Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-16
A Bremen MERCHANT in Trouble,

lhe kotn'sehe Zeltung, of Sept IL, gives the
following curiqur i,sriativ,,-of o,.s of tlSe first
men" of Bremen, which was translated for the
New York Tribune:
Henry Engelbert Haase, now GO years of age,
having when FIVE years old been left the orphan
of small trader in Bremen, was adopted bya
near relative of his mother and brought up by
him as his own son. This person, whose name
was Geisler, afterwards took him as partner in
business, and when he died, in 1906, Haase con.
tnued the business in connection with Geisler's
widow, for about twenty years, when the estab-
lishment was closed, Haase being considered as
man of large property. He was one of the
most highly respected men in Bremen-hodng
several public offices, trustee of the school
fund, of the missionary and Bible Societies, an
administrator on the estates of many deceased
persons, and guardian of several orphan chill
dren. He gave the impression of the most ac-
tive benevolence, and the highest integrity, and
abounded in both public and private charities.
No one ever sought his aid in vain He always
gave with great liberality. Obging in the
highest degree, he was always the man to whom
his friends entrusted their obligations when they
were absent, on journeys or otherwise, from the
city. Whatever was placed in the hands of
Haasc was deemed perfectly safe. In 1913 he
married into an old Bremen family, but his wife
died on the birth of her first child in l8l4.-
Since 1889, in which year he inherited $50 900
from the widow Of Gesler, he was an Alderman
Off city. A certain coxcombry--for instance
he wore jewels and lace, which was not usual,
and took every means to conceal his age-was
forgiven him, on account Of the high esteem
which he universally enjoyed. No one ever
ventured in the slightest degree to ridicule AL
derman Haase in the opinion Of every one, he
stood frmer than any man in Bremen. With
remarkable hospitality, he entertained, every
week, distinguished company of both sexes,
land it was considered great honor to be invi-
ted to his parties. A degree of luxury was ex.
f hibited at his dinners which was excusable only
in rich man without children He pursued
this course since 1880. His reputation for hon
esty was perfect; but at that time he had com.
menced career of swnding on large scale.
f In the first year of his establishment, he spent
great portion of the property of the widow, de-.
ceiving her with false accounts, and paving in
terest on sums which were no longer in exist
ence. In taking possession of the Geisler lega-
cy, he paid the tax of $4,000 to the State, al
though the property had been previously made
way with. This tax was paid with the public
t money, which, since that time, he had used for
| himself, squanderng it both in luxury and cha.
rity.
The whole amount of his defalcation is not
yet fully known. But it is certain that there is
a deficit of 100000 dollars in the School Fund ;
5000 dollars to The fund Of St. Stephens Church.
=. which he attended twice every Sunday and
, 5000 dollars in the Missionary Society," In his
annual statement of the different funds, he soli-
cited the inspection of the books, and often pre-
tended that the value of the property had in
creased by advantageous purchase and sale of
Stocks frequently offering the overseers to show
them the certificates in various closets and oaken
; chests 1t was naturally deemed gross impu-
tation on such an accurate accountant to accept
the offer. In order to preserve the honor of the
city, several of the inhabitants were willing to
advance 10000 or even 10000 dollars to hush
up the matter; but it was too late; the affair
had already got wind. Justice must accordingly
take its course. Every one sees that it is great
misfortune for Bremen, the consequence of which
cannot as yet be fully calculated. On Saturday
when the explosion took place, men wept like
children; they were pale as death when they
met on the Exchange and all business came to
a stand-stl. The streets were perfectly hushed
people stood in groups, speaking to each other
> in whispers of the astounding disclosures. The
demeanor of Haase at the examination greatly
surprised the judges. With great composure
: he listened to the charges, displaying no traces
of distraction; and he still remains in a state o.
y self-deception, persuaded that he will receive
PARDON as he confessed the crime and yielded
y himself to justice when he gave up the accounts
{ and resigned bis Office.