The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-03
FAINT-HEARTED FAIRBANKS.
WEAK MANS STRUGGLE WITH BAD MANS
CRIME-A ROBBERY THAT WAS COMMITTED;

WEAK MANS STRUGGLE WITH BAD MANS
CRIME-A ROBBERY THAT WAS COMMITTED;
SUICIDE THAT WAS NOT. o.
The case' Jeremiah r. Fairbanks, the late assist
ant cashier the State National Bank OF Elizabeth,
who, with p. Williams, the absconding merchant
Of that city, pleaded guilty embezzlng $780, 900 of
the funds OF the bank, still continues to attract con-
siderable attention in Elizabeth and In banking circles
Of other cities. Unlike Taintor, Ellis and the numer-
other bank cashiers who have proved recreant to
their trusts Fairbanks retains the sympathy of many
OF the most substantial citizens OF the city In which
he is now prisoner awaiting the sentence OF tho
United States Court. His actions previous to and
since his arrest. the certain knowledge thst he was
but dupc throughout and tho fact that he not
benefited to the extent OF dollar by tho
embezzlement, tend to create this feeling
for him. Yesterday petition to President Grant,
asking him to intorpose Executive clemcncy in behalf
OF the errng cashier was again presented to the ct
zens Of Elizabeth for their-sgnatures The document
gives clear and concise statement Of the case The
petition was numerousy signed, and now bears the
names Of all the bankers OF the city Nncuding the
officers OF tho State National Bank) the prominent
merchants lawyers, ccrgyhen and business men, the
prosecuting attorney. judges OF tho various courts
Chief OF Police John Keron, United States District At
ternsy keas6y Ass;stsn, United states District Ator
bead, OF Newark, and many bankers and influential
men oil that city The petition Is being hurried up 10
anticipation of the sentence OF Fairbanks which win
be pronounced by Judge Nixon, OF the United States
Court during tho present term. which commences
either the middle the latter part week. II 10
said that tho document will be taken Washington by
ex-Congressman Amos Clark Jr
WILLIAMS FLIGHT.
When the two prisoners pleaded guilty their bail was
increased to 900 each and postponed
for two weeks. In the interim Williams forfeited hts
bail bond and Is now fugitive from justice Fair
banks voluntarily gave himself up although he could
have given ball. and is the Union County jail al
Elizabeth, awaiting the sentence of the Court WILL
iams light and still continues to be the sensation
In Elizabeth Previous to the d6nouement concerning
the embezzlcment he was recognized as one OF tho
'solid men Of the city, noted for his honesty, busi
tact and charitable disposition. His arrest, how
ever, revealed many shortcomings that otherwise
would not have reached the public ear One was the
disappearance OF part OF the funds OF ST. Johns
which Is now believed to have been appropriated by
that it he who robbed his OF So 000worth
the time and detectives far and Tor the
thieves, but without success Shortly atterward
poor German clerk IN his store was sent to the Pen
tertiary Tor small theft OF silk goods Upon the OK.
piraon OF his Time he called upon Williams two days
before the laters flight, and the two were in close
and earnest conversation for long time. At the
cluson tho ex-convict received money from
Williams and was to have called again on the Monday
following but In the meantime the dishonest aud terri
fled merchant fed His bondsmen, Messrs. Richard
kipping OF No "a Maiden lane, OF this city; Otis
Woodruff, OF Elizabeth. and Amos Clark, OF Rosellc
N. j., have paid SIC, 900 to tho Court Williams Is
said to be Canada, but II is thought that he s hid
ing in this city.