The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-07-11
FESSLER'S DEFALCATION
FEATHER, THE ASSISTANT, TELLS
WHAT HE KNOWS.
Sixty Thousand Dollars About the Total Of the
steal-The BOndsnlen Don't Want to
D Mako 1t Up.
(From the Cleveland Herald,)

D Make 1t Up.
-N
(From the Cleveland Herald)
Canton, Ohio, July 1'-George Fessler Is q man
Of German descent, full faced, brown hair, and
forty seven years old about five feet eight inches
tall, slight beard, and said to be quite handsome,
yet there is lack Of lrmness in his features that
betokens plant disposition and irresolute will,
He was "hail fellow well met and always
TO set 'em up for the boys, and showing favors
where he never looked for return, For long
time he did grocery (wet business in the city,
and in consequence of his ruinous way of becOm.
ing friends with all filed several edgers with ac
counts that were worthless, In fact, II is said,
that If a man could not get credit anywhere else,
all he had to do was to go to Fesser and his goods
would be forthcoming In settling his own bust
ness he was just as careless. When he had dol
lar that was on hand, 1t went to the first opportu
nifty, regardless of any existing monetary obliga-
tions he not thinking that a settling day would
ever come, While engaged in merchandising he
was induced by Mr.. Uriah Feather, an ex.Treas-
urer, and director In the city bank, to do his i.
nancial business with that institution, and did it
so eiieCMally that his account was always over
drawn in amounts varying from ST. 900 to $4,000,
and at one time reached Sl2 600, which caused the
stockholders to protest at directors meeting. But
Mr. Feather had such an implicit trust in him
that he said he would assume all risks, By Fess
ler's easy mode Of doing business with customers
he became flush Of friends, and four years ago ran
for Treasurer ON the Democratic ticket, which he
obtained and took possession Of the books and
accounts, which were reported all right He fill
ed the Office for two years, to the satisfaction of
the county, apparently, as he was rec elected Mr..
Feather, being an old Treasurer was called in to
make an examination Of the books, and since re-
ported correct cash balance and all elte square.
Last winter, however, upon making an examina
ton there was found to be shortage in the neigh
borhood of s25OOO, which amount had been loan
ed to parties, and in various other sinuous ways
wriggled away. This was nut to crack for his
| bondsmen, which they proceeded TO do with com.
| mendable alaCrty and appointed committee of
six to go through the accounts, with the result of
| finding the above mentioned deficit. Then upon
extreme and persistent solicitations on the part of
| the bondemen $50 he says Mr., Feather consented
to step in the office with power to dictate how the
thing was to be run and thus protect the boz dS-
| men. By his own declaration he was virtually
| the Treasurer as he had charge of the business
| for the past few months and all knew his authori.
| ty. He says that Fessler loaned great deal out
while he was there, but he never knew any
| thing about 1t until he saw the notes In the
| drawer
We went to see Mr. Feather on Sunday, and
| found him comfortably reclining on hammock
under the trees in his yard. He gave a descrip-
| ton of the manner in which the timelock was
changed and the cash taken; and, shaking his
head mirthfully and rubbing his hands, said By
George he was too smart for for all ofus. used
to think that he was not shrewd, but he fooled us
| all. Just see how he fixed that time.lock Now,
| l don't know anything about how 1t works, but he
| Qaughing) was posted, I am one Of the bonds
men, and am ready to pay my share when know
what 1t is. 1t is rough on u.s. but we must do it,
In answer to the query why he had 80 much faith
in Fessler, he said "Why, bless you, I've known
George for number of years. Why, l sold him
some building lots, and he always met his pay
ments promptly; and to show you the utter conf
dence had in the man. when he was doing bust
ness at the City Bank became personally respou.
sbe for his overdrawn balance, amounting to 49,.
900 or $40 O00 as my partners were afraid of it, and
when we divided up the stock took that as part
of my share, and, boys, he paid every dollar of
It."
us it true, Mr. Feather, that Fesser was poor
and involved when he went into office"
"Yes, sir"
"How is it then that he was able to pay you 49,
900 few days after taking his seat, and the entire
balance within sixty days atterward, all out Of a
S2 900 splary ?"
II don't know anything aboutit, sir. received
the money, and 1t was none of my business to
know how he got 1t; and another thing l know q
good many things that you will not find out now,
but If am placed on the stand l will speak right
out and 1t may hurt some"
He then gave history of how he was appointed
to act for the bondsmen, and said he did not want
to go, but they (the bondsmen) just begged and
implored him to go, as he was the only one fit to
take charge and said he: II told George and
the rest that l would only go in on the condi.
ton that the entire Office be conducted as said,
and that no money be loaned out unless l knew
It,"
"Then you were actually the Treasurer"
"No; l was only acting for the bondsmen."
"How then is 1t that large sums of money were
given out ON loan without your protestP
II did not know Of 1t till saw the memoranda
in the drawer"
WAS that using the bondsmen right after
you discovered that such transactions were going,
on, and you could not prevent them, not to tell
them 2'
a did tell them many times and said wanted
to be relieved as George would do nothing told
him. and declined any further espOnsiOility but
they would not relieve me-"
Did the bondsmen take any steps to secure the
deficiency of last winterT
"Yes sir They Immediately had Fessler sign
over all his property to us, and stated to them
then that an assessment OF, at the outside, 81 900
apiece would straighen that matter, and we were
working to save his property, and would have
done so If he had served out his term"
"In what way could he redeem his property and
square the balanceT The question was evident
ly not heard After some desultory conversation
the inqusitors withdrew. Mr.. Feather Is an ur.
bane, softly spoken gentleman, who in years past
occupied the Treasurers Office and is still inter-
ested in court house affairs and by his own state
meut would be an important witness to show
the taxpayers by what kind Of legerdemain
their hard earned shekles took unto themselves
wings.
Mrs Fessler was next interviewed and stated
that she had heard nothing Of her husband since
he left did not know he was going; had signed
away all their property last winter and left her
and the children without penny or a roof over
ther heads She looked -careworn, and while
making her statements in modest, lady-like way
| her white lips quivered and she appeared deeply
conscious Of the deadly blight that has stricken
her household. Several prominent men state that
there is a woman in the case who resided in CleVe
land, and that 1t was at her instigation that he
decamped. The Auditor completed his statement
| on Sunday evening, showing that S208,000 are to
be accounted for, and this amount, less vouchers
cash on hand, etc., In the Tressurer's Office will
show the actual defalcatl0n. Mr.. Creeeh Assistant
| Auditor, to whom am indebted for many courte.
Sizes stated that an approximate conjecture would
| place the sum at sixty thousand dollars, but
would furnish detailed and official statement as
soon as possible
| .----ss--.
A BALL OF FIRE FROM THE SKY.