Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-13
DIR. Warren's View of the Dexter
Tragedy.

DR.. Warren, editor Of the Christian Mir
ror, visited Dexter and investigated the Dcx-
ter tragedy to his entire satisfaction. The
conclusions to which he arrived are as fol-
lows:
1.-The alleged defalcation is said to appear
On the books in two places-in an entry of
5000 charged off to no particular account to
balance the books in October, 1871; and in
various cash items, including Il $500 bond and
amounting altogether to $1,000, missing after
Mr.. Barron's death.
DIR. Warrens attention was first directed to
the matter of $1,000. He found that on the
I'd Of July, 1875, Mr.. Barron drew his per-
sonal note for $1,000, payable in five years
with interest at per cent, in favor of the
Dexter Savings Bank, and assigned life in
surance policy for $1,000 in the Berk shire
Company of Pittsfeld Mass, to the bank as
collateral security for the note. A memoran-
.iam on the back of the note explained that
this transaction was intended to secure the
bank, in ease of his death, from any loss up
on loans by 4he bank, but added that he did
not then know ~ any loss likely TO occur ex-
eept on railroad bonds and on certain mort
gage, which the trustees had advised, and for
Which they were responsible as well as him
self; but, he said, they were not under pay.
and II any loss was incurred he wished the
note 10 make it good
fhe trustees Of the bank knew nothing OF
this generous act, until the note and the in
suranee policy were found in the safe after
Nr. Barren's death. Some time after the note
was executed, II appears to have occurred 10
him that ne had no right to omit thu. item
from his sworn statement Of the assets of the
bank and he added $1,000 accordingly To the
loan account, at the same time adding $1,000
20 the reserve fund to balance the account
This was correct, since the bank was rcall,
so much the better off than had previousl,
appeared. The record of this transaction
DIR. Warren says. e. not the record of :
defacation but of gift 10 the bank.
As to the missing cash items. the explana
ton is easy and natural. The treasurer wa
murdered by robbers. What would be thu
natural inference about missing cash Tina
the thieves took ii. Ii is perverse ingenni
~ which endeavors to show that the murdered
man robbed the bank. Not only this sum u
about $1,000 was missing, but Il large pockci
book belonging to Mr.. Barron and containinp
about Sli00 of his own money, The extra.
ordinary hypothesis has been started that he
destroyed tins pocket-book himself--Aurnrd
il, in order 10 ''coyer his tracks" The plain
story appears upon the surface Of the affair.
Inc treasurer, WHO tbfee years before, had
voluntarily secured the bank from loss fnt
which he was in no way responsible wa muir.
dered while defending his trust The robber.
did BOT gain entrance to the safe, but the,
robbed him Of 81 100 and the bank Of slGOf
more, escaping with s2700 They are still a,
large, and Sze trustees, year later begin 10
hint that the bank was robbed bv the faithful
treasurer.
Dr Warren saws that 4he people of Dex,ey
are greatly mystified. bat ssne of them
avowed the belief that Mr.. Barron MAS 2 de-
fsulter. #E.h