The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-16

And With the Breaking of the Plaster
Casts Was Exploded PitifuI Story of
an Accident which Might Result in the
Amputation of Both Legs-Hobbs Has
Been Receiver of the Stockbridge
(Mass.) Savings Bank and Is An Object
of Suspicion.
Pittstield, Mass, January 15.-Dr. f.
X. Paddock's examination of ex-Receiv-
er F. A. Hobbs of the Stockbridg Saw
ings Bank, proves that suspicious voiced
in New England Associated Press dis
patch Saturday that Hobbs was not as
sick as he seemed, were well grounded.
DR.. Paddock, with Deputy Sheriff Wood,
arrived with Judge Knowlton's capias
and went to Hobbs's home this morning.
accompanied by VIM. c. Spaulding,
Hobb's successor as receiver, and one of
the savings bank commissioners. Hobbs
was found in bed with his Temperature
and pulse normal. On his left leg was
plaster cast from the ankle to the knee,
and on the right leg another from the
knee to the thigh. These were removed
and the left leg found free of even a
bruise or a scratch. The right ankle
was discolored and swollen some, indi-
eating sprain, but no bones were brok-
en-, and no injuries of any kind were
found above the ankle. 1t was reported
last week that both legs were SO badly
crushed that amputation would be nee
essary. Hobbs, who pretended to be
very ill, said the casts were put ON by
DR.. Crandall of Stockbridge and DR..
Stockwell of Lenox. He said they told
him his legs were badly broken. AS
soon as the examination was concluded,
Mr.. Spaulding, who has been trying to
see Hobbs for week, made a demand
on him for all the banks books and pa
pers, backing up the demand with the
order of court. Under Hobbs's direc-
tion the books and papers were gathered
together and turned over to Mr.. Spauld-
ing. Then Deputy Wood told Hobbs he
must accompany him to Boston. DIR.
Paddock decided that he could be moved
without risk. He became indignant,
swore roundly and finally said if he went
they would have to take him. The offic-
ers dressed him, bundled him up and
carried him to the depot on stretcher.
He was brought to this city on the PIP
CldlH duu 1LdhSu W LILO DuIUduk I1OuSG.
He was taken to Boston tonight on
Knowlton tomorrow morning.
There is a suspicion that all is not
right with Hobbs's books. When
Treasurer Willis, of the Stockbridge
Savings Bank, was found to be de-
faulter in 1892 and sent to prison for sew
en- years. Hobbs was appointed receiver
and began the task of Strengthening out
the bank muddied affairs. After some
months, calls began to be made for
dividend, but Hobbs ignored them until
the court compelled him to declare it.
He showed his peculiar methods in
handling the banks affairs, and finally
appropriated $4,000, alleging it was for
salaries. Hobbs was ordered to make
restitution of the amount named, and
things finally reached such pass that
the courts deposed Hobbs and appointed
William G. Spaulding of West Stock
bridge in his place. Since that time Mr.
Spaulding has endeayored to secure pos
session of the book, papers, cash. ETC.,
held by Hobbs, but in vain; and finally
an appeal was again made to the courts
and Hobbs was ordered to appear before
Judge Knowlton at Boston last Monday,
to answer to the charge of contempt
On wednesday preceding tnat Gay, re-
port was given out that Hobbs had been
run over by loaded coal wagon at his
home in South Lee, and his legs so bad
ly crushed as to necessitate amputation.
Mr.. Spaulding tried to see Hobbs, but in
vain, he and other visitors being in
formed that Hobbs injuries were too
severe to allow him to be SEEN DR..
Crandall of Stockbridge, who, Hobbs
says, put the casts on his legs, is now un-
der Indictment for conspiracy against
DR.. Miller of the same town. He at first
reported the story of Hobbs's injury,
but later denied all knowledge of it and
says Hobbs was attended by doctor
from New Lebanon.