Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-03-06
SPECULATION LEADING TO ROBBERY
a trusted County Treasurer IN Norwslk,
ohio, Disappears with 100000 OF
the County Fands.


Like thuuder clap out of a clear sky
fell upon the community of Norwalk, o.,
Wednesday morning the announcement
| that the treasury of Huron county had
| been robbed of its funds, and that Treas.
urer Martin o. Van Fleet had suddenly
disappeared from the city, leaving no clue
| whereby his movements could be traced
| The truth was slow to force itself upon
| the minds of those who for years had
| reposed the utmost confidence in Mr.. Van
Fleet, and not until a thorough examina-
ton and report had been made by the
county commissioners was the public
convinced.
Treasurer Van Fleet has been absent
from his office and the city since last
Saturday, and this, together with the fact
that the vault was locked and the keys
gone, gave rise to the suspicion which
resulted in tho discovery Wednesday of
| shortage of 100000 to $50, 900. On
Thursday last Mr. Van Fleet went to
| Columbus to settle with State Treasurer
Brady, taking with him sl9 460.0i. A
telegram sent by the commissioners
elioited tho information that the amount
was properly paid over. The treasurer
returned to Norwalk and was seen Satur.
day evening by several persons, but
since taat time no trace of him can be
| fonnd.
The county commissioners came to
Norwalk on Monday for their usua
meeting, and, being unable to open the
safe, ascertained that Mrs. Van Fleet
knew the combination. With her assis-
tince the safe was opened aud the shortage
discovered. The funds of the city are
safe, being a deposit on the Norwalk
national bank. The Norwalk schoo
district funds are also safe, having beer
drawn out by Treasurer Boughton.
| Mr.. Vau Fleet was treasurer of the
Presbyterian church society, and had $l0O
of the church funds in his possession,
which was found in the safe untouched
| All other funds were carried off entire.
Tho general opinion is that the money wai
taken away last week, and is, by this
time, safe in Canada with the abscondinl
treasurer. OF MIR. Van Fleets bondsmen
thirty-five in number, all but four live il
Wakeman. and the sheriff went thither TO
day to notify them of the robbery. TIL,
bond is for Sl50,0OO, amply securing tn,
county, as the bondsmen are perfect,
good. Some of them will DO nanciall,
ruined and others will never be able L
recover the lost ground.
Probate Judge Kinnan appointed ID. A
Baker, Jr. cashier of the First nationa
bank to make an examination OF the SAT,
and he found only s274.04 in money
Among the papers found was evidenc
that draft for $10, 900 drawn by Bostol
wheat house had been paid by Mr.. Va
Fleet. The inference is, therefore, draw
that he had been specializing in grain
The commissioners are considering tht
appointment of Van Fleets successor. N
reward has yet been offered for tho ap
prehensioa Of the fugitive.
The absconding treasurer leaves behin
a wife aud three daughters we'll nigh dis
tracted with grief. Mrs. Van Fleet say
that her husband left her Saturday night
saying that he was obliged to go to Mead
vile, Pa tn transact some business 70
his sistor, aud he remarked, as he CAV
her the keys to the office, that If anythin
, happened to him she should impart I
the commissioners the combination Of th
safe.
Ga the heels of the robbery comes til
: crash of the firm Of Van Fleet Brothers
of Wakeman, whose doors are now CLOSED
I and all goods taken possession Of by I'll
Norwalk national bank to secure a claii
of 80, S02, the amout Of q mortgage hel
/ by the bank. Late Wednesday evenin
! tho Huron county banking company, alt
of WakemaD, got out an attachment Q
the balance of the property.