Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-21
EXPLAINING HIS OWN CRIME.
How the Defaulter, DeBaun, Made q
Secret Visit to New York.

A New York dispatch saws: Strange deeds
are done beneath smooth surface Of suave
responsibility in this great town. Mark this
hidden story of robbery, fight. midnight con-
ference, and disappearance. The facts have
just come 10 light through the arrest and ex-
tradition Of DeBaun, the defaulting cashier of
the Park bank When DeBaun disappeared
one day his employers and associates in the
bank wondered why he had left them thus
abruptly, and a painful feeling gained foot
hold that his record might not be quite
straight. But outwardly all was serene. In
quirers as to DeBaun's whereabouts were an
swered by the explanation that he had gone on
a vacation. though. as his cronies at the Brook
lyn club had not heard of any such plan on
his part. they began to think his sudden and
silent leave had something queer about il.
At this time the bank officers were studying
the books he left behind him. Yet they seemed
all right. If their departed cashier had falsi-
fed them he had done so in a marvelously in
genious fashion. The best experts were baffied.
They were morally sure by this time that there
was crookedness somewhere, but in spite of all
their skill they could not put their pen on the
fraud While thue engaged, and before the
public exposure came. it was brought to the
knowledge OF the puzzled examiners that
DeBaun was in Canada On learning of thi s
fact. which in itself was almost conclusive evil
dence of guilt. under the circumstance. some
one interested in getting at the facts decided
on the following bold stroke: DeBaun was
communicated with in his Canadian retreat
He was told that he would be allowed 10 come
to New York if ne would aid in untangling the
books. Constructively he was vet an innocent
man. His knavery had not got abroad and his
person would be safe. Perhaps il was limited
to him that any help he would give would be
highly appreciated BY those who might be in a
position to shelter him.
Under this guarantee De Baum crossed the
border and returned to this city. The books
were opened and he was set at the strange task
OF showing the experts the extent and char
acter OF his robberies and revealing the devices
by which he had been able to cover his tracks
even from their trained pursuit As he proceed
ed TO disclose his villainies they stood aghast
Robbery after robbery was revealed until at
last the full sum of the defalcation was for the
first time known. The explanation had taken
hours, and the group were tired and hungry
Men, even when they are hearing how thew
have lost fortunes by the secret theft of friends
grow hungry, and must supply natures gnaw-
ing claims. What more natural then. than
that the party should dine? And dine they did
at fashionable restaurant. swindler and
swlndled touching legs under the mahogany,
and uniting in cheerful glass. And after din
ner, quite in his old manner, De Baum. sud-
denly back from his vacation. dropped in at
the Brooklyn club and set up the drinks He
punched a game or so of billiards. talked a
little club gossip, and parted all intrusive
questions about his absence by intimating that
he had been on nice little quiet picnic One
of tine members asked laughingly if his route
had been to Canada. at which all laughed. De
5aun the loudest of any. NO" cried one of
the jovial group, DE Baum is not one of your
border shippers. He isn't that kind of a hair
pin"
Then, the next morning De Baum took trs in
up the beautiful Hudson and skipped the
border, being exactly that kind of a hairpin.