New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-26
COLE.W. DAVIS A DEFAULTER
UNABLE TO BEAR HIS DISGRACE. HE FLEES
FROM JUSTICE.
THE SHORTAGE IN HIS ACCOUNTS PROBABLY
LESS THAN s1o,ooo-THE LOSS WILL FALL
MOSTLY on HIS CHIEF, SHERIFF
HINES, OF NEWARK.

The people of Newark were startled Yesterday
by the announcement that Colonel f. w. Davis,
the chief deputy of Sheriff Edwin Hines, Of
Essex County, was defaulter and had left tho
city The news was hardly credited until con-
frmed by officials of the County Court-House.
where an examination of the books of the Sher-
itf's Office was in progress.
Colonel Davis was a brave soldier in the late
war, enlisting a private and attaining the rank
Of major and licutenant-colonel by brevet in the
5th New-Jersey Volunteers. About twenty-one
years ago he appointed chief deputy by Sheriff
Teed, and such was his capacity and the confidence
reposed In him that he has held the place ever
since, both under Republican and Democratic
Sherfs. For many years he has been the real
Sheriff, all the important affairs OF the Office
being in his hands. For about ten years he has
been Lieutcnant-Colonel of the 1st Regiment.
National Guard of Newark
Colonel Davis left his home No 80 Lncoln-ave..
on Monday night He did not return and on
Thursday his wife received a letter from him
postmarked Brooklyn in which he informed her
of his difficulties and said that she would never
soc him again. he could not remain and face
exposure. Constable Cyrus Benedict also received
letter from him saying he could not stand she
disgrace which was impending for him. sThe let
uer WIS dated Monday al p. m.
In addition 10 Sheriff Illness business Colonel
Davis had charge of the unsettled affairs OF
former sherifrs. and particularly those of ex-
Sheriff Brown, who was Illness predecessor in
Office. lie under no bonds, and the loss
will fall principally upon Hines and Brown.
Sheriff Hines said Yesterday: /" | cannot tell how
much the shortage is in the accounts of the office
until the examination Of the books is completed.
! don't think it will reach $4,000. There is a
shortage in the cash account but the chancery
account which is by far the largest is all right.
The money missing is from the criminal business.
Fines and costs have been paid in and properly
last saw the Colonel on Monday. when he said
he would be away on Tuesday. He did not
turn up on Wednesday, and the following day
his sister and daughter came here and said he
had not been home since Tuesday They seemed
greatly troubled. and my suspicious were aroused,
SO ! began an examination Of the books.
Colonel DavlsS salary $1,000 lie did rot
gamble or speculate. ard was not eXtavaganf.
Lately he was noticed 10 drink good deal and
his friends now attribute this to his mental
worry. IL was said Yesterday that if lie had
formed purpose to rob his trust le could have
taken an almost unlimited amount OF money as
there was positively no check upon his opportun-
ties Sheriff Hines went to Florida recently. and
before leaving Newark he left twenty blank checks
signed with his name for Colonel Davis to ill
up. The Sheriff had 900 of chancerv money
in the Orange National Bank. which Davis could
have drawn at his pleasure.
II will be several days before the accounts Of
the Sherihs Office which in chaotic
clifton. can he Strengthened up. and the full ex-
tent of the shortage ascertained. In Grand Army
circles the disappearance of Colonel Davis and
the developments al the Sheriff office cauaed A
profound sensation. and the matter was subject
Of regretfnl comment in all the LAWYERS Offices
Late last night il rumored that IL was
known where Davis Ex-Shcrf Brown left
town, and it was presumed that he knew whore
Davis was. RefOre going. he said he would find
Davis dead or alive. II was also rumored that
former Newark woman. who is in Brook.
lyn has had great deal to do with Daviss
downfall