Evening journal., 1895-01-15
PRISON OR THE GRAVE.
Defaulter Abbott Of Nashua, N.
H., Chose the Latter.
KILLED HIMSELF TO AVOID ARREST

He HAD Robbed the Bank In wldon lie
was Cashier Of $50. 900 Confessed First
TO His Children WAS a pillar Of the
Church and Treasurer OF the City Funds |
DOVER, n H.. Jan l5.-lsaac T. Alb |
bott, the defaulting cashier Of the Dover
National bank. shot and killed himself IN
his home just before the arrival Of United
States Marshal Campbell, who had war
rant for his arrest. His brother heard the
shot and found him lying on tho floor,
with his face shattered and covered with
blood.
During the morning Abbott had con
fessed to reporter He said he might
have tided over the examination Of the
bank at this time and covered up his steal
ings for another year, but the amount Of
his embezzlemont was getting 80 largo
that discovery could Rot long he delayed
and he decided to face the music He
declared that he had arranged tho lock Of
the bank vault so that IL could not DO
opened until today He decided to cnll his
children to him and inform them Of his
disgrace before they could learn II from
the newspapers
II mado up my mind to let them know
what had happened, be said and then
decided whether ] should SO to the state
prison or the cemetery.
Abbott had been cashier Of the bank for
| so years and was one OF the most promi
nent residents OF the city and was also city
treasurer Examiner Dorr says the short.
age will amount to more than $50, 600.
The bank has suspended.
The Defaicatlon Discovered.
He declared that his accounts as city
treasurer and as treasurer Of the Five Cent
Savings bank were all right and had not
been tampered with.
Vague rumors Of shortage In Abbott $
accounts gained currency last Friday
when Bank Examiner Dorr came hero TO
examine the books of the bank. An in
yestination Of the cash account by the eS-
aminer and the directors on that day con
WINGED them that something was wrong.
| The examiner went to his homo In SOM
ersworth that night, and no action was
taken by the bank officials, pending a
further examination Of the books
When Mr.. Dorr returned on Saturday
morning the vault Of the bank, which has
a time lock- could not be opened. Thu
mechanism appeared 60 be out Of order
and all efforts to gain an entrance wer'
without result Mr. Abbott was at ono'
placed undor the surveillance Of the police
and he remained in his house all day Sat
urday and Sunday. Monday morning tn
[ vault was opened, and soon afterward tn
notice was posted that the Institution hnl
{ suspended. Bank Examiner Dorr immedl
/ ately telegraphed for United States maj
8 shal to come here and take Abbott In Gus
1 tody.
Was Prominent In Church.
Abbott was treasurer OF the city Of Dove
and also connected with the Dover fiy
! Cent Savings bank. which has offices
9 the same building with the National ban
on Central avenue, but it Is said That ne
ther the city nor the savings bank will su
fer by his defalcation.
Tho bank Is about 20 years old and
rated as one Of the soundest and most SUI
stantlal in the city. Its president IS =.
i Brewster. Abbott had been its cashier 4
about 20 years and was one Of the mo
X prominent residents Of the city. He h,
! been prominently identified with the q
J. fairs Of the Free Baptist church, Of whi'
q he was an active member and had he
"A numerous positions Of honor and trust
N the city. Three years ago he was elect'
/ city treasurer as Republican. He was ne
i. so Of ago and was a widower with daug
y ter and two sons who are now In schoc
He had handsome new house on Ar
. street. He was under leANy bonds.
4. Abbott had promised 60 give the direc
q ors Of the bank statement as TO Il
4 amount Of money he had taken and VIII
a. he had done with it as soon as possible.
n The statement Of the Dover Nation
bank for the year ending Dec. 81 last sho'
as ed surplus Of $50, 600. Its capital
n $780, O00
4 II IS said that Abbott speculated exte
y sively through Boston firms.