Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-03
MIR. BARRON's MONEY MATTERS.
Detective Heads Opinion.

DEXTER, February, /. A strong evidence
of the suicide of Mr. Barron, is the fact now
mentioned, that there was found in the bank
vault where Mr.. Barron lay, lamp and
a screw driver.
Those were not mentioned at the time OF
the tragedy, but appear now as witnesses OF
his act.
These are highly important to the suicide
store, as without the light inside the vault he
his handouts and gag. and without the screw
driver he could not have possibly locked the
vault doors from the inside
The bank officers make no definite disclos-
ures as yet concerning Mr.. Barron's accounts
but say the defalcation cannot be large. il
cannot affect the solvcncy of the bank in any
way.
The irregularities if any are alleged to have
TRANSFERRED considerable time previous to
his death. 1t is said the examination bv Mr..
Bolster, bank examiner, after the tragedy and
even more recently, didnot extend far enough
back to touch upon these transactions.
The people of Dexter refuse to believe the
new theory respecting the Dexter bank rob
berry, and it is generally agreed that while the
detective has construed some facts favorably
to his theory, the case is 10y no means fully
made out.
We subjoin such additional statements re.
speeding the mystery Of the Dexter saving,
bank robbery, as have come to hand
Three days before Barron's death the saw
ings bank in Newport, a neighboring town,
suspended. A run was then expected on tn,
Dexter bank. Barron knew that if there wa,
a run the bank must suspend. In case of
suspension the State Bank Examiner would
have to make thorough investigation. Bar.
ron's irregularities would then be learned
He could not face this, and so he committed
suicide
Among his papers were found an insurance
policy of several thousand dollars, made out
in the interest of the bank, with the note that
if any loss should accrue to the bank from
his management, they could make up the
amount out of that
The superstition in regard to the cause OF
the defalcaton is, that carrying such heavy
insurance and having but a small salary Of ,
thousand dollars, he could not support him
self and family, and had to draw money on
of the bank treasury.
Mr.. Barron was always known for his high
principles. He was one of the most respect
ed citizens of the town. Was a deacon o
the Congregational church, and prominen
Mason.
A church known as the Barron Memoria
Church" is now being erected with funds col
ected in the churches of Maine and New
England, through sympathy for his memory.
His wife has also receivce contributions from
all over the country. These amount to from
$1,000 to $4,000. The report that she was lcf
in destitute circumstances was incorrect
She received 5000 insurance on her hus
bands life.
1t will be remembered that detective +. d.
Wiggin worked on the case for severa
Hohtis. hlteT cAdHilHihR tHc Naults auu re-
ceiving the benefit of all the information il
the possession of the bank officials, the de
tective said the job had undoubtedly beer
done by professionals, claiming at the sam,
time that he could find out who they were
From that time until the middle of last Au
gust, he was employed in investigating the
matter, and thought he had clue, but it fail
ed him.
Mr. 4. F. Bradbury president of the banl
and the present cashier, Mr.. George Hamil
ton, have never been satisfied with the fact q
Mr.. Barron's being in the bank until i.3j Z
NJ, of Washington's birthday, and of his be
ing so busily engaged that he could find nt
time to go to his dinner.
Last November the directors discovered {
deficit of 81 900 in Mr.. Barron's accounts
BY more minute examination, the astound-
ing discovery was made that the figures and
8 in Mr.. Barron's original statement had
been erased, and the figures and substi
tuted.
1t was further discovered that in the sun
charged 10 loans on COIlatcrai securities, the
figure . had been substituted for the 0, max
ing the sum loaned appear sl2, 1880 instcat
of $40, 1880 The erasures and alteration.
had evidently been made after the statement
had been audited.
The result of these discoveries only served
to confirm the opinions already entertained
by the president and cashier, that the bank
had not been robbed by professional thieves
Other alterations were subsequently discov-
cred, but the mattnr was kept very quiet, foi
obvious reasons.
A meeting of the directors was called and
resulted in laying the whole matter befor,
Hon. L. A. Emery, attorney general ut that
time. Upon his recommendation, the ser
vices of Detective Albion =. Dearborn OF
Boston were called into requisition.
The reasoning which led the detective to
conclude Mr.. Barron suicidcd, we have al
ready given.
The first suspicious circumstance appeared
to be that the trays in which the cash wa.
kept still contained the sum of Sis wher