The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-07-25

silence touching his crime. From the de-
teCtives here learned that he had given
London lawyer named Rock 81 900 for
the very gratifying advice to him that he
was safe from the United States law. II
is also understood that Rock has taken
charge Of Zeller's money and has invest
ed it in his own name, and Zeller, per-
sonally, has made no public disposition
of his funds as far as known. | was told
that it would be impossible to have q
conversation with Zeller, and 30 1t was
with little hope that l sent to his room
| for an interview. was surprised in q
moment to see HIM enter the hotel read
ing room and come toward me with a
pleasant greeting and an open palm.
Sitting by an open window together
we talked over the circumstances of Mr.,
Zeller's flight, and from him received a
plain statement of his case, such as has
not been given before. l had been told
by the detectives that Zeller had at one
time expressed willingness to settle
with the bank directors in Tiffin, but that
latterly he had positively refused to con.
slider any proposition, and had resolved
to remain in London and live on his
money. He talked differently to me.
"As to the matter of which you spoRe,"
he said, referring to my inquiry touching
his future plans, II am not prepared to
say anything" and he then proceeded to
give me the information which sought
"The fact is," he continued, ~ am now
negotiating settlement and hope that
everything will be fixed up; my lawyer
left here yesterday"
He told me then the story of his busi-
ness difficulties, his troubles with the
bank directors, and his subsequent flight,
iustifying his course by the alleged per-
seCutions of one or two personal enemies
in the board. He disclaimed any feeling
of vindiCtiveness, "but," he continued,
"the men who should have stood by me
when was little cornered, crushed me
because they had the power" and the
embezzler leaned forward in his chair
and gesticulated with exceeding vehe'
menCe. The "corner" referred to, Mr..
Zeller said, was occasioned by his hay
ing bought real estate before the panic
and holding it through the depreciation.
AS to his former record and the treat
ment be received from the directors, he
said: 81 was cashier and manager for
seven years and during that time no bank
in the country was better managed and
the stockholders received fifteen per cent.
also invested money for the directors
and did all their private business for
them, receiving $l,700 a year. 1t has
been reported that the directors offered
me $4,000 and that l said / was already
satisfied, Now that's all damned non
sense, No man is fool enough to make
such a refusal The fact is was getting
$1,70O and asked them to make it an
even 81, 800, and they refused"
Two men in particular, he said, seemed
trying to grind him, until finally, in self
protection, he was driven to the act
which hassince established his residence
in the Dominion. Mr.. Zeller appeared
to feel that he had been very much
wronged by reward being placed upon
his head, and his description sent all
over the country, and thought that the
newspaper notoriety accorded him was
altogether unjust. As for his past repu-
tation, and since his voluntary exile he
had received over eighty letters from bu-
siness aCquaintances in Tifin, expressing
sympathy.
In parting with Mr.. Zeller he remark.
ed that he didn't know as he cared about
anything more in the papers, and as
sured him that his feelings in the matter
were perfectly natural under the circum-
stances.