The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-27
SKAGGS GIVES UP.
The Missing Express Agent
Coming Back for Trial.
HIS SHORTAGE ALL PAID BACK.
He Surrenders Rather Than Continue
In Fear OF Arrest-He May Not
Be Prosecuted.

Thomas La Fayette Skaggs. formerly To-
cal agent of the Northern Pacific Express
company, who mysteriously disappeared
January , 1890, has at last been heard
from. From an authentic private source
II was learned yesterday that last Thurs
DAY ne gave himself up 10 the Chicago
authorities, admitted that he was a de-
iauiter from Seattle, and is now on his way
10 this city in charge of detective to
stand trial. He should have arrived in
Portland last evening. If he did he will
be In Seattle today.
Ihe disappearance of Skaggs will he re-
membered by nearly every one who lived
IN Seattle two years ago, for he was well
and favorably known. The PosT-INTELLI-
GENcER published the fact that he was
missing on Wednesday, January 6. 1890.
AT hrst 1t was believed he had been foully
dealt with, and his many friends in this
city and in Oregon were very anxious and
deeply concerned as to his safety. An ex-
animation of his books revealed nothing
crooked. HIS room in the Mallory build
ing was searched, and in it was his trunk,
and the furniture about the place was Just
as he usually left it, implying that he in
tended returning. Weeks passed and he
was not heard from. He had as completely
dropped out of sight as if the earth had
swallowed him up, and his friends began
to believe him dead.
1t was at least month after he disap-
peared before charges of embezzlement
were preferred against him. Then it was
given out that he was short in his accounts
at least $500. Later it was rumored he was
81, 500 short, and still later the sum al
legged to have been embezzled was 5000
All this time no word was received from
Skaggs, and his mother, who lives in
Oregon and is highly respected, believed
him dead, and the fact that heis still alive
and has given himself up, admitting that
he is defaulter, will be a startling piece
of information to all who knew him.
As yet little is known of his story. He
left Seattle for Fairhaven, from there he
went to Vancouver and then made his
way to ST. Paul. where he has ever since
been living under an assumed name and
continuously fearful that he would be
located by the authorities. He finally
concluded that he would rather take his
medicine like man and pay the penalty
of his misdeeds by giving himself up and
standing trial. This he did last Thursday
in Chicago. Full reparation has been
made the Northern Pacific Express Com
pany, however, for all discrepancies in his
accounts and it is doubtful whether he
will be prosecuted.
Skaggs is now about % years old. When
he lived in Seattle two years ago he was
very good looking, and made many friends
by his frank and affable manners. His
early life was spent in Eugene, Or, where
he was employed in the Northern Pacific
Express Company's Office, and after time
became agent. He showed such marked
aptitude and cleverness at the work that
he was transferred to the Portland Office,
and from there was sent to this city and
put in full charge of the company's
office. Wine and women can safely be
said to have been the cause of his down
fall. He fell in with fast set of young
men of his own age and neglected his
work. He suddenly dropped out of sight,
and from that day until the present time
nothing was heard of him.
Several months after his disappearance
an expert examined the company's books
and found shortage of but 1924, and one
half of that sum was due Skaggs on his
salary. He could have taken great deal
more, had he been inclined for the money
was in the office. and the day he went
away he turned over to his cashier two
diamond rings valued at $1,000, belonging
to Seattle patrons who were strangers to
him. These facts and many minor cir
cumstances all combined, causes one OF his
Seattle friends, who is well known in the
city, to doubt his sanity. Said he last
evening:
For good while skaggs had not attended to
his business properly and, when the Christmas
rush of business came he became all mixed up
and didn't know whether he was standing on
his head or his feet. The money came into
the Office and went out so fast no account was
kept, and don't believe that he took a cent
but what was coming 10 him. III he had been
told that the office showed a shortage of 81 90,
he would have undoubtedly believed it because
he did not know what was going on. He
appreciated fully that the condition of the Office
was due 10 his own csrelessness and il preyed
his mind until he LETT the city. lie was
ashamed of himself and he did not know how
much money he had spent. do not believe he
viii be prosecuted when he arrives here.
His widowed mother is Frustrated with
grief. She would not believe her son dis
honest. ana had long since given him up
as dead; but when the news came that he
had given himself up and had admitted he
was a defaulter, it was more than she
could stand and her life is now despaired of.