The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-28
VAN ALIEN BUN DOWN.
Defaulting Insurance Agent
Caught in California.
HOW HE TOOK FRENCH LEAVE.
Resigned and Left without Accounting
for $4,000 Of the Fidelity and
Casualty Cempsay's Cash.

John H. Van Alien, until recently gem
erai agent in this city for the Fidelity and
Casualty Company. Of New York. and
well-known young man about town. ana
who has been missing since last Septem-
Der. was found yesterday at Bridgeville,
Cal. by an officer from this city and will
be brought back in . few days to answer to
the charge Of embeszlement Of ABOUT 500
OF the funds of the company.
On September Is, Van Alien rendered his
resignation as agent for the company, but
without waiting for the formality OF hav-
ing it accepted left his Office in charge of
his young lady stenographer and departed
for parts unknown. Charles Watson,
special agent Of the company. st once came
on to check Van Aliens accounts. but
found that the agent had absconded. The
stenographer was in possession OF the once
and fixtures by virtue Of . bill OF sale
which Van Allen had given her in pay
ment for wages due. This matter was
settled By Mr.. Watson paying her arrear-
ages in exchange for release of the bill Of
sale. An examination OF the books showed
that Van Alien had collected premiums
TO the extent Of about s.. 500 Of which no
accounting had been maze. The case was
at once placed in the hands OF detectives.
but no clue could be obtained to Van
Aliens Whereabouts until about month
ago, when Detective Bolton Rogers, OF
this city, took the matteDactiveiy In hand.
Word was received that Van Alien had
been seen in California. and in short
time he was located in Bridgeville, an out
of the way place near EUREKA. Ten days
ago J. L. Wells arrived with the necessary
requisition papers, was sent to California.
and last evening the following telegram
Was received from him:
s.BRIpsrvrLLE, Cal, March q, 1894.
ssBolton Rogers, Seattle, Wash: Have
Van Alien in custody. Leave here Thurs
day for Eureka. Leave Eureka Saturday
for San Francisco. WILLS"
Van Alien during his stay In Seattle
aspired to be leader in society. and was
q member of the Washington Club
and various other social orgahiza-
tions He was an expert billiard player.
at one time holding the amateur
championship Of the Coast, and also en-
joyed quiet game Of poker. Being OF
convivial disposition he made quite cir
Gle of friends. who were deeply chagrined
at his downfall. 1t is thought his short
age was due to his expensive habits. and
not because OF any special vices.
Van Alien was originally from Albany,
N. Y, but was Q resident Of California for
about six years previous to coming to Sc
attic in the latter part of 1880.
j. II. Powell. of Allen & Powell, the
company's attorneys in this city. was
seem by . Posr-lNrELLIeENcER reporter
last evening and he gave the story sub
stantially As reported above. He said that
there was no doubt Of Van Aliens guilt
and that the prosecution would be vigor-
ously pushed. Charles Watson. who Is
now resident manager OF the company,
was much elated over the capture.
Detective Wells will leave San Francisco
for Seattle next Sunday and will probably
arrive Tuesday night.