The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-10
THE TRANSGRESSORS' WAY
Frank A. Vaughn Arrested for EN-.
bezSiement and Theft.
Remarkable Story of How a Heavy Short
age Was Concealed Several Months
-Vaughn's Statement.

Frank a. Vaughn, the defaultiug money clerk
of the American Express Company, an account
of whose POPULATIONS first appeared exclusively
in the Journal about three weeks ago, was ar
rested yesterday afternoon by Sheriff Hess On
an indictment from the grand jury, charging
him with grand larceny and ENLIGHTENMENT. The
story of Vaughns defalcation and his dismissal
from the employ of the company was disputed
at the time by two or three contemporaries
that is, alleged Journals published contempt
raneously-which have manifested some symp-
toms of enterprise by endeavoring to contradict
the news as it appears in the Journal
The embezzling transaction of Vaughn, as
stated in the account which first ap-
peared, were discovered by the mysterious
disappearance of $4,000 money package con-
signed to the American Express Company by the
Meridian National Bank, Of this city, for delivery
in Kansas Ill.
REMARKABLE STORY.
When 1T was discovered that the package was
missing, and that the circum stances were OF a
character which threw suspicion around the
Indianapolis money clerk, Vaughn confessed to
the company that he had taken the money
His story to the officers was to the effect that
on the 5th of last January he had several
money packages lying ON his desk. One con-
tanned $4,000, and it had been consigned by
the First National Bank of Indianapolis for de-
livered in New Castle. During a momentary
absence from his desk this package, he claimed
was stolen, and upon discovering that it was
missing when he returned he refrained from
saying anything about it's disappearance he
feared that lie would either be suspected of
having stolen 1T himself or gravely neglecting his
duty, which would cause his discharge. From
the other money packages on his desk, there
fore, he distracted sums sufficient to make the
$50U0, which forwarded to New Castle.
10 make good the deficiencies in the other PACK
no Cd full ~ ,IN1Nua ~
money from other cOnsignments until his opera
tons in this manner had covered period of
three months, when his defalcation was dis
covered by the disappearance of the $4,000 con-
signed by the First National Bank, which lost
like amount, it will be remembered,
several months ago. through the United
States Express Company, under some
what different circumstances The story is
one which Is calcui2ted TO elicit the comment
that sit is quite remark2 bie-very eXtraordi-
nary"
AN INTERVIEW WITH VAUGHN.
In an interview at the jail, last night, Vaughn
stated to Journal reporter that he could have
continued his system of abstraction and addition,
but that he had grown tired of concealing a
matter which he knew must eventually come to
light, and he determined to throw himself upon
the mercy of his employers. After relating his
story OF the manner in which the money had dis
appeared he offered to make good the loss, and
for that purpose proceeded to Fort Anne, New
York, where he had wealthy relatives, officer
OF the express company going with him. He
He found, he says, tnat his relatives did not have
the ready cash, and il could not be raised just
at the time, but he brought back with him "a
written proposition from his brother-in-law of
fering TO secure the company agalnst loss by
indorsing Vaughn's note for tine payment OF the
$1,000 IN ten years time. IL was expected that
the express company would accept these terms,
and it was Vaughn's hope that he would continue
In their employ His idea was to make pay
ments upon the note from time to time with the
money which he intended to save by economy
from his salary. The express company, however,
neither accepted nor rejected the proposition,
and gave him no satisfaction in regard to what
they intended to do. He did not. as was stated
by several contemporaries, again en-
ter the employ of the company. AT
he began seeking employment, and obtained a
was arrested.
"Did you expect to be arrested2" asked the
reporter.
that the company would yet accept my PROPOSE
ton, and little expected that they would have
me arrested had no desire to leave the city,
but wanted to go to work right here earning
the money with which intended to repay them.
The arrest is very much of surprise to me,
broken up by it,"
The manner of the prisoner a verifioation
of his words. He talked hopefully, but in tones
of despair and IL was evident thai he realized
to the fullest the grave predlcament he is in.
He will consult attorney TO day. His bond
has been fixed at $4,000, which he expresses
the hope to be able to give to-day, but from
what source the assistance is to come he has no
idea.