Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-07-13
sketch ola Dofaulter-strange Case.

Frederick Hoasnan, the defaulting Secretary OF
the Pacific Nail Steamship Company, who was
arrested at Utica, n. Y. Monday. attempted 70
! kill the ofeer who arrested him. but failed, ana
/! is now in the Tombs at New York. lis is charged
with the over-issuing of l2 shares Of the Pacific
Steamship cssspany's stock, yaIded ut Sll0sOO.
and the forging Or altering of Two or more notes
belonging to said Company. The world says:
Had Hoffman been one Of those reckless, IN
scrupulous, dissipated young men, in which our
CT ty seems 10 Absuad. We could easily dispose
Of the question, Why did he thus involve l'imselN
and ne should content ourselves with cIironlclng
his arrest, his trial and the result. His. howev-
err is a peculiar case, and as such deserves special
attention. Hoffman had fine education, gradu-
nte1 wcll'.at Columbia College. and gave every
promise of n useiu and honorable career.
At IN early age he became connected with the
firm of Rowland 4 A-pinwall. and on the forma-
ton OF the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. some
ton years since be was appointed TO the honorable
position OF Secretary. To all appearance he COO
Quoted himself with great proprieiy. winning by
his Industry and faithtulness the kind regard OF
his employers, until he became, in addition.
Transfer Clerk Of The same company, having, al
~, .ntire charge Of tho ck.Lsager. For hong
while semi.annual dividends were declared by
this Company, and the entire amount was deposi-
Re! by him. reaching twice year the sum OF
S3660o0. Besides this great trust, he took ex-
elusive charge Of the affairs Of Mr.. Vim. IL. As
pinwall during bis absence in Europe drawing
his dividends, collecting his rents and accounting
for the same faithfully and satisfactorily. lie al
had charge of Nj John Aspinwalfs affairs,
anI in part those OF Mr.. Edward Woolsey. We
mention these facts to show whatentirc aud great
confidence was reposed in him by people who are
not generally SUI posed to be careless IN dsPosi-
ton OF their property selection oil their agents.
Hoffman has never been favorite on Wall
street. In person he is ta-certainly six feet and
over-in manner discourteous: in conversation,
curt, brief. assuming and disacreenlle. His rer'
sInal habits were singular. lie had n dislike
amounting to aversion for society IT women. lie
did not ike horses. did not keep them, run them.
ride them. bet them. lie was fond Of read
ing; bad n very choice, costly and unique library.
in which spent great deal OF his time and OF
which he was very proud. SILL this was not 80
expensive. did its well lined shelves afford ev-
idencc of great extravagance; and we ARE at loss
To account for the disappearance Of the vast sum
Of money in any other way than 10 sunni o that
he sunk it nil in TIM tempting and dsc"lifnl vor-
tcx-s,ock SPECULATION. rhisi. the general i'm
preston An immense amount of money has dis
appeared somewhere, and ordinarily its disappear
would create Il vacancy somewhere, but in
this pool nut only hundreds and thousands, but
millions, can be and are yearly sunk. leaving no
trace behind, causing no ripple on the surface.