The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-01-23
Geo. s. POwlisOn Succeeds in
Embedding Several Thou
sands from w. w. Z.
Mcconnell.
A Systematic. Well Devised
Plan of Stealing, Extending
Over Months.
A Bit of Powlison'S Past History
The Police VainIy Searching
for Him


as was ever carried on in Southern
Minnesota. has come to light. The
plan was cunningly laid and has been
successfully carried out for
months past, perhaps for over a year.
The victims are w. W. p. Mcconnell,
the well-known dry goods merchant,
and his partner, Col. VIM. Thomas.
The magnitude of the operations and
the boldneSS of the execution are al
most incredible, and would scarcely
be believed, were not the unimpeach-
able evidence at hand. as well as the
confession of the guilty party. The
latter is Geo. 5. PowliSOn, who has
been resident of this city for the past
fourteen months, and whose religious
ferver and pleasant address have gain
ed him the confidence and respect of all
with whom he has come in contact.
Mir. PowlisOn came to MankatO
from some point in Kansas about Dec.
lst. 1899 and entered the employ of
Mr.. Mcconnell. He bore excellent
recommendations, and his cleyerneSs
and ability soon secured him the posi-
tiOn Of head salesman. Two months
after his arrival he was given full
charge of the mail order department
of the store, which is a large part OF
the business. In February last he
was united in marriage with one OF
the most popular and attractive young
ladies of the city and since then they
have occupied finely furnished apart
ments over Mr. McConnell's store.
Mr.. PowlisOn. Immediately on his ar
rival: evinced deep interest
IN RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
He became regular attendant at
the Congregational church his voice
was often heard at the prayer meet
ings He assisted in organizing and
became superintendent Of the West
Mankato Mission Sunday school.
which has flourished under his man
agement He was also active in the
affairs of the Y. p. S. G. E. 1t is now
supposed that all this interest in
church affairs was feigned, for the
purpose of gaining the confidence of
his employer and deluding him and
others.
Several months ago. Mr.. Mcconnell
suspected that his clerk was receiving
too largea mail. and was unfayorably
impressed by the fact that he would
have many money orders caShed dur
ing the noon hour while Mr.. Mcconnell
was absent from the post office. The
latter had intended to discharge the
fellow. but did not.
The first direct intimatiOn that
anything was wrong came to Mr.. Nc
GOnnell about two weeks ago, when
he received letter from Mrs. Ii. 5.
Ellis. a milliner and dreSsmaker, of
Window. inclosing letter from Pow
liSOn to her. 1t seems that she bad
sent him draft for S21.25 payable to
Mr.. Mcconnell. Powlison returned
it to her asking her to make it paya-
bic to him. alleging that each clerk
was anxious to show the greatest
amount of sales. as that system was
in operation in the store. This same
excuse was used on other occasions.
Mr.. Mcconnell at once began a quiet
investigation. and has continued ii
ever since, with some astounding de.
velopmentS He found out that his
trusted employee had established q
system of agencies, to which he ship
ped goods from the store. and pocket.
ed part or whole of the receipts
There were no less than
THIRTY-SIX AGENCIES.
located in various portions of South,
ern Minnesota and one in Dakota. A
well known young man OF this city
had Powlison's confidence and estab.
lished the agencies. while being EN-.
ployed by Mr.. Mcconnell to travel fol-
and advertise the firm. Goods were
shipped TO these agents and remit
tances were received by PowliSon
This was not dete tied, as he haC
charge of the mail orders. anC
10y plausible statements. managed t.
have the letters sent to him. Mr.
Mcconnell had an interview with thu
Young man who established the agen
cies. and he confessed his share in tn,
knavery. He could doubtless be pro
secuted as party TO the embezzle
ment. were it desirable. Owing t.
his hitherto good character, and tn
possibility that he may not have beei
= fully cognizant of all that was trans
piring. his name is at this time with
held from the public.
Powlison kept complete private Sc
of accounts with his different agen
cies. carrying them in note books il
his pockets. 1t is thought that at leas