Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-10-06
LOCAL NEWS,

A SINGULAR CASE OF ABsCoNDING.-Con-
siderable excitement prevailed yesterday in the
vicinity OF the Navy Yard in consequence of
reports as to the disappearance of Mr.. Thomas
Dennis, the armless man, who, for about eight
years past, has been employed as a watchman
at the copper rolling-mill in the Navy Yard.
Dennis has been specializing quite heavily for
person of his standing in gold for the past
two or three years, and as has since his disap-
pearance been made apparent, on the capital of
other people. He has always been looked
upon as trustworthy man, and il seems that
he borrowed quite heavily, the amounts al
ready accounted for reaching $1,000. Mr.. w.
H. Barbour is out $500; s. Shelton, g., 2OO Ar
thur McNalley, $1,000; Henson Fowler, (for
whom Dennis was agent for collecting rents }
1925; DIR. S. A. III. McKim, $40; Mrs. q. S.
Whitney, $500.
There is a re port in circulation that he had
left with the funds of Eagle Tent of Recha-
bites, of which he was treasurer, but such is
not the case, he having just before he left on
wednesday evening turned over all the funds
of the Tent to one Of its officers.
Besides the losses named above, there are a
number OF others, some in the rolling mill who
lose small amounts, and there may be others
who we have not yet heard of, losing larger
amounts. Some parties estimate the aggregate
defalcations at from ten to twenty thousand
dollars
Dennis left rather suddenly on Wednesday
evening, the last seen of him at the Navy Yard
being about z o'clock, when ne took a carriage
for the depot, where he met and told an ac-
quaintance that he would take the through
train for New York, and it is surmised that he
TOOK the steamer from there yesterday for Eng
land, his native country. 1t is stated that two
young men left with him.
Dennis had owned some property on G. street
south, near 9th street east, which, however, he
made over about year since, SO that his cred
itOrs have but little hopes of ever realizing
been a member of DIR. Olds' church, and a
prominent temperance man, possessing the
confidence of the community in remarkable
degree.
Dennis isan Englshman by birth, and has
been in our navy. In 1S4S he was on the u. ).
steamer Princeton, and during a visit Of the
Russian Prince Demidorff to that vessel at
Gibraltar, while firing salute in his honor,
by the premature discharge or bursting of a
gun, Dennis lost both OF his arms and was
terribly mangled otherwise. Demidorf took
charge Of the wounded man, and had him
carefully nursed, and before Dennis left for
this country the Prince settled an annuity of
800 upon him. Dennis has also been a PEN
sioner of the United States, receiving $50 per
month. 1t is stated by some that he has de-
serted his wife and four children and goes OUT
to place himself under the care OF the Prince.
Information was given to the police yester-
day afternoon, and telegram was immeoiate-
ly dispatched to New York for ms apprenen-
sion, but il is feared that ii was TOO iate IL mas
been ascertained that passage had been Sc.
cured by him several days ago on a steamer
which left New York yesterday
The most of the losses by the departure of
Dennis are sustained by hardvorking men,
dependent upon their daily labor for support.
and il is to be hoped that for their sakes st
least the absconder may be caught
TRIALS AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS, BRroRR
SUPKRINTENDYET RlCHARDs.-John Shafer
and Raymond Labina Were arrested yesterday
afternoon, at the Metropolitan Hotel, by detsc-
hves Reed and Clarvoe, on suspicion Of being
hotel thieves. One is a sprightfy young
Englishman, ana the other a siekiy looking
Spaniard, who talks poorly. Their room, No.
1le, being searched, bundle Of skeleton keys
and a stiletto were found. This morning,
Superintendent Richards dismissed them,
upon their promise to leave the city at eleven
O'Clock.
About eight o'clock last night, the same
officers arrested another man, named Carroll
G. Suits, al the same hotel. Suits is suspected
OF the robbery Of gentleman named Hestor Of