Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-05
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Nicholas Leech, Bookkeeper for Holmes,
Rowlen & Co., Arrested at Buffalo
Speculation As to His Alleged De-
falcation.
Nicholas Leech, the missing bookkeeper
for Holmes, Rowlen & Co., commission
stock merchants of the East End, was
brought back to the city yesterday. 1t is
alleged he is short in his accounts and that
he is now in the custody Of a Pinkerton de-
tective. No information has been made
against him but the detective who arrested
him in Buffalo has him in charge at hotel.
Mr.. Leech left home Sunday morning,
October %. He told his wife that he was
going to Butler with friend to buy apples.
He did not return that night, and his
friends and employers became uneasy. In
few days rumors that his accounts were
short became circulated, and the firm put an
accountant to work on the books. They
soon had evidence, it was alleged, that
there had been a serious defalcation. One
transaction that came to light showed that
obtained 81, 800 by drawing sight
draft on a. Baltimore party with
whom his firm transacted business. The
mode of doing business with this firm was
when Holmes, Rowlen & Co. made ship
ment to the Eastern firm they made draft
for the amount of the bill, the bill was at
tached to it, and the bank cashed it
and forwarded it East for pay
ment. When the 800 draft reached
Baltimore, the firm there returned word
that they owed Holmes, Rowlen & Co. no
money. This led to "a correspondence, the
affair came to light and the draft was paid
to avoid trouble.
A few DAYS ago word was received of
Leech's whereabouts. Mr.. Charles Wennar,
a resident of the East End, returned home
from his vacation trip to Buffalo and Cana
dian points and gave the information that
he had left Leech in Buffalo.
Mr.. Holmes, the senior member of the
firm of Holmes Rowlen & Co, who was seen
at his home on Frankstown avenue last
evening, said that as soon as the firm learned
Leech was in Buffalo they sent Pinkerton
detective after him. The officer found
him, returned with him yesterday morning
and took him to hotel. Mr.. Rowlen, of
had an interview with him to en-
deavor to obtain some information as to
what he had taken and what he had done
with the money. They obtained from him
81, $40, all the money he had left, but got
no satisfaction as to what had become of
what else he had taken.
Mr.. Holmes was asked what would be
the total amount of the shortage.
81 don't KNOW" he replied.
'Will it reach S., 5,OO0?'
Mr. Holmes seemed loath to make an
answer, but his daughter who was present
and who is concerned in the firm. spoke up
quickly and said: 'It will be three times
5000
Continuing Mr. Holmes said that Leech
had been good and trusted employe. He
had always borne a remarkably good char
acter and he knew of no bad habits he had.
Mr.. Holmes added that he had trusted him
as son, and the tears came to his eyes as
he spoke. He did not know whether
they would prosecute him or not. No in
formation has been made against him, and
they might not make one on account of his
family, his wife being nearly heart broken
over the affair. The accountant is still at
work making an audit of their books.
Mr.. Holmes would not say at what hotel
the officer had Leech, but intinated that it
was downtown hotel. None of the other
of the firm could be seen.
Leech, the bookkeeper, is fine looking
man about 40 years of age. He has wife
and four children, the oldest of whom is II
years of age His home is on Louden
street, East End.