Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-03
WINE AND WOMEN.
THEoLD STORY oE PAST LIVING AND EN-
BRZZLEMENT
A Trusted Clerk C0nfssSes he Has Been RObbing His
Employer For Many Ysars-Ths Amount Of dis
Stealing Estimated Over HIM
dred thousand.


sational, as well as the heaviest defalca-
ton, which has taken place in Chicago IN
many years-probably during its CONNER
cial history-has just been brought to
light. Miner T. Ames, the millionaire
coal merchant, is the victim, and Theo-
dore S. Mize, his confidential bOokkeeper
and cashier and Secretary of the Chicago
and Minonk Coal and Coke Company, at
No. 142 LaSalle street, is the perpetrator
of robbery that is estimated at 500, 900,
and may exceed that amount. From his
position as bOokkeeper, cashier, contden-
tial clerk and secretary of the coal COM
pany, Mize had absolute control of the
moneys of the company and the private
funds of Mr.. Ames. Mize is one Of the
best known men in local business circles,
having q very extensive acquaintance, and
has also been one of the most popular men
of his set. He was member of the Union
Veteran Club and the Apollo Club, being
a singer of much ability.
WINE, NOMEN AND KUN.
Mize is handsome, stylish and talented,
but in this case it is the old story-wine,
women and ruin. His employer, Mr..
Ames, had known him from infancy, being
an old friend of the young mans father,
Edward Mize, formerly of Akron, o., but
now living in this city. Theodore has
been in the employ of Mr.. Ames since
1872 Within q couple of years from the
time he entered Mr.. Ames' employ, he
began systematic course of robbery, COW
eriug up his dishonesty by false entries
upon the hooks, and by other schemes.
At first his stealings were comparatively
small, but he soon began operations on a
more extensive scale, and of late years, it
is rumored his speculatiOns frequently
reached the stiff sum of 81 900 in single
month. About week ago Mr.. AmeS dis
covered that something was wrong with
his money accounts. A brief investiga-
ton convinced him that large sums were
missing. 1t is said that he then taxed
Mize with dishonesty, and declared he
would engage experts to go over the books.
Mize at once weakened,
BROKE DOWN AND NbNt tNNED
that he was guilty and had been robbing
his employer for many years, He begged
for mercy and promised restitution, 50 far
as it lay within his power. Since then all
his property which could he found, includ-
ing fine house on Ellis avenue, have
been turned over to Mr.. Ames. Mize
could not be found by the reporter, but is
believed to be stopping for the present
with his father. Besides the extravagant
manner in which he and his wife lived, it is
asserted that Mize ut various times sup
ported three other women, on whom he Law
iShed money with generous hand.
A LENIENT EMPLOYER.
To reporter Mr.. Amcs said: Il am in
hopes that the shortage will prove great
deal less than von have been informed.
could not tell you exactly what the amount
will be if | wanted to. for | don't know
myself. am having the accounts exam
ined, but it will be several days yet before
they are in such condition that we can
tell for certain how they stand. Besides
Mr. Mize has made partial restitution by
turning over his property to me. The mat
ter is very painful to me, and lrcgard
the feelings of Mr.. Mics family rs of
more account than the loss of the money.
His father and | have been close friends
for thirty years.
REFUSES To TALK.
The father and mother of Theodore
Mize were seen at their residence this al
ternoOn. They admitted the truth OF
some OF the charges, but said the amount
taken had been grossly exaggerated. They
claimed that Mr.. Ames had promised 10
keep the matter quiet, and that young
Mize went to the Office regularly as If
nothing had happened. They said that
he had Overdrawn his account, and then
when Mr.. Ames returned from Europe
Theodore confessed and turned over his
residence. No. 1915 Ellis avenue, to his
employer, and this, together with what
the parents gave, made balance in favor
OF the son.
Mr.. Mize stood at the Office door looking
glOOmily out as a reporter entered. Il
don't wish to say anything now," he said,
until have talk with Mr.. Ames.
There are, rs you know, always two sides
to every story, and this is no exception TO
the rule
is there any basis for the staement
that you embezzled 500, OO0?"
AS said before, prefer to await my
interview with Mr. Ames before say any
thing The matter WAS arranged with
him satisfactorily, and our relations have
continued undisturbed and will until
find that he is responsible for this publ,
cation.