Today in Wheeling History: November 25–Bank Clerk Harry B. Seybold goes on trial for a $24,000 theft (1890)
Harry Bates Seybold (1864-1940) was educated at Washington School, Linsly Institute, and Frazier Business College. He began his career as a collection clerk at the Bank of Wheeling, where his father, Joseph Seybold, served as Assistant Cashier. On December 29, 1887, Harry B. Seybold purchased property at 3526 Jacob Street in Wheeling for $1,750, which included a brick house and all household furnishings. According to the 1888 Wheeling City Directory, he moved into the house in September 1888.
In 1889, a package containing $24,000 (worth over $638,000 today) went missing from the bank vault. Seybold initially claimed he had won the Louisiana lottery, but an investigation by County Prosecutor B.B. Dovener revealed this was false. After his arrest on August 2, 1889, Seybold admitted to systematically stealing nearly $35,000 from the bank over time. He was released on bail but fled to Kansas, where he was eventually captured and brought back for trial.
On November 25, 1890, his trial began with large crowds in attendance. Despite claiming that bank teller Harry List had given him the money, the jury took only 20 minutes to find him guilty. He was sentenced to two and a half years in the Moundsville penitentiary but was pardoned by Governor Aretas B. Fleming in late October 1892 due to health issues and good behavior. After his release, he worked as an oil leaser and operator before becoming a Justice of the Peace in Clay District. He was married to Minerva (Minnie) Rosenberg Seybold, who worked as a manicurist. Seybold died of coronary disease on December 14, 1940, at age 76 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
To learn more: Wheeling Heritage (https://shorturl.at/kfYM7), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/pDnPm)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Google Maps
Harry Bates Seybold (1864-1940) was educated at Washington School, Linsly Institute, and Frazier Business College. He began his career as a collection clerk at the Bank of Wheeling, where his father, Joseph Seybold, served as Assistant Cashier. On December 29, 1887, Harry B. Seybold purchased property at 3526 Jacob Street in Wheeling for $1,750, which included a brick house and all household furnishings. According to the 1888 Wheeling City Directory, he moved into the house in September 1888.
In 1889, a package containing $24,000 (worth over $638,000 today) went missing from the bank vault. Seybold initially claimed he had won the Louisiana lottery, but an investigation by County Prosecutor B.B. Dovener revealed this was false. After his arrest on August 2, 1889, Seybold admitted to systematically stealing nearly $35,000 from the bank over time. He was released on bail but fled to Kansas, where he was eventually captured and brought back for trial.
On November 25, 1890, his trial began with large crowds in attendance. Despite claiming that bank teller Harry List had given him the money, the jury took only 20 minutes to find him guilty. He was sentenced to two and a half years in the Moundsville penitentiary but was pardoned by Governor Aretas B. Fleming in late October 1892 due to health issues and good behavior. After his release, he worked as an oil leaser and operator before becoming a Justice of the Peace in Clay District. He was married to Minerva (Minnie) Rosenberg Seybold, who worked as a manicurist. Seybold died of coronary disease on December 14, 1940, at age 76 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
To learn more: Wheeling Heritage (https://shorturl.at/kfYM7), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/pDnPm)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Google Maps
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