Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-02-13


he could have got away with $50, 900 the
day before, but deposited it in the bank
He said he would have gotten the $4,000
in the desk, if another clerk hadn't been
there. He remarked that he left Lynch
burg with $4,000, and had already spent
nearly 81 900.
Another Case
DEFALCATION, FORGERY, AND ATTEMPT
ED SUICIDE OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE VIRGINIA BOARD OF PUBLIC
WORKS.
The community at Richmond was shocked
on Monday evening at the development
of the facts that Col. w. D. Coleman, Sec
Rotary of the Board of Public works, had
been arrested for forgery and embezzle-
ment of the public funds, and had attemp-
ted suicide while in the hands of the off,
GERS. Suspicion itappears had been aroused
by his being seen to hypothecate State
bond in gambling house, The Board of
Public Works. consists of Gov. Kemper,
Auditor Rogers and Treasurer Mayo and
Col. Coleman as it's Secretary had custody
of the State bonds purchased by their or
der for the Sinking Fund. Gov. Kemper
called the Board together promptly and an
investigation was had, which was attended
by Coleman, resulting in the discovery
that he had altered the figures SlS, 900 to
$4,000 i'll his books so as to put $4,000 in
his hands, though the amount he used does
not appear to have been more than SIS, 900.
The following account is from the Rich
mond Enquirer,
Saturday night about OF O'Clock, Col.
Mayo returning home, at the corner of
Eighth and Broad Streets, met Col. Cole
mon. The latter told him that he had not
thought it necessary TO await the adjourn
ment of the Board of Commissioners, and
asked Col. Mayo what they had DONE Col
Mayo told him of the discovery of the
forged entry. Col. Coleman said
'sIDID Ir.''
Colonel Mayo asked him what he had
done with the bonds; Coleman replied that
he had never taken any. The two walked
together to the Richmond Club House,
talking all the way about the matter. AT
VCL UHO SlQU llOuSO IL SlOll
time, Col Mayo started to return, and
asked Coleman to come with him, but he
declined, saying, ''No; am going away,
and you will never see me again. He sta
ted that he knew that publicity would soon
be given to his misconduct, and that,
though he might be able to stand it, il
would plunge his father and mother into
Unreasonable grief, and he particularly re-
GREETED it on his (Mayo's) account and
General Rogers Yet he still declared
that he had not distracted any of the
bonds. His language and his looks indi-
Gated that he meant suicide.
On Monday it was determined to arrest
him and the warrant was put in the hands
of detective Pat Woods to be served. 1t
was ascertained that Colonel Coleman was
sick in bed in his room at the Imboden
House, and thither the detective betook
himself. About nightfall he was shown by
a servant to Colonel Coleman's room on
the third floor and gave one or two raps
upon it. 1t was opened by Colonel Cole
man, who had been in bed with his clothes
on, but got up to answer the summons
Upon seeing Pat, he is reported to have
said:
"Ah, Pat! Is that you? How are
you ?"
I am we'll" the detective responded.
Coleman II know what you want, and
1 don't intend to leave this ROOM
The Detective: every well, that's all
right. If you do not feel well enough to go
out, | will stay with you tonight"
Coleman: mo sir, nobody shall stay
with me Tonight"
SUICIDE ATTEMPTED.
The two were about this time standing
near the centre of the room, and Colonel
Coleman suddenly Whirled around and
went to the Wash-stahd, took drink of
water, or something, and returning to-
wards the detective. grabbed small peck
ct knife from table, threw himself upon
the bed, and stabbed himself in the neck
with one of the blades.
Woods, seeing what had been done, rushed
towards him, got the knife away and shout
ed murder" and "help,n until several
gentlemen Of the house came to his assis-
lance. Dr.. Coakley was sent for, and up
on examination, found that the wound was
a puncture on the right side OF the neck.
The blade--about Il inches long--had
passed in front Of the carotid artery and
down in rear of the larynx, in the neigh
borhood of the principal blood vessels. 1t
is painful and severe wound, but not at
all likely to prove fatal.
Dr.. Coakley found in the room a four
ounce vial OF chlorotorm, which had been
filled during the day at Blair's apothecary,
and was then nearly empty; also a vial of
spirits of camphor and other evidences that
the unhappy gentleman had been dosing
himself, with no regard OF wish for the
safety of his life. He is to be allowed to
remain at his room under guard until well
enough to stand examination.
THE DEFALCATION.
The missing bonds. as far as ascertained
do not exceed $4,000, and are not worth in
the market more than $4,000. Colonel Cole
man, for tell days OF two weeks, has been
drinking heavily, and has not really been in
his right mind, and mnch allowance ought
on that account to be made for his con-
duct.
Col. Coleman is about IS years of age, of
highly respectable family near Danville, and
has had the ''run" of the best society in
Richmond. He was Confederate postmas-
ter at Danville, and just before the close of
the war, got authority to raise regiment
of Confederate colored troops, which, how
ever, was not raised He was afterwards
one Of the editors Of the enquirer t hen
a clerk in the Executive department and
then Secretary of the Board of Public
Works. He was somewhat prominent in
politics and WAS member of the Conser-
vative State Central Committee, we believe.
How WEST VIRGINIA LANDS ARE Co.
TNG.-The following entries appear in
the records of Greenhrier County Court
The land of West Virginia will soon get
out Of the hands of it's original owners:
The power of attorney from Hiland
Hubburd, to z. D. Lansing, to sell an un-
divided fourth interest in 10000 acres of !
land in Greenbrier county, and 100. 900
acres in BraXton county, w. Va.
An apreement from Stenhen K Kana to /