Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-01-26
HE STOLE TO PAY A DEBT
Moore's Defalcation Exceeds
Half a Million.
HE RELATES A PATHETIC STORY,


Now He Is in the Company's Hands and |
Awaits whatever Is TO come-He Says
He Had Plenty of Opportunity 20 Es-
cape, but scorned to DO SO.
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 96-Mr Joseph A.
Moore has not yet been arrested, and no
criminal proceedings have been begun against
him.
w. G. Abbott, vice president Of She Con-
necticut Mutual Insurance company. is here
with an expert accountant, and it is through
their efforts that Moore's dishonesty was
made public. 1t is thought his defalcation
win be considerably in excess Of $500, 900.
He was also agent for the German American,
Firemen's Fund, City Of London and I'm
perial Of London insurance companies and
is supposed to be short in his accounts with
them. Nothing definite is known about this,
however.
reporter succeeded in obtaining an inter
view with Joseph A. Moore He is at pres
ent closely combining himself to his residence
in the city. He talked with considerable
freedom, denying the rumors that depositors
In bis bank would suffer He stated that no
had turned over to the Connecticut Mutual
property worth $500, 600 When asked il he
knew what course the officers Of the insur-
ance company would pursue he said: II have
no idea Of their plans 1 am simply waiting
for developments and an entirely in their
hands l want it understood that have re-
manned here to face the consequences of my
acts of my accord. When was informed
that Mr.. Abbott, the secretary of the com
pany, was coming out here TO investigate my
affairs / had plenty of time 70 leave the
country and save myself completely. ! do
cided to stay right here, and when Mr.. Alb
bott arrived / told him the whole truth about
the condition Of my business. | did not con-
ceal anything, however trivial, and then
said to him that proposed TO remain here.
told him that he could always find me II he
wanted me, and promised him that would
not commit suicide, either SO here | am,
waiting for anything that my come.
Moore said that his troubles dated back to
1880 I'm 1879 said he, "a law was passed
prohibiting foreign corporations from bring.
ing suit in the Federal court That de.
stroyed my business. For two or three years
l did nothing at all and became very de
spondent. just before that, short time
had gone into bankruptcy, and an intimate
friend who had indorsed my paper was
heavy loser. always considered that ! wa.
in honor bound to repay him. and it was il
an attempt to do this that my present
troubles began. had no business, and YET
had heavy running expenses. AT the sams
time | was striving to repay my friend the
money he had lost by me. ] had loanel
great sums Of money for the company
represented, taking real estate security
After the panic the borrowers were unable
10 pay of the mortgages and th
property fell back into our hands
1T had deprecated greatly in value, an
was naturally run down and in very ba
! repair felt myself more or less at fault i
having placed the loans so badly, though /
Z reality had done the best / could l wa
e extremely sensitive on this point / saw th
company losing thousands of dollars on in
vestments that had been made. on my iudp
ment. All these things piled upon me, an
as time passed on grew more and mor
:. burdensome Many a time felt as thoug
should lose my mind. ! was beset on ever
side, and felt bound to do something to 4,
lieve myself, and yet there was nothing
could do At this point | went to New Yor
and began to speculate in stocks. | had fai
success, too, and made some money, bu
whenever came DICK mere lDSN my helt
and everything went wrong
Moore declined to say how much he ha
= lost in stock speculation.
HARTFORD, Jan. &c I'm answer TO a quer
of a reporter as to the responsibilities an
> powers, financially, Of agents Of the Cor
neeticut Mutual Life Insurance company
President Greene said that they are yer
clearly defined by the instructions of tn
company. He is preparing a circular lette
to all agents reiterating them. and this wi
probably be communicated also to the stoc
holders for their information.
NEW York, Jan. 26--On the applicable
OF Pratt a. Bowers, attorneys for the Coz
y necticut Mutual Life Insurance company
this city, Justice Patterson, Of the supren
court, yesterday granted an attachmei
against the personal funds Of Joseph
Moore, tine company's financial corresponl
ent at indianapolis, who was recently four
- to be defaulter He had $4,000 deposit,
with Drexel, Morgan a. Co. and Winslo'
Lanier g. Co. in this city, 10000 with eac