Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-10-20
Woodward the Boston Defaulter

John A. Woodward is about 80 years of
age, of medium height, weighs about $50
pounds. is well built though not very muscu-
| lar. has dark complexion. dark eyes. dark
hair and a coal black beard. which he did not
shave but wore clipped. He has always been
supposed to be ? bachelor. a superstition that
was strengthened by the fact that he resided
with his parents on Harris avenue, Jamaica
Plain. He stood well socially. and WAS a
member. and for some time a trusted tinan-
cial officer of prominent city club. His
devotion to business was often the subject of
remark and the fact is now recalled that he
never took a regular vacation, but coEtented
himself with an occasional trip TO New York,
leaving Saturday night and returning Mon
day morning. His chief recreation was yacht
ing, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
| For some time past it has been known to
Woodward's acquaintance that he was at
tached to lady whose residence has been
variously stated as in New York and Phila-
delphia, and his frequent visits to the former
CITY have often been the cause of jests at his
expense These latter were aware that the
lady in question was Miss Amy knowlton.
who had theatrical aspirations, and hoped to
become ''star' at no distant day. 1t is said
Mr. Woodward has paid the expenses of her
instruction in elocution and acting and in
tended sending her abroad to complete her
theatrical education. She is at present in
| Boston.
The deficit of 49, 900 in the City Treasury
caused by the operations of John A. Wood
ward, the cashier, is the principal topic of
conversation about town this morning, and at
City Hall, when it was known that there was
an irregularity of some kind, the large amount
which has been stolen has caused such a SEN
sation as has not been known in City Hall
circles since the days of the Collins embez-
element. The trustees of the sinking fund,
the Committee on Finance, the Mayor. City
Solicitor Healy and several other gentlemen
had consultation this forenoon at the office
of the CITY Treasurer, when twas announced
that the books had been thoroughly examined.
and there was reason to suppose that the de-
felt would not greatly exceed $50, 900, the
amount already given as the sum stolen by
Woodward. There are several accounts
smaller in amount than the city and sinking
funds. These are also kept by Woodward,
and have not vet been examined but the
| Treasurer and his assistants have very care
fully examined the large accounts with the
result which was announced to the committee.
The police inspectors who have been busy
for day or two in investigating the case,
succeeded last evening in finding Miss Amy
Knowlton, or Mrs. Woodward. She went to
WOodward's house at Jamaica Plain. it is
said. on Friday, and represented that she was
| Woodward's wife. but was told by Wood
wards relatives that the statement was IN
true, and would not be accepted as true I'M
/ less she could produce marriage certificate
1t is said that she forthwith drew a paper
from her pocket, which, upon inspection,
proved to be a regularly drawn certificate to
the effect that she had been married to Wood
ward, and consequently was his wife.
| The certificate produced some little aston
ishment as it was not suspected by his rela-
tives that Woodward was married. Last
evening the police inspectors conducted the
woman to the Office of Chief Inspector Ham,
when she was questioned concerning Wood
ward. her knowledge of his money affairs and
his present whereabouts, but she protested
ignorance on all of these subjects, and so far
there is no reason for the supposition that her
professions were false. Indeed, the police
authorities are of the opinion that she knows
very little concerning Woodward's transac-
tions, and that what little she DDS know does
not connect her in the least with his crimes.
She acknowledged she had a safe in one of
the deposit vaults in this city but up to the
present time the police have not obtained the
key to the safe, and consequently do not
know the contents.
The defaulter, Woodward, up to noon to-
day had not been found, and it was thought
that he had made his way to New York by
the Fall River line. Woodward's salary was
$1,000 per annum up to the time of the last
reduction, when it was cut down to S24OO.
| His bondsmen are Nelson Curtis, $4,000; R.
s. Young, $1,000; Nathaniel Seaver, $4,000;
Geo. Harris, $1,000; Alexander Dickson,
$1,000, and Henry Beckwith $1,000, making a
total of $4,000. The police inspectors had
Woodwards photograph copied yesterday,
and to-day large number of copies with the
description of Woodward was sent out to the
various police headquarters throughout the
| country TyUrsIIer Nth