmation of the conviction of Theodore Griess, former Harvard banker, who drew two years on a charge of embezzlement. The state says that there was no error in the trial, and that the evidence established that Griess had profited $2,773 in one transaction and $2,832 in another, in each case his account being credited with money that was not deposited and which was squared on the book by entries in accounts of two correspondent banks.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) October 15, 1928

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

Former Chief Justice Morrissey appeared in supreme court Monday to ask for a retrial of the case in which Theodore Griess, former president of a bank at Harvard, was convicted of embezzlement to two years in prison. Judge Morrissey said that there was no claim that Griess, who has lived in the state fifty years and was described as a man of good reputation, ever got the money, as he has none now. One count charged the embezzlement of $2,773 and the other that of $2,932. The books of his bank show, the state claims, that he sent various items totaling these amount. one to the Omaha National and the other to the First National of Lincoln, but that he never did so. His attorney said that the trial court abused its discretion in denying a request for a continuance because the audit of the bank was not available, saying that the state should not hurry trials that might result in wrongful convictions. Complaint was also made that the Omaha bank witness testified to the contents of books not produced in court.

Evening State Journal and Lincoln Daily News (Lincoln, Nebraska) November 19, 1928

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

GRIESS CASE IN HANDS OF JURY

CLAY CENTER, Neb., Dec. 4--Out since 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, the jury which heard the state's case against Theodore Griess, formerly president of the Nebraska State bank at Harvard on an embezzlement charge, had failed to reach an agreement early Thursday afternoon.

The case is being tried in the District court here for the second time. Griess was convicted in the previous trial and appealed to the Supreme court. The high court reversed the judgment and remanded the case for a new trial.

After the reversal, one count was dismissed. Griess was charged in the present trial with embezzling $2,773.63. He was represented by C. L. Stewart and Robert Wollsey. County Attorney D. B. Massie was assisted in prosecuting the case by Assistant Attorney Geenral Stalmaster.

The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) December 4, 1930

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AGAIN CONVICT FORMER BANKER

Theodore Griess, Harvard, Found Guilty Embezzlement.

Clay Center, Neb.  Theodore Griess was found guilty of embezzlement by a jury which returned its verdict in District court here this morning. The jury had been out since 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Griess was formerly president of the Nebraska State bank at Harvard.

This is the second time a conviction has been obtained against Griess. He appealed following the previous conviction. The Supreme court reversed the judgment and remanded the case for a new trial.

The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) December 5, 1930
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Former Harvard Banker Appeals to High Court

Theodore Griess for Second Time Asks Reversal of Judgment of Conviction Embezzlement.

Theodore Griess, former president of the Nebraska State bank of Harvard, appealed to the Supreme court Monday from an embezzlement conviction in the Clay county District court.

Griess was given a sentence of from 20 months to 2 years in the state penitentiary. He was found guilty of embezzling $2,773.63. This is the second time that his case has been appealed to the Supreme court. On the previous occasion, the high court remanded it for a new trial.

A poverty affidavit asking the court to order payment of necessary expenses for the appeal was also filed by Griess.

The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) December 22, 1930
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SEEKS LICENSE BY MANDAMUS
Rheinhardt Ochsner Asks Court Order, Claiming He Was Failed Because Of Rivalry With Dental Examiner.
DID NOT PASS ON "PRACTICAL WORK"
Declares Enmity of Dr. Ferdinand Griess Responsible--Says Refused to Buy Latter's Practice At Sutton.

Hearing of the application of Rheinhardt O. Ochsner for a writ of mandamus to compel the state board of dental examiners to grant him a license to practice dentistry in Nebraska started Wednesday morning before District Judge Mason Wheeler.

Ochsner claims that prejudice on the part of Dr. Ferdinand Griess, a member of the board who participated in Ochsner's examination, is responsible for his failure to be given a license.

He was arbitrarily given a grade of "80," which is not passing, although his work was up to standard, he claims.

Griess' prejudice is alleged to have arisen through the refusal of Ochsner and his brother, Herbert Ochsner, to purchase Griess' dental practice at Sutton, Neb., where the Ochsner brothers intended to practice, and where Herbert is now practicing.

Record in Evidence.

Ochsner's examination record was introduced in evidence. Judge Wheeler remarked upon examination of the record, that all of the grades seemed to be high except that in practical work. It was his grade in practical work which kept him from getting his license.

Mrs. Clark Perkins, director of the bureau of examining boards, testified that all examination grades except those in practical work were kept in her office.

She had written to Dr. Griess, she stated, requesting that Ochsner's marks in practical work be filed in her office, be he had replied that it was not customary.

