The San Francisco call., 1896-05-02
ForeSters of America Losers to
the Tune of Five Hundred
Dollars.
ACME COURT FULLY PROTECTED
The Defalcation Is a Genuine Surprise
to His Many Friends-Wine
and Women.

Henry Ryan, solicitor for Brown, Craig
& Co., general fire insurance agents, has
disappeared leaving behind him a short
age OF from $3.50 to $1,000.
In addition to this Ryan is also behind
in his accounts with Acme Court, For
esters of America, of which order he is
treasurer. The amount of the defalcation
so far discovered is $500, but there is q
general belief that the total will run much
higher before the investigation is con-
cluded. Acme Court, however, is safe
from financial loss, because of an,ample
bond furnished by the Pacific Surety Com
pany.
1t is the old story of wine and women
with the cards left out. To the general
public he was modest, unassuming iel-
low with all the virtues and none of the
vices. In addition TO these outward
traits of character the abscondIng treasurer
and solicitor is half dead with consump-
tion. Ryan is married man with two
children. Less than year ago the couple
separated, the wife going to her mother s,
the husband taking up his abode at 537
Minna street. It is then that he is sup
posed to have commenced the double life
: which ended in dual defalcation and a
hasty departure for parts at present un-
KIN own.
Ryan has been in the employ of Bro wn,
Craig & Co. for three years, ana up to a
few months ago was prompt in his returns.
AT that time he began to fall behind in
his collections, reporting to the Office that
the parties insured pleaded hard times
and wanted an extension ranging from
thirty TO ninety DAYS.
As he had been connected with the firm
in the capacity of solicitor for more than
=: two years, and had been previously
prompt in his settlements, Brown, Craig
d Co. thought nothing strange of the re-
quest. From that time until two weeks
= ago he placed to his credit various small
sums OF money, accompanying each pay
m ent with the statement that "so-and-so"
desired an extension of time.
In this way the account ran up into the
thousands, and last week RYAN was asked
to make full settlement. There was not
the remotest suspicion at the time that
the collector was short in his accounts
but as the amount was large the insurance
people concluded that they must either
have their premiums or the policies.
Ryan was accordingly notified that he
must either cancel the insurance or settle
up. He promised to DO the latter.
Last Saturday the solicitor failed to
show up, and the same thing occurred on
Monday. Then his employers began to
feel tr1fe uneasy. The books were care
fully gone over and q list made of every
outstanding policy on which the premium
had not been paid. To one of the special
men in the Office was intrusted the duty
of finding out Just how Ryan stood with
the insured and the firm in the matter of
premiums not accounted for.
The. investigations up to yesterday
showed that Brown, Craig 81 Co. were out
of pocket at least $3.50, and the end is not
.. yet, for scores of people who have insured
with the consumptive solicitor remain to
be seen The total shortage may run to
$2000-possibly more. 1t was found that
Ryan had collected .the.premiums, giving
the regular receipt for the same.
I'VE cannot tell as yet the exact amount
of the defalcation," said Mr.. Craig yester-
day. ''The amount so far discovered
reaches exactly $3.50, but not nearly all the
people insured by him have been seen.
Ryan came to US two years ago well recon-
mended. He furnished personal bond at
the time. Up to few months ago he set
tied regularly, and then he began to plead
hard times. His past record was good
and consequently we felt no hesitancy in
giving him all the latitude desired. How
he has abused this trust has already been
= told. OF course l am urprised-immeas-
'urably SO. don't think, however, that
we could be imposed on again."
Henry Ryan was past high chief of the
Foresters of America. Eighteen months
aEO AAC Nao CACNJcO lIcdcuItE OI ACne
Court which Office he filled to the salts
faction of his associates. When at the be-
ginning of the present year Henry Dona-
. hue was elected chief rangersof Acms
Court he insisted that all officers file a
sbond with some surety company. Ryan
with the others was accordingly bonded
by the Pacific, Surety Company, and now
that institution will be called upon TO
make good whatever loss Acme Court has
sustained.
II am sorry this matter got out" said
Henry Donahue, chief ranger of Acme
Court, last night, "but in view of the fact
that'it is public property there is no reason
why l should not tell what l know. Last
week discovered that certain bills which
should have been paid by Ryan were still
standing against the court. At the regu.
lar meeting on Friday night 1 called
Ryan1s attention to this, and be promise d
to attend to it in day or two.
THE surety. company was notified of
Ryan'si shortage, and the next DAY they
asked him 10 call.In reply to this request
the now absent treasurer sent letter saw
ing that while it was true the bills had moi
been paid everything would be all right in