The herald., 1895-04-23
The Defaulting Ex-Tax Collector
Located in Denver
THE EXTRACTION PAPERS
The Necessary Documents Are Promptly
Forwarded From Sacramento
The Story Of the Defauiter's crime-Embezzled
Several Thousand DoIlars-Descrtion
OF His Family and Flight

II iChuo WIN ldu CuilOolby CiOuSh W DON
that he was going down the country
for a few days on little business. 1t
was learned yesterday that the sheriff a
few weeks ago learned definitely that Ell
Hammond. the defaultlng ox-county tax
collector is in Denver and that he de-
parted for that city to apprehend him
and bring him back. AS soon as the
sheriff received the news he procured the
warrant, which had been pigeon-holed
for years, and forwarded it to Sacramento
to the governor, who sent him the neces-
sary extradition papers. Sheriff Burr
then left tor Denver with the requisition
pa pers and Ell Hammond s picture in his
possession, and it is more than likely
that he has Hammond under arrest by
this time. Shortly after Hammond de-
parted in March, 1887, suit was COM
menced against his official bondsmen and
also against the gentlemen who were
upon his bail bond, and for eight years
these suits have been hanging in the
courts. His arrest will dispose OF the bail
bond suit, but the other actions will not,
of course, be affected by his capture.
The following story of his departure is
taken from the Herald of that time
When it became known that County
Tax Collector Ell Hamomnd had taken his
departure lOT SOInc uukllOWll pOTGlOi VI
the world. and had carried away with
him a large amount of money, there were
few who said, another good man gone
wrong" A careful search revealed the
presence of any number of men who said
that they were not surprised such thing
had happened, and it was. to say the
least, peculiar that there should have
been left in bank any money at all. There
were, as in all such cases. exagg Grated
stories floating about as to the amount
stolen from the county, some placing it
as high as $4,000. but when the books
had been overhauled by an expert the
figures of the shortage footed up to only
this sum was taken within q very short
time and aid not cover so long
period as was at first supposed. The
books must have been straight when he
took his position on January LIST,
1887. or else those who examined them
were lax in their duty. If any shortages
occur d prior to that time during his
former occupancy of the office, thsy were
not discovered. Therefore the fact stands
out boldly that within three months or
less he stole according to the experts
figures $l2. 466.14
While it was known that he was spend
ing money pretty freely, it was apparent
that he reserved considerable amount
for the purpose of future use in another
country. To have squandered $4,000 in
this city during so short period would
have caused an earlier investigation. and
this he could not have desired Although
lie was liberal buyer of jewelry and
other ornaments. he knew well that 1t
would not do to increase his purchases.
for by SO doing it would give rise to a
suspicion that all was not as it should
be. When he departed he was so careful
of exciting suspicion that he was able to
be absent from the city for over ten days
before it was thought that anything
strang was connected with his nonap-
pearance Some few days before he left
he told his various intimate friends that
he was heir to an estate and that the
matter was i'll the courts at San Fran
CISCO He would therefore have to go
there and testify in the case
Early in the morning, after it was
known that Hammond had left the SUI
pervisors met. with Mayor Workman and
some other of the bondsmen present and
it was determined to appoint an expert to
go over the accounts and determine eX
actly how great the shortage was. They
appointed James s. Mackenzie to that
position, and all day long he was busy
with the books and figures.
The safe was oDened in the early part
of the afternoon, but there remained one
drawer which could not be opened by
anyone there present. In this 1t was
hoped by Hammond's friends that there
might be considerable money. but these
hopes were dashed to the ground when,
at 80 o'clock the drawer was opened
and found to contain nothing of value.
The contents of the money drawer OF the
safe only amounted to $26. 40, and the pa
pers contained therein were not Of any
importance in this matter. 1t was also
hoped that Hammond might have depos-
tied in bank sufficient money to cover
the deficiency, but a close search fail ed to
reveal any, except in the Southern Cali
fornia National bank, where he had de-
posted $3.50. 40, and the Los Angeles Ma
tional bank, where there was $50. These
amounts. together with the cash found
in the safe. footed up to S3966.85.
Early in the day the auditor stated that
Hammond was charged with the delin-
quent taxes, amounting to $50 O02. 45.
The receipts of the treasurer amounted to
$40, 541.39, to which were added double
assessments amounting to $2472 65a total
of $13. 614.04, which, deducted from the
amount due, left S16 9ss.41. The expert
due the county as SIG, 1929. From this
must be deducted the amount in bank
and on hand. 1896. IS, leaving the defal-
cation $12, 466. IA. Whether Hammond
took this amount of money away with
him, is not known positively but as he
spent no larger amounts than usual just
before he left it is only reasonable to sup
a large portion OF it.
AS soon as it was positively known
that there was q deficiency, Auditor Mon
tano swore out a warrant charging Ham
mond with embezZlement, and Sheriff
Kays Immediately telegraphed 10 the
points where it was suspected Hammond
might have gone, giving the following
description:
"El Hammond. defaulting tax collector,
about AZ years old about 8 feet s inches
high, weight 1856 pounds, rather careless
in dress; American born; dark eyes, mar
row between the eyes; wears gold specta-
Giles when reading; mustache and hair
iron gray; when talking earnestly has a
slight stammer; complexion horid."
This description was telegraphed to
Chicago, to st. Louis, Salt Lake and San
Francisco, for which points rumor had it
he had gone. The fact that he had told
several people that he was going TO San
Francisco led to the general belief that it
was possible that was the point from
which he entirely disappeared from view.
The suspicion was mado stronger by the
story told by gay young girl who was
treated very handsomely by Hammond.
In regard to Hammond's habits, it is
known beyond doubt that he lived be-
yond his means, unless he had some her
income than that derived from his office.
His salary was but about $500 year.
and out of it he had to pay household ex--
pelses for the support of his wife and
aged mother. 1t was outside OF his fam
lily, however, that he spent the most OF his