Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-03
HE HANDLED THE FUNDS
AND LIVED LIKE A PRINCE ON A SAL
q AIRY OF $4,000.

An Alleged Shortage of 100000 in the
Accounts of the Confidential Book
keeper of Miner 7. Ames of Chicago
Still Retained by His EmpIsyer-Whers
the Money Went.
CHICAGO, Dec. S.-Theoicre S. Mize, sec
ret Try Of the Chicago and Minonk Coal and
Coke company and confidential bookkeepeI
and cashier for Miner T. Ames, the Goa
merchant, is said to be an embezzer of about
800, goo. 1t is alleged to be the old story oil
wine, women, and cards. with salary just
large enough to show how his expensive
tastes might be gratiied without being suffi
cient to pay the bills.
Theodore Mizs is one of the known
business men in the city. Barely 81 year;
of age, generous, gay, and handsome, he was
favorite alike of men aud women, and
the fact that he had a salary Of
$500 year did not tend to mak'
him less popular among his associates, wht
were mostly of the speculative and money.
spending class, and Mize was this leader
among all in reckless extravaganza. Ht
had entire control of the funds of the Goa
company as well rs the private accounts Of
Mr. Ames, and he was never suspected Of
dishonesty As Mr. Ames had known hi.
cashier from bovhood, and had been ac
quainted with his parents years before al
their home in Ohio, when young Mize left
college Mr. Ames offered him position il
his office and the young man was installed a.
cashier and bookkeeper. This was about fiji
teen years ago, and Mize gradually gained
the confidence Of his employer, until he wa!
given entire charge of the bank account ant
was authorized TO sign checks and make de
posits.
The young man began a course of reckless
expenditure, spending money and lavishing
jewelry, it is alleged, on various women, anC
living iii the most gorgeous style. Abou
ten years ago Mize was married to hand
some woman who, it is said. had obtained
divorce from her first husband in order t
marry Mjze. Her tastes Were also extraya.
giant and did not tend to lessen the expense.
of her husband. 1t is believed that his pc
culations did not begin until after his mar
riage. and as soon as he saw how easily i
could be managed he increased the amounts
until of late, it is said. he has often taken a
much as 81, 900 per month
Last spring Mr.. Ames made trip to Eu
rope, and on his return last week became sus
picious that something was wrong about thu
books He questioned Mize rather sharply
and said that he would have the hooks ex
amined by experts At this, it is said, Miz
broke down and confessed everything. Mr.
Ames agreed not to have his clerk arrested
but to wait few days and see if the defalca
tlpn Ia irht MT md ~
pert are now examining the books, whilt
Mige is under surveillance in a remote quar-
ter of the CITY
The defalcation was a great surprise to al
Mige's friends, who had imagined that th
defaulter was the soul of honor. His family
connections are of the b st and his father
Edward Mize, is one Of the beSt-known rail
road men in northern Ohio. \ great effCr
was made 10 suppress the facts III hopes tina
matters might lie a ijusted. 1t is not though
that Miz, has saved any of the money he
said to have taken, but that lie has spent i
all in high living.
The father and mother of Mis- were seel
at their residence, 100 Dekalb street. The
admitted the truth of some of the charges
bat said the amount takea had been grossl
exaggerated They claimed that Mr. Anne.
had promised to keep the matter quiet, an
| that young Mizo went o the office REGULAR
as if nothing had happened They said tha
he had overdrawn his account, and the
when Mr.. Ames returned from Europe Thee
dore confessed and turned over his residence
| 'SSl5 Ellis avenue, to his employer, and thi:
| together with what the parents gave, made
balance in favor of the SON.
| Nh Mize was found at the office Thurs1a
morning and was apparently in very plea.
ant frame of mind. He had nothing 10 sa
| about the story, hut referred all questioner
to Mr.. Ames That gentleman said the stor
was greatly exaggerated; that Mr.. Nike ha
been in his emp oymont many years an
| would remain So