Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-24
The Trust That Hurts
Where You Trust Your Money
to a Fellow
AND He GALLoPS AWAY WITH IT

That Is What is Hurting the Citizens of
Cleveland, o., Just Now-The Popular
City Treasurer Comes Up Missing and So
Does About Halt a Million in Money
The City Likely to Lose $500, OO0-Faots
in a Bad Case OF Steal.
CLEVELAND, O., Oct A-Nearly every
man, woman and child in Cleveland has
heard of City Treasurer Thomas Axworthy.
and thousands of them are perso ally ac-
auainted with him
He was, perhaps, the most popular Demo-
cratic politician in northern Ohio. So
highly was he regarded that he could have
been nominated for congress this year if he
had but said the word. In business circles
he had cut very big figure, and the state
ment was often made that whatever he touched
turns to gold He had real estate ships that
sails the lake, coal mines. and iron ranges,
and many other valuable investments When
at home he was a prominent figure on the
street, and at every corner was created by
old and young, rich and poor. Republicans
and Democrats
He has not been seen recently, and office
holders at the city hall have not grasped his
hand for many a long day. Therefore his
absence has caused some confusion and much
inquiry. A law which provides that the
funds Of the city must be deposited in
bank, the municipality to be credited with
the interest on the same, was to have gone
into effect on the 18th inst Proposals were
asked for, and all the banks save two re-
fused to make bids. The result was that the
bids received were rejected, and new ones
will no cntipifal Hnvauar Mr. hv
was not in the city when the proposals were
opened, and his absence occasioned some
comment.
On Saturday, the mayors clerk, Briggs,
submitted to the city board of revision
partial report OF investigation into the
business methods of the municipal officials.
Still, Mr. Axworthy was out of town, and
Monday morning bright and early the one
inquiry on the streets was: "Where is the
city trsasurer'" Occasionally the indefi mite
answer was made that he was in New York
His business and official associates declared
that he was there, and was stopping at the
Windsor hotel. A telegram of inquiry was
sent to that hotel, and the answer returned
that Mr.. Axworthy had arrived there on
Sept. 20, in the morning, and had departed
in the evening for Montreal, Canada There
all trace of him was lost
| Meanwhile his bondsmen began to investi-
| gate. They are United States Senator Fl. B
Psyne and j. H. Wade Jr, and are pledged
| for $500, 600 They, together with leading
city officials and attorneys, were in consulta-
ton all Monday night, and adjourned early
| yesterday morning, each refusing to say a
word
| The finance committee of the common
council, after a hasty examination of the
books, stated that they believe the loss to the
| city by reason of Mr.. Axworthy's disappear
ance is $500, 900 Senator Payne and ]. H
Wade. Jr., the bondsmen of the city treas
urer, at . O'Clock yesterday morning, fled Pc
titions and affiiavits in the common pleas
court praying for an attachment against Mr.
Axworthy vessels, real estate and other
property. The schooner Republic and three
quarters interest in the schooner Page were
attached, and his money and stock in the
local banks were garnisheed The sheriff is
now attaching the real property of the mis-
sing treasurer, including his farm on To-
raine street. outside the city limits, and his
summer residence on Lake avenue. The Ma
tional Bank of Commerce also began suit
for s25, 900 to recover on a promissory note
Ehey naQ discounted. IL Is said Mr.. Ak
worthy has $3.50, 900 with him.
1t has transpired that the investigation of
the city books showed that there should be
$S76, SS7.t4 to the city's credit OF this
amount s44i, .05 has been accounted for
in the city banks This sum has all been de-
posted in Axworthy's name and was at
tached by his bondsmen yesterday morning
with the rest of his personal property. The
city will fight the claim made to this money,
declaring that although it was deposited in
| Axworthy's name it can be shown TO be city
| funds. Should the bondsmen succeed in OBJ
tanning it the city will be just that much alb
solute loser without any possible means of
Naturalization
| In addition to the city funds in his posses
sion Treasurer Axworthy also held slg2 900
| belonging TO the board of education, SIS, 600
of the police pension fund, and IS, 900 of the
| firemen's pension fund. OF these sums there
are no accounts. The board of education
| Chamberlain and Trueman P Handy. 1t is
stated that be had money belonging to the
local Democratic committee, and was the
stakeholder of several hundred dollars in
| election bets
The common council met last ght TO take
action in the premises. 1t was decided to de-
| clare the office Of the treasurer vacant, and
| that will be done as soon as the proper reso.
buttons can be passed, when a temporary
treasurer will be appointed to fill out Ak
| worthy's term.