Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-10-14
THE ONO VIEW.
THE FESTIVE WILLARD w. HODGE.
Tho Charges of Eunbczziesncm emit
Against rEim-A Comp rori cnsivo
Statement by Parties Inter-
csted ON Huth Sides.
Special Correspondent, Buffalo Express.

PERRysDuRo, WooD COUNTY, ONO, Oct.
7.-Willard V. Way, untle OF Willard Way
Hedge, who ~ accused of embezlement
died several years ago IN this burg, lea wing
nn estate valued at about S75 900, which
oy his will was disposed Of rs follows
Five thousand dollae for n monument,
ST, 900 10 heirs, $1,000 for Union School
purposes, $4,000 for public library, and
the balance for the erection Of memorial
building, to be used MS public library and
purchase OF books; out OF which balance,
however, was to be paid to the widow of the
testator sufficient sum annually for her
support.
BY action of The Town Council, the resi-.
duary legatees, the executors Of the estate
were authorized to settle with the widow
for stipulated amount, and she immediate
ly sent for her nephew, Willard Way
Hodge, OF Buffalo, to come to Perrysbarg,
and assist her in making the settlement.
STATEMENT OF ONE OF MRS. WAYS
LAWYERS.
One OF Mrs. Ways attorneys, who is
also one OF the executors OF the estate, states
that a satisfactory settlement was effected
with the widow through her agent, w. w.
Hodge, by the payment to him of about
pAU,UUU, III bClOOl lolcuO Clty DOuuS,
bank stock, and other negotiable paper, in
ecutors, to be paid after the sale of certain
est. No claim was made by Mr. Hodge ut
that time or any subsequent time, to these
funds, otherwise than MS the agent of his
aunt, Mrs. Way. The understanding be-
tween them was to the effect that he was
to deposit these securities in place of
safety, and collect and remit the interest to
her regularly. This contract was only
partially fulfilled upon the part of the
nephew, remittances only to small amount
ever having been made to her by him.
I" Failing TO obtain any satisfaction from
him." Mrs. Ways attorney further says,
" she employed me to go to Buffalo to try
and obtain the funds, or security for the
payment for the same in the summer of
1880. Mr.. Hodge represented that lie still
held the original funds intact, but that they
were where he could not reach them. The
inference taken by me was that they had
been left somewhere as collateral security
Mr.. Hodge promised to obtain them for
his aunt within n year. and as he could give
no security for them, this promise was nc
cepted rs the best that could he done. No
remittance being received from him, and
rs there had been strong reason for suspic-
ion against him in regard to his honesty in
the matter. an indictment was found against
him by the grand jury in January last on
the charge OF embczzlement, but no arrest
WAS made. In August last, the year hav-
ing elapsed within which he was to have
made settlement, and nothing having
been received from him, / was again sent
to Buffalo t. cause Hodges arrest on the
charge OF embezzement. For the best in
,erests OF all parties, the most earnest at
tempts were made by me to obtain a set
tiement. Four weeks were spent by me
in Buffalo importuning him and trying in
every way to avert the calamity, bnt to no
avail. went TO Albany with the requisl-
tion, obtained the proper papers from the
telegraphed to Sheriff Reid to
meet'me at Buffalo. After the proper papers
were placed iu the hands of the Sheriff of
Erie county, on Monday night, l requested
that he would not make the arrest until
the following day, which request was grant
ed, and in tie meantime further attempts
were made by me to adjust the affair, but /
could accomplish nothing. These facts
are given to controvert statements that
have been made to the effect that undue
harshness was INDUCED in and injustice
done to the prisoner. The whole day was
granted the prisoner for the settlement of
his business and home matters, and during
the journey from Buffalo to Bowling Green,
- my request, no manacles were placed up
OIL him"
"At the request OF the defense, the trial
is postponed until the next term of court,
in January. There is not particle OF
doubt but that the charges will he sustain
ed against him, and that Willard Way
Hodge will be found guilty of the crime OF
embezzlement. The evidence is clear and
uncontroyertible."