Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-01
A GOOD MAN GONE WRONG.
THE TREASURER OF ALABAMA
CAUGHT ON COTTON.

A Quarter of Million of STATE Funds
Lost on "Futures''-Gonet to New York
for His Money-The Treasury Investi-
gated-Track of the Defaulter Lost
The Deficit Covered by Ample Bond.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, Jan. 31.-The COM
mittee to examine the books and accounts
OF state Treasurer Vincent. were to be-
gin the examination yesterday. Vincent
left the city on Monday night. A letter
from him to his chief clerk. was de-
ilvered to the latter yesterday afternoon
and was laid before the Governor. Vincent
said he was behind but was going to New
York to get money, which the letter indi-
Gated he had loaned. An examination of
the cashiers and other books late last
night shows that Vincent specuIated
largely in cotton futures. The deficit as
far as can be gathered at this time is be-
tween $225, 900 and $4,000 The Govern
or sends message on the subject to the
Legislature.
Vincent left Monday night, by what
train is not known. The ticket agent at
the railroad office did not know him. and
All the conductors who went have re-
ti Turned; and cannot tell anything about
MIN. None OF them know him. The Gov
ern0r will offer large reward. and has
sent kilograms to all large cities. Vim
cent is hye feet ten inches high. brown
halr, beard full and long, with mustache
has very bad teeth and scar on his fore
mead, from wound in battle. The Gov
ernOr sent to the Legislature the follow
ing message:
To the Senate and House of ReDresent0-
tires: 1t becomes my painful and mortify
ing duty to inform you that Isaac Fl. Vim
cent, treasurer of the State, is short in
ms accounts, and has left the CITY. This
TACT was made known by Vincent in the
i0ll0wlng letter to Mr.. A. ID. Crawford q
clerk IN his office, dated the 29th instant.
winch was received by Mr.. Crawford ON
the afternoon of the Both instant. and was
communicated to me at $50 p. IN. of that
day: ''''''
STATE OF ALABAMA, TREASURY DE-
PARTMENT, MONTGOMERY. Jan. % 1884
Dear Crawford: L find this evening that
my money is not here, neither has II been
paid over to the Importers and Traders
Bank as promised. | leave for New York
TO stralghten the whole matter. / have
perhaps waited too long, and will be cen
sured, but | have no idea of running
away. L wish you would assist the COM
mlttee, and after the balance is ascer
tanned ask them to wait a day and teIe
graph me, care of Fred. Wolfe, New York
IL anything happens to me l wish to state
emphatlcally and positively, that being
behind IN my cash is my own fault. and
that you have had nothing to do with il.
your friend, l. III. VINCENT"
The amount of Vincents defalcation
can only be ascertained after a careful
examination of the Treasurer's books
ana careful count of the money in the
Treasury, but hurried and partial in
vestlgatiOn indicates that it is more thans
S2OO,OOO. 1t is not known by what train
or in what direction Vincent left Mont
gomery. Means have been adOpted to
intercept and detain him if possible. 1t
is believed that the State is largely Sc
cured against ultimate loss. The two
houses will have communications deliy-
cred to them from time to time of anv
turther information that comes into nv
hands. f. A. O'NEAI.
Governor.
Large sums of money sent to Fred.
W0lfe, supposed to be for dealings in
cotton, have been traced up, and Vincent
dealt also, it is supposed, with other cot
ton houses.
The legislative committee has now
counted the money in the Treasury vault
and found $120,000. The deficit is 1927, 600
and is amply secured by good bondsmen.
1t is developed that the money was taken
IN the last two years, and nearly all be-
fore November last. Vincent, according
to the statement by a witness made be-
fore the committee, lost over 100000 in
cotton through one house, Fred. Wolffe's.
and some through others. 1t is surmised
thst he may have loaned some, although
no evidence to that effect has been shown.
There has been some talk since he
bought a new house, rich furniture and
carriage and horse. The Governor has
taken charge of the keys of the Treasury
for the present. The default will not in
terfere with the States business in the
least, nor cause any interruption in the
regular payment of warrants. The jan
uary interest is all paid.