The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-03-22
Senator Rsach.s Break.

The rumors Of the intended rssiens-
ton Of ". y Roach almost as soon a. he
bad been elected United States Senator
from North Dakota and his return TO
Washington, where be Formerly lived,
have brought to light an extraordinary
story Of his life, recalling the fact tilaE be
vas deizulting cashier Of the Citzsns'
National Rank, Of that city, Of which ex-
Postmaster General John A. J. CreswelI
vas president.
Il IS stated that in August, 1872, Presi-
dent CressTell satisfied himself that
Roach had been using the banks money
and altering the books 70 hide his crime.
and the president consequently sent one
Of his trusted stockholders 70 find Roach
and the messenger returned with the
statement that Mr.. Roach didn't know
theexaet amount, as he had never kept
any account Of what he had taken, bot
he thought il vas about $4,000. Il was
found afterwards 10 he over S64, ,O00s and
Of this bis bOndsmen paid into the bank
$4,000. There Was realized from prop
erty be had boaght With the banks mon
ey ard which Was found Ia his posses
sion about $4,000. The rest the bank
had 10 lose. No restitution Of any part
has ever been made. as far as can be as
eertained, to the bank or his securities
His bond given to the Citizens Bank
wss for So, 1000, and was signed by the
following well knOEn citizens Of Wash
ington: DR.. c. W. Leibermsn (his faith
er-in-laEl Richard Lay, Dr.. ]. B. Blake,
y. Acker, all Of whom are now dead, and
Moses Kelley and David Walker, still
living. Before going upon Mr R0aeh's
bond they were all indemniied by Mr..
Lsibermaa, who, when the embezzlement
came 10 light. promptly piad the amount
Of the bond, thereby relieving the others,
as be had originally agreed 10 DO if any
liability was incurred by them
The officers Of the bank are reticsnt in
regard 70 the affair, but they admit ths
truth Of the statements made ROsch
was never indicted. Jacob Tome, OfCe-
ell county, Nd, who owned twO-thirds Of
the capital stock ofthe bank at the time
Of the embezzlsment, confirms the state
ment given concerning R0sch's wrong
doing, and says that be refused to allow
Of any compromise With Roach's friends.
RoAcH's DAKOTA cAEEER-
On his arrival in North Dakota Roach
secured a contract for carrying the mails
between Grand Forks and Fort Totten,
distance Of 100 miles, through Wild and
uainhabited country. There he carried
tie mail on sledges all one winter. Be-
fore his contract expired one Of his hOrs-
e died from exposure, and he was going
20 throw the contract mp, but he secured
from friend loan Of 500 on his unin-
do7sed note and bought another horse.
Within a year lie paid back this note
and the reputation fer honesty thus gain
sd stood MIN IN good stead. He soon be-
came Eouored and trusted. and was
known throughout the state IS a man of
coed standing in business. Then ne en-
tered politics, ara for several years has
been one Of the most influential Demo-
Gratis in the state.
Senator Roach is a quiet, self possessed
man, with finely ehiseled features. HIS
mustache is white, although his hair has
Otyet begun TO lose its handsome chest
nut hue. His chin is resoluie, his eye Is
direct and cold and MS voice IS firm and
evenly mOduiated.
Mr. Roach was seen by a reporter, and,
although guarded in his talk, admitted
MS wrong doing, but said il Ess an in
Justice to revive the story at this late day.
He was elected by a combination Of Dem
oerats, Populisis and Republicans.
Roach is 81 years old and widOwer.
he has two sons in Georgetown College.
He Owls a IJ00-acre wheat farm in North
Dakota. and in lSSi vas the only Demo-
cratic mem fsr offha Dakota Iegislature