Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-01-26
A Dishonored Household
THE DEFALcATION AT ANNAPOLIS.

! A correspondent of the Baltimore Gazette,
| writing from Annapolis, Nd, says:
| On the southern extremity of our CITY near
the head of Spa creek, stands a dwelling of
the architecture of the last century, partly
surrounded by an ample ana beautiful garden.
The interior presents a handsome and costly
appearance, with luxurious furniture, instru-
menls Of music, painting and other works OF
art, and portraits of ancestors both military
and civic, all Of which latter bear a striking
resemblance to the living inmates. Here for
| years in unosientatious affluence, the Hon
George Wells, now 76 years old has dwelt
and reared sons and daughters, all of whom
| by their courteous demeanor and genial dis
position had won the friendship and respect of
our entire community, rich and poor alike
When but q years of age, Mr.. Wells was ap-
pointed a director in the then Farmers bank
of Annapolis On the part of the State, and ten
years after was chosen AS its president From
that time until the middle of this week the en-
tire community, save those in the secrets of the
bank, believed him the possessor of hundreds
of thousands Of dollars clear of the world
He was generally looked upon as the owner OF
the bank. When the news of his resignation
reached the city it was thought that he had
retired from the cares Of business with ample
fortune for himself and family. But soon
hundred-tongue0 rumor began its busy work
and when the facts were sought for, the au-
thoritieS were reiicent, only offering assur-
arce that the bank was safe At last i, was
ascertained 10 be fact that the late president
had used the money of the bank, without the
knowledge OF the directors, TO the extent of
about SIS, 0G0 all in about the last two years
lie would present the notes as passed on regu-
lar discount days, which the directors had
never seen, and the officers of the bank never
suspected that there was anything wrong about
the paper The notes which were signed with
the name Of Joshua Brown it is rumored
were without his knowledge, although il was
said that such was the confidence Mr. Brown
reposed in the president that he permitted him
to use his name whenever he desired
Immediately upon the discovery Of the irreg-
ular proceeding and before its exact extent
was known, the directors requested Mr.. Wells
for transfer of his property to the bank,
which request was Immediately complied with
Mr.. John b. Wells, second son of the late
president, also came forward and transferred
his farm TO the bank, saying that his fathers
mlsfortunes were his own. The property
mortgaged 10 the bank inclnded every thing
possessed By The family Arthur w Wells,
mayor of Annapolis, about % years of age, is
also involved TO the extent of several thousand
dollars and his notes were endorsed by mer-
tuaulS anu OlHcls VI huuapOllS, whose names
cannot be ascertained But the mortgaged
property, it is said will more than cover all,
so that parties outside the family will lose
little or nothing.
Where has the money gone? Hundreds are
ready TO give this reason and that, but the
most plausible think, might be found as fol-
lows Arthur W. Wells is the youngest son
ana the apple Of the fathers eye He was The
chief clerk in the bank and also engaged 10
the oyster packing business lie is roick-
ing, good natured and sociable fellow, unmar-
ried, full of life and gayety. At the last cor
porate election the young Democracy CON
ceived the idea of nominating him for the
may oraty He was elected His salary as
bank clerk and mayor made his income over
81, 900 per annum bnt a small sum for one of
his liberal habits. His oyster-packing estab-
lishment failed to pay, and it is rumored that
last year out of a business OF 1913, 900 not one
third was paid by parties receiving the oysters
in the West. This money had been advanced
very probably, by the father and the non-pay-
ment by the western parties made it dead loss
This winter, also, money was required, no
doubt advanced by ;he father in the hone that
the delinquents would pay and all vet
come right. BIT the end was near The
father unconsciously, perhaps, mentioned a
payment that he had made on one of the sur
replitous les aud from that cline the startling
discovery WAS made The spectacle is sad
one. Three days ago living in atfnence
esteemed rich, and lionizcd in the community
and now the picture reversed poor, by many
scorned, disowned and derided.