The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-29
4 DisSraced Bank-Treasurer.
Ell c. BLODGET, OF PROVIDENCE, A FL
GITIYE TROM JTSTICE.

SAMUEL c. BLODGET, OF PROVIDENCE, FU-
GITIvE FROM JUSTICE.
4 Providence, r. l., telegram OF Thurs
day saws: Tomorrow morning the resi-
dents Of this city will be surprised by the
announcement that one OF the best known
men IN Rhode Island, member OF one OF
the proudesJ families In the state, and 4
man until very recently holding a very re-
sponsibe place OF trust. is q fugitive from
Justice rs a deiaulter. twas three months
ago that a f1mor became current in
business circles that SamuelC. BlOdget, the
treasurer OF the Providence Institution for
Savings. the richest and oldest bank IN the
State. had been deposed for a breach Of
trust. The cause OF BlOdgeis removal was
so skiliully enyeloped in secrecy that no
proof u bis alleged malieasence in office
could be obtained by the reporters until
this evening. when a leak in judicial circles
gave the thing away. Ii is now learned
that Blodgei, who had been in the employ
OF the institution for thirty-seyen years,
and was q most accomplished nnancler.
was detected in the latter part OF Septem-
her Of this year in Il petty error N his ac-
counts. The discrepancy was ofyery slight
account. still there was something about Ii
which did not look right 10 the assistant
treasurer. and he deemed il right TO re-
quest the Finance Board TO ask for an eX-
PLANTATION. Blodget gave one which was
unsatisfactory, and being pressed he con-
iessed that the error was not one OF acct
dent. lie was suspended from Office that
dav. and an Investigation OF his accounts
was had.
In the course OF the inquiry it was
learned that the high-minded. emineDtlv
respectable. white-headed treasurer had
since 1866 and up TO this fall engaged in n
system Of petty siealings, the aggregate Of
which did not exceed $1,000. Blodget,
protesting that this was the full extent Of
ms gecIlations, was permitted to 20 I'M
prosecuted mainly on account OF his eX-
cellent family and bis long term OF service.
Within a few weeks after his removal the
Financc Board discovered, rs they thought,
that 1000 in interest was overdue from the
city OF Boston. They wrote 10 the authori-
ties T. make the collection, and were in
formed that Mr.. Blodcet had received and
Teeeipted for the money. Further eXami-
nation u the books was then had, when it
was ascertained that Blodget had received,
hut never made a record Of, the interest
money from the city Of Boston in $1,000
instruments, and amounting altogether 10
sl5,0GC. 4 warrant was then sworn out
by Colonel William Goddard. president OF
the institution. charging Blodget with the
deiacation Of $4,000.
An attempt was made to serve the war
rant, but Blodget, who had got wind OF
the intended arrest, skipped from here To
Boston, and thence, as it Is believed, 10
Canada. He is sixty years OF age, and Is
thouuh, Ia have used the money in fancy
Aspeculniye schemes which melted him no.
Tkhing. This i one OF the banks holding
the Amos ID. Smith a Co. paper; but from
what is learned tonight the old Providence
is secured by the endorsement OF the only
solvent branch Of the house. There was
report tonight that Blodgets deficit wa
So, 900, but this Is cmphatieally denied Ds
the bank officers. The bank has quick AZ
sets sufficient to meet all claims, ana mas
surplus Of Sl,000,00O.