Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-03
THE HELLMAN CASE.
EVIDENCE GIVEN AT THE EXAMIN-
ALTON YESTERDAY.
Special Agent Clark on the Stand-He
Tells the Story of Hellman's Appoint
ment-The Amount He is Alleged to be
Short.

The preliminary examination of
Marco Hellman on charge of embez-
zling about $1100 from companies which
he represented here, was resumed before
Justice Stanton yesterday morning.
Special Agent H. H. Smith and w. F.
Clark, confidential clerk to Messrs.
Cotton, Bell & Co.. of San Francisco,
who are state agents for the companies
represented by the defendant, were the
only witnesses examined.
According to Mr.. Smiths story,
Marco Hellman, the defendant was
given the local agency for the Union
Assurance society and the General In
surance company in the early part of
February. He did a good business,
making as much as $400 per month
commission. The rules of the company
require a report from all agents
at the end of each month, and
the payment of all money on policies
within sixty days after it has been re-
ceived. Hellman kept everything
straight up to June 1st, but for the
month OF June and July made no set
tlement.
1t is during these months that the
young man is charged with embezzling
funds belonging to the company. The
amount he received during that time is
placed at $l084. Mr.. Smith was sent
down from San Francisco on October
18th to look INTO the affairs of the
agency. Hellman had sent check to-
San Francisco for 5000 in part payment
OF his back accounts, which was dishon-
ored when presented at the bank, there
being no funds to meet it.
The witness met Hellman on the 18th
of October, and they went over the
books together, Hellman telling him the
amounts he had collected, which aggre-
gated nearly all charged up during the
two months named, and which should
have been settled September 1st. He'll
money but would endeavor to obtain it
so at once. The young man returned in
few hours and said he could not raise
the amount.
paid by noon on the following Monday
he would have to act in accordance with
instructions from the company and let
tuO law tdhO ltS CoutSc. llclludu tclo-
graphed to San Francisco for further
time, and Smith was ordered to wait
twenty-four hours. He found the young
agent about IL 80 Tuesday morning and
reminded him that he had but half an
hour to pay up. He said he couldn't get
the money for week or so.
Smith then told him he would have
to act according to instructions and
h.x,, Io1l
retorted, "Well, I'll just cancel those
policies and then there will be nothing
due the company, and If you want to see
me this afternoon I'll be at the races"
His arrest followed within few hours.
On cross-examination the witness did
not deviate from his direct testimony in
any material points.
Mr.. Clark testified that he came to
the city for the purpose of examining
the defendants books, upon receipt OF
letter from Meyberg Bros, who were
upon Hellman's bond. Their letter
expressed a desire to withdraw from the
bond. The witness examined the books
and found about $1100.du his firm on
September 1st. He learned at the bank
that there was an overdraft OF $500 on
defendants account.
Mr.. Hellman acknowledged to wit
ness that he made use of the money and
promised to make it good. Mr.. Clark
also testified to conversations held with
Messrs. Meyberg, in which the defend
ants standing was discussed.
The witness stated that there was an
arrangement made between his firm
and the defendant by which Hellman
was to have salary of $500 per month,
beginning with August, when he was to
be made district agent. The new agree
ment also provided that he would have
ninety days to make his returns instead
OF sixty days,as under the original terms
upon which the agency was established.
The case will be resumed Wednesday
morning.