The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-03-12
a DEFAuLr,NG sEoREpARY.
Systematic Robbery of Mission
Society-The Money Was Spent on
His Family.

NEW York, March Tho allc.e,
deficiencies in the accounts of til,
American Church Missionary Society
and which have resulted so far in tn,
secretary OF the body, Rev. w. A
| Newbold, severing his connection with
1t, promise to be brimfull of scandal
The deficit amounts to some $4,000
and the chairman of tho finance com
mittee, George c. White, made q
statement this afternoon in the nut
ter. when he concluded it he do
clined ID say whether or not proceed
ings would be instituted against the
alleged Offenders. Mr.. White said
"l'm comparatively new member
| OF the executive board and in january
last, at the meeting of the board,
was put in rs chairman OF the board
Upon looking iuto the duties OF the
olnce found that the books called for
the cash balauco in the hands of a
trust company. | was informed by the
treasurer OF the company, H. S.
Oakley, that there was an error in the
accounts, as he had no such money in
hand. was aftcrward informed that
The general secretary knew that there
was discrepancy in the accounts
some months prior but did not inform
the board ut tho January meeting.
The treasurer was at once called on
by me to produce his books of accounts
and his own, and TO show where the
difference existed. Also, in looking
over The books, | discovered some mat
tcrs That seemed 70 be irregular and
| immediately put an expert on the
books. brought him 10 the office
and introduced him to Mr. w. A..
Ncwboid, who was tho general secre-
tary, and directed him TO produce all
BOOKS, vouchers anu papers he might
ask for. There appeared to be SOW
crai stems in regard to Mr.. Newbold's
accounts that required inspection.
Sc At the end OF IL few days, Mr.. Now
bold finding the temperature OF the
keys To the iiuance committee and an
nounced that be had severed his con
ncctlon with tho society. Tho result
ol Tia experts Investigation showed
THAI Mr. Newbold had overdrawn from
the society tho sum Of about $4,000,
over ana above the amount due him
for salary, ana, furthermore, that
moneys received from interests and
other sources TO the amount of about
$1,000 he had failed to credit ON the
books. and the checks for the same
were not deposited in the socicty's
bank accrnnt.
- Mr.. NcwbOid has confessed to four
different mcmbcrs Of the society these
dcfai""Ji0ns and we also have Is lcttcr
written by him confessing his crime
and pleading, on the score OF past
service, for icniency, and claiming
tha. he was Obliged 10 take this money
30 support large and expensive
family. Mr.. Ncwbrid lived in fine
place ut Montciair, N j., which no
states TO the press nc estimates to be
worth SO ,0OO, and also keeps horses,
COW and carriages. Mr.. Ncwbold's
statement that he was allowed $1,000
for travelling expenses is Incorrect, as
ali his travelling expenses we're u
proper charge against tho expense ac-
count.
"rhc house is mortgaged for about
81 900 and be has expressed his
Willingness to deed whatever equity
is ia it to the society. He has bocn
secretary for twenty six years and has
always been most implicitly trusted
by 'hc officers and members OF the
board. The eXpe.t t accountant has as
ccrtaincd that for certainly the past
ten Years, and how much longer VIC
don't know, he has been Systematically
robDing the sacred treasury Of the
SppirtV' y