Daily Los Angeles herald., 1879-12-05
A Grievous City Transaction.

The news was spread about town
yesterday that City Tax Collector
Hamilton had absconded with a
sum which Is variously reported as
aggregating from ten to twenty
thousand dollars. The official news
Of this defalcation was only known
about town at about 2 p. NJ. yester-
day, and caused the most intense
excitement amongst our popula-
tion.
| All the circumstances connected
with this case seem to point to q
criminal exit Of our Tax Collector.
Yet, as he was In very bad health,
1t is proper that, until all investi-
cations are made, we consider him
as innocent Of any crime, and it
may be that Mr.. Hamilton is now
prostrated on sick bed, in the
country, unable to send word to his
relatives OF his helpless condition. (?)
| However, his accounts are not
square; and, for a man who pro-
claimed it his ambition to keep
daily accounts, it must be said that
they look decidedly "fshy.n
Last evening it was discovered
that he had collected at least $751;
on Saturday, which sum is in no
way accounted for; and it was
further alleged by parties who
seem to have knowledge Of the
case, that defalcations have been
going on for some time.
Mrs. Hamilton is not aware of
her hu bands whereabouts. He
said he was going to see man
named Pease on Saturday night,
and that is the last that has been
seen Of the Collector. Mr.. Briefly,
who knows Pease, and was at his
house, telegraphed that Pease had
left his place some days ago and
had gone to Yuma. Mr.. Hamilton
was not heard of as having, in any
way. been near Pease's place; and,
therefore, something Is not right as
regards the direction he took in
leaving. 1t was asserted last night
that Hamilton had departed for
Mexico, and had been seen leaving
with a man who knows the coun-
try well, and whose name delicacy
prevents us from mentioning. II
such was the case, of course, Ham
ilton would now be able to battle
the pursuit of the authorities.
A writ of attachment was made
out yesterday against Hamilton's
bondsmen, in the sum of ten thous-
and dollars, and filed.
We understand that such of the
bondsmen who had had timely
warning rushed up to the Record
er's office with commendable ener-
gy to effect sundry transfers of real
property. This must, however, be
taken for what it is worth, and may
not be true.
We have learned since writing
the foregoing, that Mr.. Ho,lenbeck,
OF this city. met j. A. Hamilton
near Resting Springs, in company
with A. Carrillo, the fugitives aim
ing either at Utah or Sonora, either
objective point being attainable.
1t has further been ascertained
that the Tax Collector had left
with Mr.. Mackenzie, the liquor
dealer, sum of over eight thou
sand dollars on Saturday, which he
called for In the evening when he
sent the two bottles of claret to his
home. Carrillo was then waiting
for him outside, with a light spring
wagon, which, it appears, had
been bought but shortly before by
Carrillo; and, as the two have been
fast friends lately, it may be sur
missed that the necessary funds for
the purchase were furnished by
Hamilton to Carrillo. 1t is hardly
possible that the defaulter could be
overtaken now, as he has had such
start before suspicion arose; but
all our townsmen are puzzled about
the motives which may have led a
man, holding such an honorable
and lucrative position as Hamilton
did, to enter the dark ways Of the
criminal.