Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-07-22
HEAVY BREECH OF TRUST.
Ono Million Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars Alleged to be Involved.

From the New CrK lmeE
PHILADELPHIA, July 1.-The startling in
formation Was made public to-day that lhe
accountants who have been investigating the
affairs of Henry G. Morris, who lately failed
and made an assignment for the benefit o1 his
creditors had discovered that one Alexander
Erwin. whom Morris had employed rs conf
DENTAL financial agent of his foundry busi-
ness since 1871, had grossly betrayed his
trust, anu had appropriated to his own use
sums Of money reaching in the aggregate
about 81, 600, 900. Erwin had the whole busl-
ness Of the place in his charge, while the
pay-rolls for labor and material purchased
we're under the care of nephew OF Erwin,
but controlled by him. SO great was the con-
tidence reposed in Erwin that MIR. Morris
! never Investigated his own affairs, and never
| took the standing of his business, being salts
| fed with balance sheets which Erwin would
present to him at stated intervals.
It has turned out that these balances were
arranged Tor the occasion, and that large
sums of money were continually drawn from
the business by Erwin, withou! the knowledge
or consent of Mr. Morris. In one month
January, 1875 Erwin charged himself with
three notes OF $4,000 each, and on the Both
Of December, 1872, he charged himself with
a deposit Of $3.50, 1000, which he failed to credit
| to Mr. Morris, either in his bank accounts or
elsewhere. To cover up his wrong g-doings,
Erwin is alleged to have fraudulently credited
himself, on the 31st of July, 1873, with $10O,
600 to cover notes issued to his order. This
credit was purely fictitious, and never au-
thorzed by Mr.. Morris twas further shown
that Erwin, having full charge of the notes OF
Mr., Morris, had negotiated ten. amounting to
$62, ,24O, and appropriated the presents to bis
own use. 1t was Mr.. Morris custom fol-
some time previous to April, 1875, when ht
assumed his supervision, to allow Erwin tC
deposit moneys belonging to the Southwark
Foundry, in the Seventh and Second National
Banks, in his (Ervin's) name. When the
assignee of the estate attempted to ascertain
what amount of money was in the banks, the
officials refused to give the information. II
is also alleged that Erwin has invested heavily
in real estate, and that pending the suit which
Mr.. Morris has brought against him, has dis
ct sd and @sa
The assignees Of the estate have brought tn
matter before Judge Pratt, at Common Plea
!, Court, praying for attachments to be issued
and such other relief as is within the pro
vince of the tribunal. This exposure shows
how Mr.. Morris was dragged into bankruptcy
and is undoubtedly one Of the greatest piece
of swindlins extant outside of political circles
At a recent meeting Of the creditors Of Mr.
Morris it was announced that the assets wonk
not bring fifty cents on the dollar. Erwin ha
brought counter-suit against Mr.. Morris, il
the hope of staving the matter off somewhat
1t is reported that the first eighteen months
Mr.. Morris was in business he cleared $1,
OOO, OOO hut after that be began to lose stead
ilv. Erwin was President Of the Seventh
National Bank up to 1878, which he resigned
and was succeeded by his brother, Mr.. d. B
Erwin, who resigned the place only lev
complications which will ensue. The reason
7 asst gned by the bank officers tonight for no
giving statement Of Mr.. Ervins accounts
IS that they object to making public their Gus
toners business. 1t is probable that Ervil
will be arrested on a criminal charge to-nor
, row. He lives in splender in a Fashionable
quarter of the city, and his position gave hin
| unlimited credit among business men.