viblbv00931Blacksburg, Virginia, Bank Embezzlement CollectionBlacksburg, Virginia, Bank Embezzlement Collection, ca. 1865 Ms.2011.080Andrea Ledesma, Student Assistant, and Kira A. Dietz, ArchivistSpecial Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

2011 (CC0 1.0)

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield DriveNewman Library, Virginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia 24061Business Number: 540-231-6308specref@vt.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-10-09 07:04:14 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script. Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia, Bank Embezzlement Collection Ms.2011.080 0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder ca. 1865 The eight documents (ca. 1865) within the collection detail a bank embezzlement case from the Blacksburg Branch of the Farmers Bank in Virginia. Nicholas M. Ronald, supposedly swindled patrons into writing him checks that would pay off their account deficits. Much of the collection consists of testimonials attesting to that suspicion. The materials in the collection are in English. Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

 Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

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 Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Blacksburg, Virginia, Bank Embezzlement Collection, Ms2011-080, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

 Source of Acquisition

The collection was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in August 2011.

 Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Blacksburg, Virginia, Bank Embezzlement Collection was completed in September 2011.

 Biographical Note

Nicholas M. Ronald was the son of William S. Ronald and Mary Crow. Before the American Civil War, Ronald worked as a merchant in Blacksburg, Va. He and his fellow merchants served as an original director of the Blacksburg Savings Institute. Ronald was the younger brother to confederate soldier Charles A. Ronald. The latter led the 4th Virginia Infantry Regiment of the Stonewall Brigade during the Civil War, but he resigned from service in September 1863 after a debilitating thigh injury sustained in battle. Both brothers owned the Phillips-Ronald house (Five Chimneys) in Blacksburg--the home of their widowed sister Sarah Kent.

 Scope and Content

The eight documents (ca. 1865) within the collection detail a bank embezzlement case from the Blacksburg Branch of the Farmers Bank in Virginia. The testimonies recorded within the collection name Nicholas M. Ronald, a bank teller, as the main suspect.

Ronald's modus operandi involved him instructing patrons to write him checks that would supposedly pay off account deficits. One Oscar Callison "paid N. M. Ronald, Teller of the Farmers Bank..$131.30 the balance of Mrs. M.A. Callison's Account." Another George T. Gray "paid...Ronald...$135 to be placed to the credit of P. w. Evang [Evangelist?]." Ronald supposedly pocketed these, and many other, checks.

 Arrangement

The collection is arranged by material type

 Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Blacksburg, Virginia, Bank Embezzlement Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

 Blacksburg (Va.) Local/Regional History and Appalachian South Montgomery County (Va.) Roanoke (Va.) Ronald, Nicholas M. Farmers Bank (Blacksburg, Va.) Papersca. 18651