Evening journal., 1888-10-24
ONE CENT.
KING OF SWINDLERS.
Cleveland's Treasurer Flees
With Half a Million.
THE CITY is IN A TUMULT-

Thomas hxworthy Proves Himself I'm
worthy of His Trust-He Carries Away
All He Can, Draws 100000 in New
York and Sails for Europe.
CLEVELAND, O., Oct. 2i.-The greatest ex-
element prevails here in financial and busi-
ness as well as social circles over the reported
defalcation of City Treasurer Thomas Ak
worthy. Mr.. Axworthy left the city on Sept
~, going direct to New York city, register
ing at the Windsor hotel, and from there on
the 10Th either to Canada or Europe. Investi
CATION so far develops a shortage Of city
funds Of over $685., 600, and 1t is thought that
further investigation viii increase that
amount.
Axworthy's bondsmen, consisting of United
States Senator Payne and J. II. Wade, Jr.s
who are on his bond for S500,0O0, had hur-
ried meeting at the oifloe of Attorneys Dickey
and Squire, and attachments were immo-
diately taken out, one for S5O0,000 and tina
other by the National bank Of Commerce for
s25, 900, 70 secure themselves ON Axworthys
paper. All Of Axworthy's property in ths
city, consisting of large amounts Of real
estate and lake vessels, was also attached,
and garnishments were served ON all local
banks where city and personal money was on
deposit, and on the numerous firms in which
the detaultlng treasurer Is interested.
All city funds have heretofore been depos-
tied in the various banks in the treasurer's
own name, but recent law compehed the do
posting Of all funds in one bapk, selected
from bids. This law took effect last week and
preclpitated thecrash.
Axworthys reasons for emhezzling are un-
known. He was perhaps the most popular
politician in northern Ohio, So highly was
he regarded that he could have been nomi-
mated for congress this year If he had but
said the word In business circles he has cut
a very big figure, and the statement was
often made that whatever he touched turned
! to gold
He has real estate ships that sail the lakes,
coal mines and iron ranges and many other
valuable investments, When at home he was
a prominent figure on the street, and at every
turn he was greeted by old and young, rich
and poor, Republicans and Democrats
Many believe that he was caught In Hutch
inson's wheat corner and lost $500 600 Theirs
Is ON deposit ia various city banks about
S350OOO in Axworthy's name, but how much
( Of it is city funds and how much personal it
is impossible 70 tell
The authorities are SO greatly excited over
the exposure that they have not yet decided
how 20 proceed, though a portion Of the
money stolen may be made good by the do
laulting treasurer's bondsmen
Late yesterday afternoon Il was learned
that AKworthy had He'd TO Europe. A
cablegram, known to have been from him,
was received by one of his married daughters
here, ON Saturday last, dated Liverpool,
which read; Papa is in Canada; toll mann
una not 70 worry
"A full investigation of the city treasurer's
accounts has been made, which shows that
there should be 10 the credit Of the city do
partment $3.50, ,ss1Gi To offset this there is
in the banks here Sl41, 5000, making the do
iicit S420, ,43L59
IL is rumored that just before leaving New
York Axworihy drew S200,0OO from the
American exchange in New York, which is
the eastern depository Of the city funds and
bonds
New YoRK, Oct 23.--The statement that
dcfaultng Treasurer Axworthy, Of the city
Of Cleveland, had drawn s2OO, 900 from the
American Exchange bank Of this city, which
is the New York depository for Cleveland,
was denied yesterday by the bank officials.
Cashier Burns looked at the books and de
clared that no large amount had been paid
ON Cleveland's account for months. He said
that the bank had for years only paid out
money 20 Cleveland on maturing bonds ol
coupons II was possible, he said, for Ak
worthy 20 draw the money, but denied that
he had done so. The officials Of the bank
know the defaulting treasurer personally,
and declared that he had not been in the
bank for months. They made a most em.
phatic denial Of the statement.