The herald., 1893-09-17
ARTHUR / STEWART DECAnPEG
The Chief Deputy Street Super
intendent a Defaulter.
A Big Copper Cent All He Left In
the Safe.
Tho Discovery Made Yesterday Morning,
How tho Young Man Stole the
Funds-Mr. Watson VIII Make.
Good the Amount.

~~~~
has gone with him.
The deiaulter left the city yesterday
morning, after having taken every dol
lar from the Office.
TIE announcement OF the defalcation
created sensation around the city hall
yesterday. The news leaked out as
esrly az 10 o'clock in the forenoon, when
" was discovered that ythe inside doors
of the safe could not be unlocked.
STEWART GOT UP EARLY.
Young Stewart, who has been trust
cd deputy since Mr.. Watson's induction
into office, must have got up very early
yesterday morning. He was at the office
before any of the other officials, but re-
mained only few minutes. Hs left q
note on Mr.. Watson's desk saying that
he had gone to Santa Monica to make
arrange ments to secure money with
which to make up the shortage Of $273
that was discovered to be missing last
week.
Stewart had loaned the amount to q
friend to make pay ment on some prop
erty.
THE FIRST SHORTAGE. ~
At the meeting of the council last
Monday the report OF the special COM
mittee appointed to investigate the
affairs of the superjntendent's Office WAS
brought up, as published in the HERALD
Of Tuesday morning. 1t showed a short
age OF 1878. 1t has since developed that
he was short in his accounts in q larger
sum. But IL was never thought that he
had through pure criminal intention
gotten away with the money. The act
was considered simply as an indiscre-
ton, which has proven to be costly
one. st Fs~ty 4
Superintendent Watson had intended
to discharge Stewart yesterday, 30 it is
understood, but the young man took
the precaution to not turn up. w hen
Mr.. Watson scanned the note he wac
not greatly alarmed, but began an inn
mediate bat quiet Investigation.
HE LEFT COPPER CENT.
The fret door Of the safe was found to
be unlocked, but the inside door and
cash doors were securely bolted. The
locks were broken and the discovery
made that all the money was gone. One
lonely copper cent remained az. a gentle
reminder that he did not wish to en-
tirely deplete the safe. ~
THE TOTAL SHORTAGE. u
i. Mr.. Davis, an expert. was immedi-
ately put to work on the books. He
worked on them all day, and at 10
O'Clock last night found the total short
age to be $l693.39.
. no fsxn
found that he was short $90.01; from
the incidental fund he took $201. .h3,
while in the sidewalk and bnilding fund
he was found to be shon$ l400.95.
THE SHERIFF NOTIFIED. .yrzczsa
The sheriff's Office was mott isedaabonk
2 O'Clock, and within aiew honrs tele-
grams were sent to every place ehRre he
was likely to 20 or pass siM his Stttmpt
to escape. He was seen onlthe street at
8 O'Clock yesterday morning, but since
then NO trace of him has been found. 1t
10 thought that he had no more than
5000 or 500 on his person when he took
his sidden departure. W
HIS METHOD OF OPERATING. sq
It was discovered that Stewart was
very clever operator. He had planned
with great accuracy. He was so sue
7: cessful in his opsrationsS that be- fooled
the expert when bis books were inves-
tigated week or two ago.
The superintendent of streets had
about 5000 on deposit in the Southern
California National bank, ont ofswhich
amount Stewart got the $50. From the
deposit In the Farmers and Merchants
bank he managed to secure $72O, and he
took the item of $201 from money paid.
into the office for permits, licenses, etc.
1t is evident that he made the larger
hauls before the 9th inet., as all ac-
counts at the banks had been checked
up and found to be correct.
HE "AIDED" THE EXPERT.
It was in the Office where he got in
his fine work. The expert had balanced
the cash twice, and was fooled by young
: Stewart, who always took deep interest
in, 'slding" the accountant in bis inyes-
LEGATIONS. Expert Davis found out that
Friday night one page of checks
was missing, and it is thought Stewart
took them on the outside. His mode OF
stealing was made easy from the man
\ ner in which the books. were kept.
The expert, however said he stole very
smoothly.
Stewart was very affable, intelligent
young man Of pleasing address and
good family. He is probably % or 20
years old. His many friends, among
whom are some of the substantial men
Of the city, will be greatly shocked
when they know the facts OF his crime.
WATSON WILL MAKE GOOD THE AMOUNT.
Superintendent Watson stated laet
night that the shortage would be made
mp Immediately. He will present
report Of the situation to the council
tomorrow, in which he will etate the
ehortage, and how Stewart managed to
get away with the money. Mr.. Watson,
Of course, feels very bad about the mat
ter, and says that the city will not lose
cent by Stewards acts. z4gt fs
HIS MOTHER BROKEN HELRTED.
A HERALD reporter visited young
Stewnft's residence at 1908 Grand ave.
nue. last evening, but his mother, Mrs.
Nv. ii. Stewart, was absent. His father
= IN Oregon. 1t was learned, however.
that the missing young man had not
peens ct homo the previous night. In
khe forenoon he sent q friend, n Mr..
Hopperstead, to inform bis mother that
ne had gone to Catalina and would be
home tonight. When Mrs.l Stewart
learned the facts in the matter she was
'slnncst broken hearted. s,s,t, n
COULD HAVE HAD HELP. spt