New-York tribune., 1880-01-10
A DEFAULTER AND ASUICIDE

CATIoN-AN ASSIGNMENT MADE BY HIS SONS
CLAIMS OF rHE MERCHANTS EXCHANGE BANK.
The frauds committed by Benjamin c. Bogerr,
of which TIE TRIBUNE alone published an ac-
count yesterday, caused great surprise among
those who knew him, and marked excitement in
business circles. 1t has been found that his
death was due to laudanum, and that he COM
mitted suicide in house of evil reputa-
ton. The discovery was made yesterday
that in addition to the sums taken by
him from the bank account OF the
Produce Exchange he had stolen the interest
on registered bonds belonging to the Ex.
change. The total amount of the frauds
thus far disclosed is about $4,000.
His sons, who were associated with him
in business, made an assignment yesterday.
Mr.. Bogert's property has been attached ia
satisfy claims of over 100000, made by
the Merchants Exchange Bank, of which he
was director.
WHAT FURTHER INQUIRY DISCLOSED.
EXCITEMENT CAUSED BY THE EXPOSURE OF THH
FRAUDs-INTEREsT ON BOSDs srOfEN-How THH
DEFAULrER TOOK HIS OWN IIFE--AITACRMENTs
on HIS PROPERTY
The full report of the defalcatiOn Of Benjamin {.
Bogert, Treasurer of the Produce Exchange, pub
lished exclusively in THE Tribune yesterday.
made a great stir in mercantile circles particularly
among the $500 members Of the Produce Tx
change Except for the fact that the details wero
gwen SO exhaustvely and accurately. and on un-
impeachable authority, the story might have been
discredited at first. The members OF the Exchange
and others could hardly believe it possible that
man of such excellent reputation, OF
record without a stain in general opinion. man
,oT cd and trusted
long could be guilty of such a crime. On the ferry
boats, the horso-cars, the elevated trains, among
business men, the one question was asked: " Have
YOU read THE TRBUNEp Other papers were
thrown aside and boys were sent to the news-standS
for copies OF The TRIBUNE, but in most cases were
unable to obtain any. The answer was. " All sold
Have got all the other papers,"
President Hincken and other members OF tho
Board Of Managers of the Exchange, when asked X
The TRIBUNE story was correct in all its parts,
answered that il was most complete and accurate,
and little could be added to 1t until further dis
coyeries were made, except as to the cause OF MT.
Bogert's death 4 meeting of the Board OF Managers
was held IN the morning, when a report
was made from the Finance Committee OF the
nrooress Of the Investigation. This report con-
tanned the facts published in yesterdays TRIBUNE;
that Mr. Bogert was defaulter TO the extent OF
:. Low
Finance Committee at its meetings by,Mr. Bogert.
IVES 4 bogus one the deposits and balances being
entered in the same manner as at the bank by MI.
Bogert The committee also reported that Samuel
Jacoby, one OF its members, had been appointed
Treasurer of the Exchange until the vacancy could
be filled by special election.
After the adjournment of the Board the Finance
Committee made further investigation of Nlr. Boz
gerts accounts and found that the interest on the
registered bonds due January l, 1880, and amOunt-
inc 10 SO 3GO. had been collected by Mr. Bogert,
who had failed TO credit it TO the Exchange. This
will make the total amount of defalcation proyid-
ing no other Irregularities are discovered, aDout
S3L $50. 1t is believed. as stated yesterday, thao
the irregularities in bir. Bogerts accounts ex-
tend back three or four years. but how he
has used this money is still matter of doubt,
although there were various ahoat Of specu-
lations in grain, expenses attending political aspi
rotions and of money wasted in dissipation. The re-
mort bout dissipation found few believers until it
was discovered that Mr.. Bogert died i'll house Of
bad reputation.
There was also much hesitation in believing that
Mr., Bogert had committed suicide until
tbe evidence at the Coroner's inquest
showed that lie had taken laudanum.
Notice of his death was seat TO the Exchange as
usual in the case Of members, and the customary
display of flags at half-m was made. The MEM
bers seemed to neglect business, and gathered IN
groups on the floor OF the Exchange. where they
discussed the subject, and many uttered
expressions OF sadness rather than OF
censure for tho disgrace which Mr.. Bogert had
brought upon himself lie had been so popular ana
so much esteemed by his brother members that
had he not committed suicide. he would probably
NOT have been prosecuted Notwithstanding the iact
ir. had been authorized to take proceeding' attach
the property of Mr. Bogert and had already en-
ployed two of Pinkertons detectives on thursday
MANNER OF Mr. BoGiRTs DEATH.
Mr.. Bogert's absence from home Wednesday even-
ing was the first intmaton that any OF the family
had Of the condition of affairs which led 10 his sui
eide. and on Thursday morning H. NJ. Bogert' one
of the sons was greatly surprised when he learned
that his father was lying dangerously Ill at tho
bonse of Mrs Ackerman, No. 13i East Twenty
secuud-st The son Immediately went 10 DIS
fathers bedside which was in a small back room
on the top floor of the house. Beside him was sl>-
ounce bottle which had contained hudanum and
was emptied. 1t was labelled - Hall Ruckel,"
and was identified rs one of the bottles
| of that firm Though Mr.. Bogert was
n renlar customer. none of the clerks rencmo'ren
having sold him the laudanum. MI. Doger was
| unconscious when servant went to call MN ior
breakflst on Thursday morning. and DIR. +. IS Bel
den vas summoned. lie Immediately applied mus
tard plasters, aud gave brandy and hypeider-
mic injections of belladonna. These remedies
failing, Drs. Lewis A., Charles and II. IL. sayre
were sent for. They admin stored rcstora-
tiyes. but to no effect. Mr. Bogcrt hn-
oered until about . o'clock Thursday afternoon,
when he died. A mes ,enger was Immediately sent
| IN UacLensack to carry the intelligence 10 the
| family OF the dead man. The messenger reached
the BogerJ residence about o'clock. ana rushing
| mast one of Pinkcrton's detectives, and into tho
front door of the house, delivered his message.
The following facts in regard to Mr.. Bogcrrs life