The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-02-07
A BIG DEFICIT.

The Treasurer OF Alabama Appropriates
s227 900 OF the States Funds and skiPs
Out.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, Jan. 3i.-There is
great excitement here. A Committee to ex-
Aamine the books and accounts Of State
treasurer Vincent were to have begun the
Examination yesterday. Vincent left the
city Monday night. A letter from him to
his chief clerk was delivered to the latter
late yesterday evening, 10 be laid before the
Governor. Vincent said he was behind, but
was going to New York to get the money,
which the letter indicated he had loaned.
An examination of the books, cashier 3
and others, late last night, showed that
\ Vincent speculated largely in cotton futures.
kThe deficit, IS far as can be gathered, is be-
4ween 1925, 600 and 100000.
Treasurer Vincent left Monday night by
what route is not known. The Governor
will offer large reward, and has sent telC-
era to the police OF all large cities
Vincent is five feet ten inches high, very
neat in dress, brown hair and beard full and
long, with mustache. He has very bad
teeth and scar on the forehead: The
Governor sent to the Legislature the follow
ing message;
To the House OF Representatives:
1t becomes my painful and notifying duty TO
inform you that Isaac Ii. Vincent, Treasurer OF
State, Is short IN his accounts and has left the
city. This fact was first made known BIZ Vincent
kin the following note 10 A. D. Crawford, clerk in
his Office, dated the 29th lust, which was re-
keived by Crawford on the afternoon Of the goth
INST and was communicated to me at $50 p m
that day:
STATE OF ALABAMA, TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
MONTGOMERY, Jan. %, 1883. J
DEAR CRAWFORD:
find this evening that my money is not here,
1 neither has il been paid over 10 the Importers
York to straighten the whole matter. l have,
kpeTbaps, waited too long and will be censuTed,
but have no idea of running away. with you
Sould assess the Commissioners and after the
balance is learned ask them % wait day and
telegraph me, care of Fred Wolfe, New York. IL
anything happens me wish TO state emphau-
caIly and positively that being behind in my
cash is my own fault and that you have had
1signed) ) wan " ]. H. VINCENT.
be sscertsined after careful examination of the
Treasurer's books and q careful count Of the
money in the Treasury, but hurried and partial
Investigation indicates that it is more than $780,
coo. 1t Is not known by what train or in what d.
rection Vincent left Montgomery Means will be
adopted to intercept and detain him II possible.
1t is believed the State is largely secured against
Tine two Houses viii have communications de-
hvered TO them from time 70 tlme OF any further
.Sslgnedj E. A. NEAL, Governor.
Large sums Of money, sent to Fred
Wolfe, supposed to be dealing in cotton,
have been traced up, and be dealt also, it is
supposed, with other cotton houses.
The Committee counted the money in the
Treasury vault. and found 1852 600. The
deficit is 1927 900, amply secured by good
bondsmen. 1t is developed that the money
was taken in the last two years, and nearly
ali before November last Vincent, by the
statement of a witness before the Commit
tee, lost over 800 600 in cotton through one
house-Fred Wolffe's-and some through
Others. 1t is surmised he may have loaned
some. There has been some talk since he
bought his house, rich furniture, carriage
and horses. The Governor has taken charge
of the keys of the Treasury. The default
will not interfere with the business of the
State in the least, or cause any interruption
TO the payment of warrants. The January
interest is all paid.
\ New YORK, Jan. 31.-The defalcation of
State Treasurer Vincent, OF Alabama, caused
Ia great surprise. Vincent has a large ac-
,he clerks in the Office of Frederick Wolfe
and extent of the business done. Wolfe
this evening refused to speak upon the sub
ylect. The Importers and Traders Bank
paid the January interest, Vincent having
Psent the money in advance as was the Gus
TOM The bank loses nothing. The police
secured the hoIels for Vincent. Although
Apot found, it is believed he is In the city.
The defalcation, il is thought, will interfer=
with the arrangements to take up the County
bonds at nineteen cents on the dollar.