The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-24
{ DAILY, $40 A YEAR. !
( 8 CENTS A COPY.
[ WEEKLY, S1.25 A YEAR
A BREEZE AT CLEVELAND
THE CITY OUT 100000 AND ITS
TREASURER GONE.

Senator Payne and j. II. Wade, Jr.,
His Bondsmen for $5Oo,OOO-The
Fugitive Supposed to Have Carried
100000 Away With Him-Attach-
ments for His Property.
CLEVELAND, O., Oct. 23.-City Treasurer
Thomas Axworthy has been one of the
most peculiar and prominent democratic
politicians in the state for many years, and
prominent figure in various business
enterprises, in which he had the reputation
Of being universally successful. He has
disappeared and has not been seen for some
time. He was last seen at the Windsor
hotel, New York, whence he departed Sept.
20 for Montreal. All trace of him after
that time has been lost.
DEPosITING CITY FUNDS.
The law which provides that the funds of
the city must be deposited in bank, the
municipality TO be credited with the inter
est on the amount, was to have gone into
effect on Oct. Is. Proposals were asked for.
but all tue banks save two refused to make
bids The result was that the bids received
were rejected, and new ones will be solicited.
AxwoRTHY NOT ON HAND.
However. Axworthy was not in tho city
When the proposals were opened and his alb
sence occasioned some comment. On Satur-
day the mayors clerk, Mr.. Briggs, sub
mitted TO the city board Of revision par
tial report Of his investigation into the Oisi-
ness methods of the municipal officials. StlI
Axworthy was out OF town.
HIS BoNDsMEN AROUSED
Meanwhile his bondsmen began to investi-
gate. They are United States Senator Fl.
b. Payne and J. H. Wade, Jr., and are
pledged for S5000O0 They, together with
leading city officials aud attorneys, were in
consultation all last night, and adjourned
early this morning. Each refuses to talk
THE CITY OUT S500,000.
The finance committee of the common
council after a basty examination of tho
books, state that they believe the loss to tho
city by reason Of Axworthy's disappear
ance, is $780, 600.
Senator Payne and j. II. Wade, Jr, the
bondsmen of the treasurer, at 2 o'clock this
afternoon filed petition and afIida Wits in
the common pleas court praying for an
attachments against Axworthy's vessels,
real estate and other property.
SERVING THE ATTACHMENTS.
The schooner Page was attached and his
money and stocks in local banks were gar
nisheed The sheriff is now attaching the
real property of the missing treasurer, in
Guiding his farm on Lorain street, outside
the city limits, and his residence on Lake
street The National Bank of Commerce
has also begun suit for $780, 900 to recover
on promissory note they had discounted.
1t is said MIR. Axworthy has $200,000 with
him.
A PROFOUND SENSATION.
CLEVELAND, O., Oct. %, 9P Mt be-
came known early this morning that Az
worthy had not only left the city, but that
he was defauter The announcement
produced profound sensation, and in the
confusion which ensued, it was impossible
to get at the details. The first excitement
of the day was occasoned by the beginning
in the common pleas court of actions in at
tachment against all of Axworthys vessel
property and real estate, and the serving of
writs of garnishment upon half dozen
banks. These actions were begun by two
of the bondsmen and the National Bank OF
Commerce.
TIEING UP CITY FUNDS.
The city's funds had been deposited in
the banks by Axworthy, and the actions
against these banks were begun with the
object of tying up the money he had left in
his flight. AT the city hall confusion
reigued. The mayor and auditor were both
out OF the city. The small reserve in the
treasury was soon exhausted, and at noon
payment on two warrants was refused.
There was no more money, and it was inn
possible to draw on the funds in the bank,
which had been tied up by the order of the
court.
The finance committee of the common
council was hastily summoned and an in
vestigation was begun.
HOW MATTERS STAND.
Late this afternoon it was announced that
of $S76, ,SS7 turned over to the treasurer and
by him deposited in bank only SAT, ,450 re-
mained on deposit The shortage, there.
fore, amounts to S429,43 OF this amount
Treasurer Axworthy is believed to have
taken at least $500, 900 ia cash with him.
The police pension fund and aremen's
relief fund, which were unsecured by bond,
are gone, and over $l92, 900 Of the board of
education fund, goes into the shortage.
This last Item Is secured by a separate bond
of $3.50, 900, with Silah Chamberlain and L.
p. Handy as sureties.
WHAT AxwoRTHY LEFT BEHIND.
1t is believed that Axworthy's vessel
property and real estate will inventory
nearly 100000, and the bondsmen are
secured The city will probably lose
nothing, as the bonds are good.
No trace of the missing man has been
secured. 1t is asserted that be Is In LIVER
pool, Eng. ON his way TO Belgium, and that
he is well provided with ready money. 10
is rumored, but the rumor has not been
confirmed, that Axworthy lost heavily in
the recent wheat squeeze, and that he was
in the Gogebec iron crash for large sum.
THE OFFICE DECLARED VACANT.
The common council met tonight TO
take action in the premises. 1t was decided
to declare the office of treasurer vacant, and 4
that will be done as soon as the proper reso-
luton can be passed, and a temporary \
treasurer will be appointed to fill out Ak ]
VIA tarm-