The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-17
LOST AT GAMBLING.
Where Ross Share of Doodle
Was Disposed OF.
MAY BE CHARGED WITH FORGERY.
Startling story About the Grifnsh Com
pany's IS 900 Note--Ross Closely
Watched at Victoria

L. d. Ross, the most active, If not the
largest, borrower from the city treasurer
under the wide-open administration OF
Krug, is still in Victoria. where he went
ito find krug," his friends explained,
though developments yesterday indicate
that his prolonged stay in the British
Columbia capital is due as much to regsrd
for his own liberty. He has taken up his
headquarters at the Driard house, as
though he thought krug would come there
10 be found. Chief Jackson and Detective
Cndihee went there yesterday, and Ross
seems to have come to the coDclu-
sion that they are looking for him,
for he last night, according to a
dispatch from Victoria, locked himself in
his room and told all visitors that he was
out. A particular friend of his, who is
there with him, says that Ross had no
idea that Krug was about TO abscond and,
aftef he had done so, went to Victoria 10
induce him to return before his defalca-
ton was exposed. thinking it could be
prevented. Another story is that Ross
was afraid his friend would commit sui
eide, and followed him to prevent it.
There is little danger that Ross will get
away without the police knowing where
he has gone, for not only are Chief Jack
son and Detective Cudihee in Victoria,
but Detective Bolton Rogers occupies the
adjoining room to his at the Driard and
thereby increases the kids nervous
ness.
Good reason for Ross absence is said to
have come out at the secret meeting of the
finance committee of the city council yes
terday. l.. II. Griffith. president of the
L. II. Griffith Realty & Banking Company,
of which Ross was formerly vice presi-
dent, was before the committee and is
said to have testified that the note for
5000 from his company, which was found
among krug's assets, and was signed by
Ross as vice president, was not authorized
by the officers of the company and that
Ross had no authority to sign it, nor had
the company received any of the proceeds.
This gave rise to rumor that Ross was to
be arrested Tor forgery. Mr.. Griffith, how
ever, denies that he has made criminal
information against Ross.
This testimony leaked out and set
rumor to work on Mr.. Ross transactions
and it was not merciful him. One report
was that the $4,000 note found in the city
treasury to secure deposits. according to
given by the Griffith Company, but
that the original had been found
by Mr.. Griffith among the papers in his
safe. Other reports tell of peculiar
transactions by which Ross made a
very advantageous arrangement for board
for himself at the Griffith house, and yet
others relate to considerable sums of money
obtained by him in various ways which are
0f fnr tha 81 . he
company. When asked about these re-
ports. Mr.. Griffith would say nothing fur
Their than that his business relations with
Ross had not been satisfactory and that for
some months Ross had not been connected
with his company. The disappearance of
the large sums which Ross has raised dur
ing the last few years is explained by the
fact that he has been an inyeterate and
unsuccessful poker player 1t is more than
probable that several thousands of the
city's money has gone over the gambling
table.
A short time after the municipal election
held in this city, March. 1892 l.. ID. Ross
became frequent visitor a. Ben. +. Gold
waters cigar store, corner OF Yesler avenue
and Second street. In the course of con-
versation he asked if there was card
game in the back room. He was informed
that poker game was running and no
one outside of professional men and mer-
chants were admitted. He was introduced
TO the game and commenced playing. On
the game breaking up at supper time he
paid the amount he had lost, a small sum,
about $40, and said he would be around
again soon. Afterwards he became con-
slant player until the latter part of octo-
Der. 1892 and furthermore to show his in
fatuation for the game he would telephone
to the cigar store between l. and O'Clock
in the day to save a seat for him. Ii he
left the table for supper he generally in
structed Goldwater whether or no
he would return for the even
ing session. On great many
occasions, on leaving the table he would
take an envelope out Of his inside pocket
and pay his losings in currency. From
the time he commenced playing up TO the
latter part of October there were no
charges made against him, owing 10 the
fact that he would Immediately pay his
debts. lie was evidently afraid that the
officials of the L. II. Griffith Banking aud
Realty Company might learn of his weak
ness for the green table and took every
possible means TO guard against dIscov-
cry. Never during his reckless career did
ne issue check for gambling debt, but
went around on the following day and
paid Ia cash, and cautioned Goldwa'er,
when in the presence of L. ii. Griffith, TO
say nothing about the game. frequently
at the close of game he was asked:
How did you quit 7" and during all the
time he played ne never said that he ''quit
loser" He always claimed 10 be even or a
lev dollars head, while in truth he as
running behind so every sitting.
BY the majority II players he was con-
ssdered a soft snap. as be had no more
idea of judging an opponents hand, or
knowing what his own Vas worth than