The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-12-06
A THIEF IN THE CAPITOL.
CONGRESS IS THROWN INTO
GREAT EXCITEMENT.
c. T.. SiIcOtt, Cashier of the Ser
Reant at Arms, SEkips with $72,.
OOO-The Inference Between
Theft and Embezzlement.


WASHINGTON, December 5.-From pres
ent appearances Edward Silcott, cashier
of the sergeant at arms OF the House OF
Representatives has fled, carrying off
about $40, 900 of the funds entrusted to
his care.
The history of the case as far as it can
be gathered at present is as follows:
Silcott was a trusted employe who
came here from Ohio, and was appointed
by Leedom when that gentleman as
sumed the office six years ago. He had
good business qualifications and soon
possessed himseltof the unlimited conf
dence his superior. Last Saturday he no
tilted Leedom that he was going to New
York and would be back Sunday night.
message was received from him dated
New York, Monday morning, saying
that he had been detained but would re
turn that night A similar message
reached his wife in this city. AS he did
not appear Tuesday Leedom was fearful
that he had been over taken by some
accident; but to satisfy rising suspicious,
began investigation. Information that
Siicott had drawn his bank balance
deepened these suspicious, and the IN
uuirv was pursued. The enormous office
safe could not be opened at the moment.
as Sicott had the combination. But
when an entrance was effected it was
found that some $40, 900, set apart tor
the use of he paying teller was in tact. The
next inquiry was made at the treasury
department, and Leedom was stunned by
the result. He was informed that Sicott
had called there Saturday, and had
| HGvnS fNnSSthlt
tor him to draw this large sum without
exciting comment as he had for long
time been charged with the duty OF col
Iecting money with which the salaries o.
the representatives are paid. SIlcott is
under bonds in the sum of 10000, his
sureties numbering about fifteen persons.
This is, however, an indemnity bond
given to the sergeant at arms, ana
Leedom, who is himself bonded in the
sum of $50 900 is directly responsible fol
the shortage. The first news OF the
state of affairs came out Just before the
House met at noon to-day; and there
was an exciting scene in the office OF the
sergeant at arms. LeedOm, who was
sitting in the rear of his office, was
surrounded by number OF members OF
, the house who were rendering advice OF
all kinds. The most practical suggestion
was adopted at once by Leedom who
appeared to be completely unnerved and
unable to act for himself; and kilograms
were dispatched to his sureties notifying
them of Silcott's disappearance and eX'
pressing a willingness to cooperate fully
III every effort to find him and secure the
5 return of the missing funds. OUTSIDE
the bank-like railing across the room
stood another crowd OF members, eVi
+ IDENTIFY anxious for themselves, as well a:
S for Leedum, as they put many queries a:
p to the amount of money lett IN the SAT-
[ and the prospects OF getting their sal
I aries. Leedom says that he would hav'
trusted SIlcott with any sum OF money
g He knew his brother well, and believed
that Silcott himself was entirely trust
{ worthy, So firm was he in this belief tina
h he had even hesitated to begin the IN
Il yestigat1on which has had such disas
s trous conclusion, fearing that SIcott hat
been sand bagged in New York or haC
i been detained by some untoward happen
n ing. What to do next, he does not know
and is seeking advice. He was just abou
e to turn over his office to the newI.
!, elected sergeant at arms, Mr.. Holmes
). but this event necessarily delays til
h transfer. ~.
oil Leedom says that it was within S
colts power to have carried OFT not les
# than $156, 900 instead of $72, 900, whic
e is missing. 1t was suggested by person
X standing near that to have carried o
J thebalance would have changedthe natur
al of the crime from embezzlement to thei
and thereby have subjected the perpetri
torto extradition, even in Canada, whit
er it is already rumored the missing ma
has fed. This is on the theory that Silcoi
y was custodian OF money drawn from tt
treasury for the payment OF salarle
10 and that his retention of this none
S, would constitute simply an embezzl
te ment; while if he had taken the none
v in the paving teller's drawer of the sat
so it would have been direct THEFT. 1t
tc stated that Leedom was victimized on
ty before by the immediate predecessor
- Silcott, but to an amount 1nSlgnlhcal
7. IN comparison with his present loss.
/ During the afternoon employees IN Il
n sergeant at arms office were busy gol
IS over the books and accounts. A stat
'3. ment secured from the treasury shoN
Ig- that last week SilCott i'll three days Ore
in S133, ,442 from the department. Out
lr- this total a considerable sum was pa
out to members. Some money W
es turned over to the paying teller to me
at current needs, and the exact 6alal
ed missing according to the books is ~
on $50. But number of representatlN
lre were in the iIabit of keeping lndIvldu
he deposits with the sergeant at arms, a
to in fact general banking business "
&C. done in the office on small scale. VIII
Ov- these losses are has not yet been asc
ase tanned. Inquiry at some OF the ban
in. this afternoon develops the fact tn
Silcott paid $4,000 in notes at the
Of tional Metropolitan bank Saturdi
ca There are also rumors that he overdr
or, his account elsewhere; but with tn
red customary reserve, the banks fail to
ca ANYTHING in confirmation. The hea
total of notes paid, above referred
goes to confirm the stories that
afloat here of extraordinary living q
en- rash speculation by the detaulter.
at Later information is to the effect Il
nat the paying teller's funds, although IN
hey same safe where Silcott kept his mon
the were protected by separate lock
So steel door, which may explain their
ION seryation.
fed Execution In New York.
NEW YORK, December 5.-Harry q
!" +op alias "HandSOme HarrY,'