The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-02-10
"A PROMINENT YOUNG STATE OFF,
CIAL CHARGED wITM FORGERY. l
AN INVESTIGATION.
ARRESTED by A Detective.
THE PRISONER ATTEMPTS TO TAKE
HIS LIFE AND FAILS. 7.
PARTICULARS OF THE CRIME.
de-, &c, dc.

terday evening By intimations received from
official sources that a heavy defalcatioD bad
been discovered in the Office of one Of the
commissioners of The Sinking Fund, and
that having been traced to
WILLIAM y. coLEAAS, THE SECRETARY
of that Board, bis arrest had been ordered.
The facts of the case are that on Thursday
last member Of the Legislature called the
attention Of the Governor to the fact that
Mr.. Coleman had bypothecated State
bond at faro-bank in the city, and
was being openly guilty of other improprie-
ties Of conduct that threw suspicion upon
bis integrity as an officer.
The Governor called at the office Of the
Auditor of Public Accounts and sent for the
members of the Board, and told them be
had received informltion that demanded in
yestigation at once.
MIR. Coleman was sent for, and when he
appeared the Governor told him what was
charged against him. lie denied having ap-
propriated any bonds, but
ADMITTED TIE CHARGE or GAMBLING ASD
DRUNKENNESS,
yet said he had not indulged in drink for
more than week. He was requested to
bring the bonds which were in his charge
as secretary of the Board for safekecpng.
He went into the Treasurer's Office, and
from the safe brought in al armful of the
bonds, including some that did not belong
to the sinking fund. The commissioners
then made rough coust and statement ot
them, which, when compared with the
books, appeared to oyerrun the amount they
called for. The Board dispersed at late
hour somewhat relieved, but not without
evil forebodings.
On Friday more careful examination was
made (Mr. Coleman being presently, and
A DISCREPANCY OF Sl,140 WORTH OF BONDS
WAS FOUND.
The Secretary said he did not understand
it, and asked that one Of the packages con.
taining the 81 900 bond be opened and re-
counted. OF course this request was conf
piled with, but it did not alter the former
| result. No decided steps were taken, how
ever, on that evening. But on Saturday the
| examination was continued. Mr.. Coleman
still said he could not account for the dis
| crepancy unless it might ..e that lie
had misplaced some OF the coupons,
and proceeding to search in the safe he
found q $1,000 bond. This seemed to re.
liere him very much, though there was still
la deficit.
| Afterward, Colone! Joseph Mayo found
| in the safe under pile OF old papers pack
age endorsed "Sinking Fund in Colcman't
handwriting and containing four $1,000
bonds and four 800 bonds. As this carried
the amount beyond the former deficit til
investigation was pursued further and NOR
closely. Soon after the package was fouD'
Coleman asked the Board if they Deede
him any further, and withdrew from tn
room, as they supposed, TO await their call
but when sought
. COULD NOT BE FOUND.
The record 0: warrants was compare
| with the rough statement alluded to ABOVE
| and it was soon found that on the 11th
November, 1878, there was discrepancy
Closer investigation developed the fact tha
| false entry had been made upon the book
on that date. The pretended transaction {
that day indicated the purchase of IS, 10
worth of bonds for $500. BY holdin
up the book TO the light Colont
Mayo discovered that a figure ha
been scratched out from before the
Comparing this with the warrant, it SCENE
that the actual purchase that should hay
been entered was $1S,100, and the accoun
from the Planters Bank, where the purchas
was made, agreed with the Treasurer's wa,
rant.
After the adjournment Of the Board tha
night Colonel Mayo met Dir. Coleman OF
Broad street, and Coleman said, "Well
Colonel, what was the result ?" Colone
Mayo told him of the altered entry and III,
discrepancy of the vouchers, and Coleman
said, abruptly,
81 DID THAT, COLONEL;
and after q pause added, "What am I Il
do?n lie was advised 70 replace the bonds
at once, but said be could no. do it. III
then turned back and walked with Colone
Mayo to the Richmond Clubhouse, on
Franklin street, where their conversation
was continued short time, and Colone
MAYO was bout to leave, when Mr.. Cole
man said: -.
Goop-BYE, COLONEL, DoN'T RECKON sHALI
SEE YOU AGAIN.
know shall be disgraced, as an inyestiga.
ton must follow, and / fear 1t may cause
some blame to be thrown upon you and
General Rogers.
Yesterday morning the members Of the
Board called at Governor Kemper's office,
and there it was decided to cause the arrest
of Coleman and an examination before q
justice.
THE ARREST.
In pursuance of this plan warrant was
issued BIZ Justice White upon the complaint
of Colonel Joseph Mayo, Jr., General Asa
Rogers, and Mr.William +. Taylor, charging
that William D. Coleman "did unlawfuily
and feloniousiy forge certain entry upon a
record Warrant-book belonging to the office
of the Second Auditor Of the State OF
Virginia, purporting to be an entry OF the
purchase By the Beard Of Commissioners OF
the Sinking Fund Of Virginia OF coupon
bonds to the amount of $4,000, with intent
to defraud," and fixing II O'Clock to-day for
the examination Of the case ut the bar OF the
Police Court.
This warrant was placed in the hands
of Detective Pat. Woods at about Z
p. n. Yesterday to be served upon
the accused, and he went at once
70 the Imboden House, on Capitol street,
where MIR. Coleman boards. He knocked
at The door of his room, and Coleman,
nnon opening it, said g Halloo, Pat. How
are youP I know what you come for"
Wood said: "Neyer mind, If You are too
unwell to go with me Fli stay with y0u."
Coleman said: "No you wont" or words
to that effect, and turning away took up 9
glass supposed TO contain water, ana after
drinking it .,z,.,s 81
THREW HiAsELF ON THE BED d sgT
upon bis face. While the officer was look
ing around the room 10 see If there were
any weapons with which his, prisoner could
iDjure himself, Coleman - sts5s
H r, zs STABBED HIMSELF ittsGg $3.50
z :. s Il 81 = ~ ~n.l