The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-10-25
DEFALCATI0N.
The City. Treasurer Of Cleveland,
Ohio, Defaults in Half
Million,
And Skips to Parts Unknown
With 100000 Cash in
His Pocket.

CLEVELAND, o., October 23.-Thomas
Axworthy, city treasurer, is missing. The
latest heard of him was his departure from
New York for Montreal, Canada. 1t is
claimed he has 100000 of the city's funds
with him. Mr.. Axworthy has always been
considered one of the wealthiest citizens
of Cleveland, and as man above reproach.
His property is now being attached.
Mr.. Axworthy is owner of real estate,
ships that sail the lakes, coal mines and
iron furnaces, and many other valuable
investments. When at home he is a prom
inent figure on the street, and at every
turn is greeted by old and young, rich
and poor, republicans and democrats. A
law which provides that the funds OF the
city must be deposited in the bank, the
municipality to be credited with interest
on the same went into effect
on October Is. Proposals were asked
for, but all the banks save two re-
fused to make bids. The result
was that the bids received were rejected
and new ones will be asked for. This
probably lead to Axworthy's flight. His
bondsmen have commenced investigating
They are United States Senators N. B.
Payne and j. H. Wade, jr., and are pledged
for $4,000. They, together with leading
city officials aud attorneys, were in con
sultation all last night, and adjourned
early this morn ing. Each refuses to say
word, but all the details of Mr.. Ak
worthy's absence will, no doubt, be known
to-day.
The finance committee of the common
council, after examination of the books,
state they believe the loss to the city by
reason of Mr.. Axworthy's disappearance
is 100000. Senator Payne and j. N.
Wade, jr, bondsmen of the city treasurer,
at p o'clock this morning filed a petition
and affidavit in the common pleas court
praying for attachments against Mr.. Az
worthy's vessels, his real estate and other
property; the schooner Republic and
three-quarters interest in the schooner
Page were attached, and his
money and stocks in local banks garn-
isheed. The sheriff is now attaching the
real property of the missing treasurer, in
Guiding his farm on Lorraine street, out
side the city limits, and his summer resi-
dence on Lake avenue. The National
Bank of Commerce also began suit for
$4,000 to recover promissory note they
had discounted. 1t is said Mr.. Axworthy
has 100000 with him.
Axworthy is believed to have taken at
least 100000 in cash with him. The
police pension fund and fremen's relief
fund, which were unsecured by bond, are
gone, and over $4,000 of the board of
education fund goes into the shortage.
This last item is secured by separate
bond of $220,000 with Selah Chamberlain
and T. P. Handy as sureties. 1t is
believed Axworthy's vessel, property and
real estate will inventory nearly half
million. The bondsmen are secured. The
city will probably lose nothing as the
bonds are good.
Not trace of the missing man has
been secured. 1t is asserted he is in Llv-
erpoo, England, on his way to
Belgium, and that he is we'll provided with
ready money. 1t is rumored, but the
rumor has not been confirmed, that
Axworthy lost heavily in the recent wheat
squeeze, and that he was in the Gagebic
iron crash for a large sum.
The common council met tonight to
take action in the premises. 1t was
decided to declare the Office of treasurer
vacant. That will be done so soon as the
proper resolution can be passed, when
temporary treasurer will be appointed to
fill out Axworthy's term.