Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-05
DISAPPEARANCE OF c. E. slLcoTr.
He Was Cashier in Sergeant-at-ArmS
LeedOm'S Office.
GOVERNMENT FUNDS SHORT.
A Large Amount of Public Money
Gone---The House Of Repre-
sentatives Appoints a Com
mittee to Investigate.

G. E. Silcott, cashier Of the House sergeant
alarms, John p. Leedom, has disappeared and
with him from $4,000 to 100000 in cash,
most of which was drawn from the Treasury
last Saturday to pay salaries of members. The
news came like an explosion. At first it was
reported on the streets that Mr.. Leedom had
defaulted for large amount. AS the news
gradually developed it was learned that Silcott
was the man.
The history of the case, as far as it can be
gathered at present, is as follows: Sicott was a
trusted employe, who came here from Ohio
and was appointed by Mr.. Leedom when that
gentleman assumed Office six years ago. He
had good business qualifications and soon pos
sessed himself of the unlimited confidence of
his superior Last Saturday he notified Mr.. Lee
dom that he was going to New York and would
be back Sunday night. A message was received
from him dated New York Monday morning,
saying that he had been detained, but would
return that night. similar message reached
MS wife In this city. As he did not appear
tuesday MIR. Leedom was fearful that he had
been overtaken by some accident; but
to satisfy rising suspicious, began an
investigation. The information that Silcott
had drawn his bank balance deepened these
suspicious and the inquiry was pursued. The
enormous office safe could not be opened at
but when an entrance was finally effected it
was found that some $50, 900 set apart for the
use OF the paying teller was intact. The next
inquiry was made at the Treasury department,
and MIR: Leedom was stunned by the result. He
was Informed that Silcott had called there
Saturday and had drawn about S72. 00O 1t was
possible for him to draw this large sum without
exciting comment, AS he had for long time
been charged with the duty of collecting the
money with which the salaries of the Represen-
tatives are paid.
THE AMOUNT COVERED BY BONDS.
Silcott is under bonds in the sum of Sc, 900,
his sureties numbering about fifteen persons.
This is, however, an indemnity bond given to
the sergeant-at-arms, and Mr.. Leedom, who is
himself bonded in the sum of $4,000.
is directly responsible for the shortage
fairs came out just before the House
met at noon today and there was an exciting
scene in the office of the sergeant-at-arms. Mr..
Leedom, who was sitting III the rear of his
office, was surrounded bya number of members
OF the House, who were rendering advice of all
kinds. The most practical suggestion was
adopted at once by Mr.. Leedom, who ap-
peared to be completely unnerved and
unable to act for himself, and
kilograms were dispatched to his sureties noto-
tying them OF Silcott's disappearance, and ex-
pressing willingness to Cooperate fully in
every effort to find him and secure the return
of the missing funds. Outside the bank-ike
railing across the room stood another crowd Of
members, evidently anxious for themselves as
well as for Mr.. Leedom, as they put
many queries as to the amount of money left
in the safe and the prospects of getting their
salaries. Mr.. Leedom says that he would have
trusted SilcQtt with any sum of money
He knew his brother well and believed
that silcott himself was entirely trust
worthy. So firm was he in this
belief that he had even hesitated to begin the
investigation which has had such disastrous
conclusion, fearing that Silcott had been sand
bagged i'll New York or had been detained by
some untoward happening.
What to do next he does not yet know and is
seeking advice. He was just about to turn
over his Office to the newly-elected sergeant-at-
arm. Mr.. Holmes, but this event necessarily
delays the transfer.
MIR. Leedom says that it was within Silcott's
power to have carried off not less than S156 900
instead of the $4,000, which is missing. 1t
was suggested by person standing near that to
have carried off the balance would have
changed the nature of the crime from
embezziement to theft, and thereby have
subjected the perpetrator to extradition even
in Canada, whittier, it is already rumored, the
missing man has fled. This is on the theory
that Silcott was the custodian of the
money drawn from the Treasury for
the payment of salaries, and that
had taken the money in the paying teller's
drawer of the safe it would have been di-
rect theft.
1t is stated that Mr.. Leedom was victimized
once before by the immediate predecessor of
Silcott, but to an insignificant amount.
MR.. sILcoTT's PERSONAL HABITS.
In talking with members of the House very
little could be learned concerning Mr.. Silcott's
personal habits. All the Representatives knew
him in business way but otherwise they were
unable or not willing to talk.
Enough was learned however, to make it
certain that the absconding cashier was an
ardent follower of the race track and that in
other respects his life was scarcely what could
be called highly moral.
sILCoTTs APPEARANCE.
Silcott was well known to at least 100 of the
old members. His little STOPPING figure and
his gray head were familiar to every one who
had had occasion to 60 to the Office of the SER
geant-at-arms to draw money in the last Con-
gress. Many OF the new members had become
acquainted with him during the past summer.
He was, to all appearances, a man of good
habits steady and trustworthy. Among his
people in Ohio he had borne good reputa-
ton.
Silcott came from Youngstown, Ohio, where
he was merchant for many years. The bond
is in Mr.. Leedom's private safe, out west. In
answer to question about Silcott's habits Mr.
Leedom said he seemed to have no more than
the ordinary mans share Of vices. "He was
one of the most economical men have ever
known. used to quarrel with him about his
wearing such cheap clothing" Silcott has been
cashier for about six years. He handled about
S5.00O000 year.
Last Saturday night he left this city and
went, so he told Sergeant-at-Arms LeedOm, to
New York, there to collect large sum of
money which he stated was due him He was
to return on Monday, and he so telegraphed
his wife and Mr.. Leedom on Sun
day, but Mondays sun rose and set
and the moon came up, but Silcott came not
1t was generally understood that the money
which Silcott went after had been loaned by
him to certain members of Congress, but
whether it was his own or whether il was from
the funds of the House has not yet been estab-
lished.
1t is definitely known that Silcott made away
with $4,000, which he had drawn to pay the
salaries of members and that he had also taken
out OF the safe $4,000 which belonged
to MIR. LeedOm and $4,000 which, it
Is supposed, belonged to himself 1t is
said that he considerably left behind him and
III the safe the sum of $50, 600, but neither the
members who wanted cash nor the sergeant-at-
arms could find it. On Friday or Saturday, the
general cannot be positive which, Gen. Clark
then clerk of the House, signed the certificate
as to the membership of the House, and on this
Silcott could draw about S15OOOO. 1t may be
that the defalcation is greater than heretofore
suspected.
There were a good deal Of t1ismav md N n lack