The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-01-31
MooRE's BAD BREAK.

The i.di.natoais Dsfaultet's Shortage
Eatiinatsd 49, Hlshs - $3.50. ooo-HS
Makes 8 8tatAtnent.
txp1AsApo11s, Ind, Jan aa-Jossph A;
Moore has not yet been arreSted, and no
criminal proceedinRs have been begun
against him. He is remaining in seclusion
in the city and positively refuses to sec
anybody or say any thing for publication
about his troubles. w. G. Abbott, vice.
president Of the Connecticut Mutual Com
pany, 10 here with q professional ao-
countant, and It. was through their efforts
that Moore's dishonesty was made public.
It is thought his defalcatlon will be con-
siderably in excess of 100000. He was
also agent for the German-Americen, Fire
mans Fund, City Of London and Imperial
Of London insurance companies, and is
supposed to be short in his accounts with
them. One estimate places his total short
age at $3.50, 600. i.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Jan. GA reporter
has succeeded in obtaining an interview
with Joseph A. Moore He is atepresent
closely combining himself to his residence
in the city. He talked with considerable
freedom, denying the rumors that deposit
ors in his bank would suffer. He stated
that he had turned over to the Connecti-
cut Mutual property worth 1000. When
asked it he knew what course the officers
of the insurance company would pur-
sue he said he did not. He
was waiting for developments, and
had remained here to face the conse-
qusnces Of hi; acts, although he had had
ample time after being informed that an
investigation was to be made, to leave tho
country. When Mr.: Abbott, the investi-
gator, came, he told him the whole truth,
concealing nothing, however trivial, and
told him he could always be found when
wanted. He would neither go away nor
commit suicide. His troubles, he said,
d ted back to 1880. Continuing, Mr.: Moore
said:
In 1879 a law was passed prohibiting foreign
corporations fro m bringing suit in the Federal
Court. That destroyed my business. For two
or three years did nothing at I'LL and became
very Respondent. Just before that, a short
time, had gone into bankruptcy, and an init.
mate friend who had Endorsed my paper was
heavy loser: always considered that
was in honor bound to repay him. and it
was In an attempt to do this that my
present troubles reully began. I had no bus:-
ness, and yet had heavy running expenses. At
the same time I was striving to repay my
friend the money he had lost by me. had
loaned great sums OF money for the company
represented. taking real-estate security. Aft
er the panic the borrowers were unable to pay
of the mortgages and the property fell back
into our hands. 1t had deprecated greatly in
value and was naturally run down and in very
bad repair. I felt myself more or less at fault
in having placed the loans so badly, though in
reality had done the best could. Twas ex-
tremely sensitive on this point. I saw the
company losing thousands Of dollars on in
vestments that had been made On my judg.
ment. All these things piled Upon me,
and as time passed on grew more
nd more burdensome. Many time felt as
though should lose my mind. 1 was beset on
every side and felt bound to do something to
relieve myself, and yet there was nothing
could do. At this point went to New York
and began to speculate in stocks had fair
success, too, and made some money. but when
ever came back here lost my head and every
thing went wrong
Moore declined to say how much he had
lost in stock speculation.