Courtney Glissen Says He'll Be Back in a Few Years with the $463,000 He'd Stolen, Oct. 30, 1926

Short Almost Half Million. . . Bank Teller Disappears; Writes He Will Make Losses Good

Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 29—Shortages of $463,000 in the accounts of Courtney Glissen, 30-year-old teller in the Bank of Commerce and Trust Company, Memphis, were announced today by officers of the institution after an auditing of the books in the savings department where Glissen worked. Officials of the bank received today from Glissen, who disappeared Wednesday after he found examiners working on his books, a letter announcing his shortages which agree approximately with those of the audit.

“I’ll be back in a couple of years and pay off everything,” the letter said. “I am now on the honorable road.”

Editor’s Note: According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data, $463,000 in 1926 would have roughly the same purchasing power as about $8.38 million in 2026 dollars. The implied inflation multiplier is approximately 18.1. But don’t worry folks, says the thief. I’ll be back in a couple of years and pay it all back.

From the front page of the Goldsboro News, Saturday, Oct. 30, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1926-10-30/ed-1/seq-1/