New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-24
FUNDS OF STANFORD GONE.
TAX COLLECTOR LEEDS MISSING.

HIS DOORS AS BANK ACCOUNTANT ALL RfGHT-A DH
FIClr OF $4,000 IN TAX ACCOUNTS.
Stamford has been agog with excitement for the
last few days over the sudden disappearance Of
Frank R. Leeds. accountant Of the Stamford
National Bank. and taxcollector of that thriving
Connecticut borough. He was last seen in Stam-
ford on Friday, February 13. On the morning Of
that day he was seized with fit of coughing while
OF his desk. He told the teller that his physician
had advised him to remain at home in order to stavo
of threatened attack of pneumonia. He then left
the bank for his home, a'modest house. in which
he lived with his father and mother. On the fol-
lowing day he did not appear at the bank. 1t was
supposed that he was sick until messenger who
had been..dspatched from the bank to learn his
dtiOn returned with the information that Leeds had
not been at home since the preceding afternoon.
Charles Hawley, president of the bank, thought
the conduct of his accountant rather odd but At
tached special Importance to II until the follow
ing Monday. when Leeds was still missing By that
time.the fact OF his absence had come public prop
erty 1t caused host of conIectures. His friends,
who were numerous. attributed bis disappearance
to foul lay Those who did not entertain this view
were chary of expressing their opinions The miss
ing man was q general favorte and no one seemed
anxious to have the doubtful honor of casting tho
first stone at his reputation. AS days slipped by
without furnishing any clew to the mystery, those
who had business connections with Leeds decided to
look into his affairs:
He had entered the Stamford National Bank In
general utility capacity at the age Of seventeen.
He proved attentive and serviceabe and was gradu-
ally advanced until he reached thepost of account
ant. Three years ago he was elected tax collector
of the borough. George Glendenning cashier of tho
bank, Is the treasurer OF the borough. 10 MN
Leeds paid over al! moneys collected. -Four months
ago Mr.. Glendenning taken sick and has since
been confined TO his house. HIS place at the bank
was filled by Leeds
The latter in the eyes of those who knew him
best had but ope fault. He was addicted 70 perodt-
did many foolish things Mr. Hawley was greatly
surprised about year ago. to near OF TINS weaH-
ness. He took a great interest IN Leeds, told hin
of what he hai heard. showed him the ineyitabls
result Of such a and finally said that it muse
be stopped or expulsion from his position would
follow Leeds stunned the wine cups for month
or So but more,than once, after receiving this ad-
monitOn, was seen in public under Its influence
Mr.. Hawley reasoned with HIM aga:n; so did tho
vicepresident of the bank: Leeds promised TO stop
drinking and until lately Mr.. Hawey imagined thae
he kept his word.
Last " eek the affairs of the bank were carefully
examined. Last night President liawley said that
Leefs's accounts were perfectly straight and that
the bank had lost nothing by him:
The warden and the burgesses OF Stamford held Q
was present. The taxcollectors books we're exani-
ined. They showed a deficiency OF from $500 to
80. 700. Leeds's defalcation may amount to moro
than this however as it il feared that he may hayo
received money which he has not credited in his
books / he sickness of Mr.. Glendennlng enabled
Leeds 10 retain tine tax money much longer than ne
otherwise could. The question which troubled tho
authorities last night was, What has he done win
itW He moved in good society and, as one Of his
friends put it, always kept his ends up" but
manifested no particularly eXtratagant tastes;
Although il is known 10 few, there is quiet back
room in a building in OF the principal streets Oh
the town in which the seductive game, of poker was
the nj ghtiy amusement. Leeds, tits sad was tempted
to try his luck one night Like all beginners.
| il seemed delightfully."- easy way TO make money.
The possession O "A couple OF strong hands and tho
consequent raAing in OF the pots' satisfied han
that he had great bead FOR poker. J: was only
| when he had spent all his own money and dipped
INTO the public funds that he began % see his error
Whether he lost all his deficiency" la this way or
carried part away with him IS an open question.
Friends of Leeds have stated that on the night OF
February 13 he was carousine in Stamford. This,
ike several other reports in circulation, is without
foun alton. On that night ne WAS seen in New
York and is probably here still. lie Is about nye
feet six inches in he yht OF slim build, fresh COM
peXion light hair and small. light muStache.
The borough of Stamford is secured against loss.
as / eed' had for his bondsman Samuel Leeds,
relative and d well to-do citizen