The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-04
BECKwITH's CRIME.
THE DETAILS OF HIS FRAUDULENT DOMos-

THE DETAILS OF HIS FRAUDULENT DoTNos-
HOW HE INITIATED HIS PREDECESSOR
One OF the most startling Of breach Of trust
brought TO light in this city is that Of Charles
Beckwth tho confidential clerk OF d. T. Babbitt the
soap manufacturer Of Washington street Early in
the spring OF 1858 Mr.. Milton H. Thompson. Of
Rochester a nephew OF Mr.. Rabbit to New York
and called upon his uncle de had a very particular
friend whom he wanted Mr.. Rabbit take into his
employ This friend was young man Of good educa-
ton ana a most excellent penman. Mr. Thompson
had known him from his infancy and was confident
OF his honesty that he volunteered 60 security for
him to any This young mans name was
Charles r. Beckwith, and on Mr.. Thompsons urgent
solicitation and recommendation Mr.. Babbitt was
induced to engage him, although, he remarked yes
terday he did not like the mans appearance. As soon
Beckwth entered upon the duties Of his position he
evnced great ability and aptitude for the work assigned
him, and by degrees the prejudice Mr. Babbitt had at
FIRST entertained against him became broken down. and
finally disappeared BeckwIth appeared very attentive
business and the interest OF his employer that in
the course OF few months he had gained that gentle
mans entire confidence He was now given absolute
control OF the business during Mr. Rabbits absence
and indeed managed the affairs Of the establishment
pretty much he chose at all times for the proprietor
was getting along years and du not feel Altogether
equal to the task OF looking after matters as De had
The selling OF goods the buying OF stock, and
the drawing Of money from the bank was lett 70 TINS
brilliant young man, with what result the public is
already partially acquainted AS stated In these col
umns yesterday, the amount embezzed by Beckwith
NOT PAIL SHORT OF s7OO 600
Tho accountants who have been going over the
unearthed fraudulent accounts and entries TO the
amount OF half million before the warrant was issued
for the culprirs arrest Yesterday they discovered
several additional entries of $4,000 In this case
firm entered the books as having received this
amount for goods sold state that they had
no transactions whatever with Mr. Babbtt's
establishment and did not sell It cents worth of
goods In month Beckwith and his accompicc,
for he had accomplce, embezzled $s5 600 In 1871
the receipts fell of TO such extent that Mr. Babbitt
was compelled to sell $500 900 worth OF government
securities TO enable him to carry on the business
As above stated Beckwith had an accomplish His
name is Thomas r. Lewis There Is another party
who is also charged with having had finger in the pie
For reasons best known TO themselves these two gen
temen spending few months on the CONT
nen. Lewis entered Mr.. Rabbits employ in Novcm-
ber 1865 expert Tor the purpose of investigating
the accounts OF Beckwith's predecessor, man who
held the post OF confidential clerk TO Mr.. Rabbit
for period OF thirteen years and then re-
tired Independently rich Indeed so well had
he prospcred in worldly affairs that he could afford TO
and did refuse $25 600 salary year 70 continue Mr.
Lewis investigate this genteman's manner Of
doing business, and, in view OF recent developments,
inter that while investigating 1t he learned il
WELL Mr. Babbit has in his possession an intercepted
letter from Beck With to Lewis in which the writer
tells his coadutor that no is Of the opinion that
he Qewis) made more money than he did and that he
does not believe the ''dvide'' fair 'Re-
member too " he adds, ''thaI while you in Europe,
having free and easy time am still here treading
on bombshells and torpedoes, which
EXPLODE AT ANY MOMENT J"
Yesterday forenoon Beckwith was taken to the Tombs
Police Court and arragned before Justice BIxby. He
was accompanied by his counsel ex-Judge Fullerton,
and look ed perfectly cool and composed. Mr. Babbtt
was present the time but had nothing to say TO his
willy "friend" and former conhdant. The affidavit
upon which the prisoner held without bail sets
forth three specific charges:-
FirS-That on the 18th OF March, 1871, he embezzled
from his employer the aforesaid Mr.. Babbitt, the
oil So 1872 40, by filling out check payable TO c. r.
Beckwith and causing the TO be drawn from the
Metropolitan Bank 1t Is alleged that nc covered tins
fraud by charging the amount Frazer Meyer Co.,
for bill OF taIlow delivered
Second-On the 9th of June 1872, the prisoner
filed up check for SILL $50 55 the same Dank pay
able to and Endorsed by himself which sum he drew
and appropriated 10 his own
Thtrd-In bill purport'ng to be paid to one Robert
Wildwood IN November 1872 By erasure OF figures
the defendant is alleged to have contrved it to
appropriate S5l6 So TO his own
Judge Fullerton said he not prepared 10 go
with the case and, afer consulting with Judge Bixby
for while examination set down 10 take place
Wednesday next