Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-29
DAN WILLIAMS FALL
There is No Chance to Save Him
From the Law.
HIS BOOKS ARE IN BAD SHAPE
The Pool Rooms Got Much of His
Money.
NJ L ST STAND T r I A L

MU ST STAND RIAL
Dan Williams. "Old Comrade," as the
alleged defaulting policeman was known, is
no longer a fugitive from justice. for he
was arrested late yesterday afternoon in
St Louis. Friends had said yesterday
that the alleged embezzler would return
of his own accord and stand trial. but such
proved not to be the case, for his arrest
was the result of his effort to have his
family send money, so that he could go
farther west. His wife, who has acted
so honorably in the matter. did the de-
tective work which resulted in her hus-
bald's arrest, and to her belongs the credit
of his apprehension.
During the early. hours of yesterday
| morning telegram from the fugitive
| reached his wife. To the woman who
had been his faithful wife for more than
twenty years he impaired the Information
of his hiding place. He was in ST. Louis.
and was stranded. From her he wanted
financial aid but she concluded that she
would not shield him if he had done wrong
and so she sent the telegram to Inspector
J Hollinberger. The inspector was not in
his office at the time. and SO the messcn
ger handed over the telegram to Chief
Clerk Sylvester
Quick Work.
No time was lost in sending to Chief Har-
rigan of the ST. Louis force request for
the arrest of the stranded fugitive, and at
o'clock news was received from the St.
Louis chief that he had Williams in GUS
tody. He was found in a small hotel on
Pine street. and. far as the local officers
know, he submitted quietly to arrest and
ex Nessed A willingness to return with the
officers without the Formally of a requisi-
ton.
Last night Detective Boyd left for St.
Louis to return with the prisoner. with
whom he had done duty, and whom he had
known for many years.
The work of Strengthening out the records
for the period of nearly four months is
about completed. and it is thought when
the balances are made deficit of more
than $1,000 will be shown. Now that the
amount has been found SO high. it will be
utterly impossible for his wife to make a
settlement of his account. She has the
Capitol Hill house in her name, but if sold
II would not bring the amount of the hus-
bands shortage, and would render her
homeless. The house is paid for, and was
Eut in Mrs. Williams name only short
time ago.
Must Stand Trial.
1t is now apparent that Williams friends
will not be able to reimburse the District
in an effort to prevent a prosecution. ard
some OF lis relatives, it IS said, now favor
allowing the law to take its course.
Now that 1t is known that the eX-collec-
ter OF Police Court fines is an alleged de-
faulter, his friends are able to account for
some of his queer doings, which they HAD
attributed to the mans naturally nervous
disposition. During the past few months
he has snubbed some of his best friends
and always seemed worried about some
Il
cial dealings. and in every case he paid all
borrowed money in full In one case the
amount involved was nearly 500. Will
, ,ia borrowed the money, and at that
wanted money they could get it from him
but he could not borrow any himself He
PAID the money few days later. and in
light of recent develCpman,s il is WOW
thousht that this deal was made for the
purpose OF warding off suspicion.
Condition of the Books.
Williams books are in frightful cond-
ton and it is thought certain that th.v
VIII show wrongdoing even before the LIST
Of May the time he made bis last settle
ment with the collector of taxes The in
vestigation thus far however has been
&C MINED to the period mentioned although
1t is likely that the officers accounts for
the entire time he has held the position
will be subjected to an expert for inves;i-
CATION.
People who knew Williams say that he
has been leading fast life for a year or
more and are certain that further short
age will be shown, because he was spend
ing more money than his salary justified
long before the 1st of May
Now that the officer is in custody he will
have to undergo the terrible ordeal of re-
turning and facing his former associates
and benefactors. There is only a Police
Court warrant out for him, and as he can
not be indicted before the fall meeting of
the grand jury he will be compelled to go
!nto the court where ne has been detailed
and done duty for more than five years.
The question of bond has already been dis
cussed, and the officials think the courts
will require at least $l0,UD0 security which
ne may find hard to give. In this event ne
will have to go to Jail. and there remain
until his case is tried. During all these
legal battles the defendant will have to
face his former friends, and be in their
bands.
Pool Rooms Did 1t.
1t is thought that the race horse pool
rooms got most of his money, while he
spent considerable in other ways. He Ger
tainly did not exhibit any of his funds
about home. nor was there anything in his
conduct there to indicate that he was han
ding more than his months salary At
the pool rooms. 1t is said, he was known
as a plunger. and had lost 1t is said. as
much Us $50 on a single race. He had
been warred that the races would get him
in trouble. but judging from recent devel-
opmentS, 1t is evident that he did not heed
the warning.
Detective Boyd will reach ST. Louis to-
morrow morning, and should the prisoner
conclude to return without the formaIity
of requsition. it is thought he will reach
here about Wednesday Thursday of
next week.
EXCURSIONS.