St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-17
UNCONFIRMED RUMORS
That D. E. Swan Has Decamped, q
Defaulter.
Head Clerk in the N p Local Treasurer's
Office.

TWAS reported in local railroad circles yester-
day that Mr.. D. E. Swan, head clerk in the treas
urers Office of the Northern Pacific Railroad
company, had defaulted to the extent of several
thousand dollars and that his present where
abouts were unknown. The startling intelligence
was received with surprise by the friends of
Mr.. Swan and by those who
had known him as gentleman
of undoubted integrity, the news OF his lapse
from recttude was regarded as wholly without
foundation. Mr.. Swan has been trusted en-
ploye of the company for two years, and up to
the present time his official career has been with
out stain or blenish. He was first employed in
the auditors office of the road and subsequently
transferred to the Office of the local treasurer
where he held the important trust of cashier.
Recently he held the position of chief clerk IN
the treasurer's Office.
In connection with the report of the defalca-
ton an ugly rumOr set going to the effect
that he had attempted suicide, and that he had
afterwards skipped ont in company with wom-
an. So far as Investigated last night both the
above reports without foundation.
Mr.. Swan is u man OF family,ss possessing a
charming wife and Ave lovely children, to all of
whom he was greatly devoted
mour Of his dctal. ;rion GLOBE reporter last
evening re My i - the residence of Mr.. San
born, treasure OF the company
who resides on 1gehart street.
that gentleman was found in pleasant and com
municatiye mood, but with regard to his state
ments he was very guarded. He said that Mr..
Swan had been dismissed on the first of the
month on an order from Vice President Oaks
His removal weighed heavily on his mind as he
had been greatly detected. AS to the shortage in
his accounts Mr. Sanborn said that while
there might exist deficit, nothing had been dis
covered but what might be explained or cleared
up by Mr.. Swan. Regarding any absolute short
age he refused to commit himself. In explana-
ton he said that Mr. SWANS figures were some
times obscure and contradictory, and on this
count 1t was impossible to say whether his cash
was short or not.
The reporter then called at the family residence
OF Mr.. Swan on Robert street. The house was
found dark and deserted, and in reply to an en-
quiry his next door neighbor stated that the fam
lily were all at White Bear lake.
With regard to the report OF attempted suicide,
DR.. Eastman, the family physician, was seen.
The physician stated that he had attended Mr..
Swan last Saturday and on Monday. He APP
peared to be in mental agony and suffering from
nervous prostitution. As nearly as could be
certaned, the doctor thought that he had takeu
an overdose of hydrate of choral, but he had not
heard that II had been taken with suicidal intent.
The theory of woman In the case is secuted as
absurd. 1t was not ascartained last night
whether Mr.. Swan is with his family at White
Bear lake or not. The railroad officials deny that
he had used the funds OF the corporation to spec
ulate on the Wall street stock exchange.
IL Is understood that an investigation Is being
made as to his accounts and to his whereabouts,
and 1t is expected that the matter will be cleared
up one way another to-day. In the
meantime his friends desire that the public exer-
else charitable judgment until the truth is
known