The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-04
WARDS BIG STEAL AT MEMPHIS
THE EMBEZZLER a REGULAR DIR.
JEKYL AND MIR. HYDE.

His DefaIcatfOn Believed to AEgre-
gate $3.50. OOO-The People of the
City EmbIttered Against Him by
His RemOrseIess Work in swim
ding WidOws-Every ShyIock in
the City Hit Hard-Ward's Wick
edness Masked by n SanctImOnI-
Gus Front.
New Orleans, Dec. 3.-The steamer City
Of Damas will arrive here tomorrow.
having on board Ward, the embezzler of
Memphis. He will be in the custody Of
Chief Of Police Alosley Of Memphis, who,
with Detective Fernand de Rance of this
city, went 10 Honduras for the defaulter,
for whom a large reward was offered.
1t will be remembered that Ward got
away from Memphis several weeks ago,
leaving defalcatiOn which was variously
estimated, but all accounts agreed was
a large sum. 1t turns out that Ward was
a regular DR.. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.
L. NJ Holmes, a representative of the
COmmercial-Appeal of Memphis. is here
for the purpose of meeting Ward and
accompanying him and the officers back
to the Bluff City tomorrow evening Mr.
Holmes says that no one has yet been
"a
has heeced the people of Memphis and
New York out OF. but enough is known to
say that his stealings will amount to
quarter of a million dollars or more. II
Ward had not been so remorseIess in his
swindling widows, the people of Memphis
would probably display some sympa-
thy for the man who so long enjoyed the
respect Of the community
Mr. Holmes insists that tbara fs a nor
tlcle OF cOnsola tiOn, at least TO be drawn
out of the Ward defalcation. He explains
9is + peculiar taiia statement by saying that
city Of Memphis, and some of them
caught it very hard
one of the Dead rabbits" (Shylocks)
was caught for a number of thousands.
Ward promised the shylock 30 per cent.
Tor MS Kindness. The money lender had
made such good fleece that he con-
cluded that he was able to tour a little
and so betook himself to the balmy
cIlmate OF California for the summer.
lie figured that the interest on his mag
innocent investment would more than pay
all his expenses. Ward concluded that
ne had better make a little change for
health's sake and calculated that the
would amicably subserve his miidest
wants, and so left on an extended tour
Tor Honduras. For this loss and others
or like nature 1t is said that the good
people OF Memphis are not extending
much sympathy.
MI Holmes SAID tnat the evening be-
fore the absconder left he went around
town on regular borrowing tour and
succeeding In landing a number of other
fish to the tune of about $4,000. A firm
whom he attempted to rob was singular
ly fortunate. Ward had called, as he
had on all the rest of his victims, and re-
quested a loan of $4,000. Knowing the
high standing of the company with which
Ward was connected there was no hest
fancy about the matter, but on the con-
trary their pleasure was expressed at
being able to accommodate him. Not
having the money just then convenient,
Ward was told to call later and the
would have the desired sum in readiness
Ward, for some reason or other, got
suspicious and took fright and failed to
go back to the business house for the
money, though it had been procured and
was held in waiting for him The mem
bers of the firm are still congratulating
themselves upon their good luck and feel
that they could invest in futures with
perfect safety.
Aside from Wards business life, Holmes
says there was scarcely a man in Mem
phis considered more devout in religious
work or more exemplary in his habits
until his defalcaton came to light. Since
that time, however, it has been found
out that Ward liked his drinks and was a
professional "back-door sneak" but so
far as gambling is concerned, they have
never been able to unearth an instance
wherein he INDUCED. All through the long
period during which Ward was engineer
ing his scheme of wholesale robbery, he
was a constant attendant at his church
and was highly regarded as a Sunday
school teacher in Memphis.