St. Paul daily globe., 1884-07-17
UNC0NFIRMED RUMORS
That D. E. Swan Has Decamped, a
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 Refaulted 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 q 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 tne his official career has been with
out stain or bleInish. 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 iief clerk IN
the treasurer's Office.
In connection with The report OF the defalca-
tion ugly rumor was set going to the effect
that he had attempted suicide, and that he had
afterwards skipped out in company with wom-
an. SO far Us investigated last night both the
above reports arc without foundation
Mr.. Swan is man of fanily,ss possessing a
charming wife and five lovely children, to all of
whom he was greatly devoted.
In order to ascertain the correctness of the ru-
mour OF h- Ii cal, a,ion Il GLOBE reporter last
eyenine re9~iryd 10 the residence of Mr.. San
born, treasure of the company,
who resides on Igehart 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 ali order from Vice President Oaks.
His removal weighed heavily on his mind as he
had been greatly dojAted. 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 ac-
count il was impossible to say whether his cash
was short or not.
The reporter then called at the family esidence
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 ap-
peared TO be in mental agony and suffering from
nervous prostration. As nearly as could be as
certained, the doctor thought that he had takeu
an overdose Of hydrate of chloral, but he had not
heard that it had been taken with suicidal intent.
The theory of a woman in the case is secuted as
absurd. II not ascartained last eight
whether Mr.. Swan Is with his family at White
Bear lake OF not. The railroad officials deny that
he had used tho funds of the corporation to spec
ulate on the Wall street stock exchange.
1t Is understood that an investigation Is being
made as to his accounts and to his whereabouts,
and it is expected that the matter will be cleared
up one way anosher to-day In the
meantime his friends desire that the public exer-
else charitable judgment until the truth is
known