Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-11
A PECULIAR CASE.
Mr.. Hazards Bookkeeper
Tries to Decamp.
EDWARD SMITHS WIFE ELoPEs.
The Sequel to the Episode Which
Created Some Talk Several
Months Ago.

Edward Smith. collector and book
keeper for Henry Hazard, was one of the
occupants of the City Prison last nipht.
although no charge was plaeedagainst
him on the prison books. The case il
peculiar in several ways and might
furnish theme for a sensational novel.
1t will be remembered that some months
ago he assaulted his wife in Gardner,s
"toast foundry" on Spring street because
she was in company with woman to
whom he had an objection and with
whom he had forbidden his wife
to associate. Shortly afterward
it was stated that he had
seen his wife in company
with man under suspicious circum-
stances, and that she had come to the
conclusion that he would obtain evidence
against her and then procure divorce.
Detectives were employed and juet az
they were about to conclude their labors
he withdrew the case from their hands
and apparently dropped the matter.
About ten days ago it is related that his
wife, Carrie fed from his bed and
board in company with waiter in
restaurant, and that she is now in San
Francisco. The latest development in
the case is the attempt of Smith himself
to leave Los Angeles with small
portion of Mr.. Hazards money.
According to Mr.. Hazard, Smith
collected for the Tool Works and
for the East Side Spring Water Company,
and as a check upon his actions he was
required to deposit in the bank all funds
collected in the names of the parties coll
lected from. Mr.. Hazard had, from GER
tain actions of Smith, some idea on Sat-
urday last that ever lything was not as it
should be, and when Saturday even
ing came he heard that Smith was about
to go out of town, he thought he would
investigate. He found that Smith had
collected 5000 which he had not deposit
ed, and that he had not cashed the check
for the payment of the hands, although
he had paid the men. Altogether Smith
was ahead of him by about 800, and
had borrowed $40 from Ben E.
Ward. Mr.. Hazard, on Saturday even.
ing went to the Southern Pacific depot
just before the train departed, and upon
going through the cars found Smith
rather the worse for liquor in one of the
sleepers. Mr.. Hazard asked Smith
where he was going, and he replied that
was only going through the train to see
if his wife was on board.
"Let me see your ticket" said Mr..
Hazard.
Smith reluctantly produced his ticket.
which was for Oakland. Mr.. Hazard
then insisted that Smith accom- pany him
to the Office and fix up the books before
he left. Smith accompanied MIR. Hazard
to the office, and they worked until
late hour. Then they quit, Smith prom
lsing to be at the office Sunday morning.
Early Sunday morning Smith went to
the office and telephoned to Mr..
Hazard that he was waiting for
him. Mr.. Hazard finished his break
fast and went to the Office expecting
to find Smith there, but that gentleman
was not to be seen. After waiting for
him to return for some time Mr.. Hazard
made up his mind that Smith would
make another attempt to leave the city
and started out to look for him. He
came across him on street-car, valise
in hand, and in few minutes both were
again at work trying to straighten up
affairs. Sunday night came and Smith
promising to turn up Monday morning,
Mr.. Hazard left. On Monday morning
Mr.. Hazard upon visiting his Office found
neither Smith, nor the bank books, con.
tracts or vouchers in his office, in
fact the records were gone. The police
were put on Smiths track. He was
found yesterday in Mother Browns noto-
rious house, and the rest of the day he
worked at the books. He produced the
papers from hiding-p place under the
stairs, and will now be closely watched
until the books are Strengthened up. Mr..
Hazard says that, owing to the excellent
system which he had adopted, Mr..
Smith was not able to secure much
money without detection.