Later the record of the examination given Ochsner by Drs. Griess and W. A. Cox, the latter of Omaha, was introduced in evidence.

The record carried the notation "failed to recognize cavity and left patient without filling."

This cavity which Ochsner missed, according to Dr. Cox and Dr. Griess, both of whom were on the witness stand Wednesday morning, included about two-thirds of the tooth.

Dr. Cox testified upon examination by Attorney Mann that "it was the poorest filling he had ever seen."

Mann sought to secure a statement from Doctor Cox that a filling which was "rotten" six months ago would be "rotten now. After several questions Doctor Cox said it would be.

Patient Takes Stand.

Later Mrs. William Johansen, 3740 J street, the patient upon whom Ochsner worked when the examination was given, was called to the stand.

The tooth with the filling alleged to be bad had given her no trouble, she said. It was filled June 7, 1926.

Drs. Clyde W. Davis and Farrington have examined the tooth since, she stated. There has been no work on the tooth since, but Doctor Farrington made a filling the February before, she testified.

Asked concerning the attitude of the two examining doctors she said that they were "grouchy."

"I said afterward that they acted like they had eaten something for breakfast that didn't agree with them," she said.

Rheinhardt Ochsner began his testimony just before noon, when court was adjourned for lunch.

It was indicated by questions asked than an attempt would be made to show that a grade of 80 per cent is passing, and that the 85 per cent requirement was never passed at a meeting of the dental board.

Mrs. Perkins in her testimony said that she had looked through the minutes of the board since 1919, but had been unable to find any such action.

George Mann and John Whitten are representing Ochsner. George Ayers, assistant attorney general, is representing the state board of dental examiners.

The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) December 1, 1926

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu

OCHSNER GETS ANOTHER EXAM
Partial Victory For Sutton Man In Suit Against State Dental Board.

Although refusing to issue a writ of mandamus compelling the state board of dental examiners to issue a license to Rheinhardt O. Ochsner to practice dentistry in Nebraska, District Judge Wheeler, who heard Ochsner's application, stated Friday afternoon that he would issue a writ to compel the board to give Ochsner another examination in practical work before the next regular meeting of the board, which is in June.

The court held that Ochsner had not proved a clear enough case to sanction a writ of mandamus, but that he should have another examination.

Ochsner claimed in his petition that prejudice on the part of Dr. Ferdinand Griess, of Sutton, one of the examiners, was responsible for his failure.

Griess had been unsuccessful in an attempt to dispose of his dental practice to Ochsner and his brother, the applicant stated. Griess denied this and asserted that he had had no prejudice.

Judge Wheeler, in giving his decision, suggested that "a more delicate sense of propriety on the part of Doctor Griess should have suggested his withdrawal as a member of the board examining Ochsner."

Ochsner received his degree from the University of Nebraska college of dentistry last June, and although passing with 'good marks in his other tests, received a failing grade in "practical work" before the state board.'

A number of dentists were called to testify as to the quality of the work, Judge Wheeler holding that their opinions were counter-balanced.

The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) December 4, 1926

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SAYS IS BANKRUPT.

Voluntary bankruptcy petition of Ferdinand Griess, Lincoln, professor of operative dentistry, University of Nebraska, was filed Monday in federal court. Schedule lists assets of $4,579.86, including $2,360 of real estate and $1,463.86 of insurance policies. Debts are shown as $13,088.79, all secured. Exemption is claimed on $3,873.86. The list of secured creditors includes the following: Nebraska Central Building and Loan association, $3,314.95; Continental National bank, $399.48; Albert P. Schwarz, $200; Equitable Life Insurance company of Iowa, $875.36; Union Central Life Insurance company, $284; Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company, $5, 300 and $675; J. C. Peck, administrator of the estate of Sarah Elliott, $2,000.

Evening State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) May 10, 1938

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    In the District Court of the United States for the District of Nebraska, Lincoln Division    In the matter of Ferdinand Griess, Bankrupt. Case No. 3132 in Bankruptcy.
    Notice of First Meeting of Creditors.

To the creditors of the above bankrupt of Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and district aforesaid, a bankrupt:

Notice is hereby given that on the 9th day of May A. D. 1938, the said bankrupt was duly adjudicated bankrupt and that the first meeting of creditors will be held in the Federal Court Room, Post Office Building in Lincoln, Nebraska, on the 25th day of May A. D., 1938, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, at which time the said creditors may attend, prove their claims, examine the bankrupt, appoint a trustee, consider proposed sale of assets, if any, and transact such other business as may properly come before such meeting.

Dated May 11, 1938
D. H. M'CLENAHAN,
Referee in Bankruptcy.

The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) May 13, 1938

Transcribed and submitted by:   Ida Maack Recu