Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-27
Dan Williams Formally Charged
With Embezzlement.
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS NAMED
This Sum is Likely to Be Far Ex-
ceeded, However.
EXAMINING THE BOOKS

the dead, there Is now sworn charge OF
embezzlement against missing Policeman
Dan Williams Inspector Hollinberger
sw ore out the warrant today, the amount
mentioned in the legal document being vow.
This warrant was turned over to the IN
spector by Warrant Clerk Washburn, and
upon this charge the fugitive Is now being
pursued.
While the amount named in the warrant
Is only $500, the officials feel certain that
the amount of the alleged defalcation will
far exceed this, and may run as high, If
not higher, than 5000. With only a par
tial examination yesterday, it is alleged.
more than the amount named in the war
rant was shown as not having been ac-
counted for, but the exact sum will not be
known until the examination has been
completed.
Because of the fact that there are only
two clerks on duty in the Police Court now,
more than half the force being away on
leave the work of entering upon the docket
all the District court business has been de-
layed. Last night Deputies N. c. Harper
and George NJ. Washburn started in on the
work. These clerks have had SO much
court business to attend to during the ah-
sence Of Clerk Potts and two other assist
ants that they could not possibly get the
work up to date, but last night they were
able to get the work done far enough to
books today.
Major Moore today detailed officer Mat
tingly, who worked with Deputy Clerk
Washburn in overlooking the records. and
when this work Is finished the officials will
have some idea of the amount of shortage.
After this is done the books will be turned
over to expert accountants for cxamina-
ton.
Tidings of Williams.
1t was said at police headquarters today
whereabouts had been received, although
there was a street rumor to the effect
that the police had located him, and would
send officer to arrest him. There was
another rumor afioat that the officer had
been seen in Alexandria Tuesday afternoon
after the jewelry dealer had seen him
going north on 9Th street, but this. too.
proved 10 be only rumor, for no one
could be found who knew him, and had
seen him in the ancient city across The
river
OF course. it is not known what has be-
come Of him, and the police officials Go
not agree as to what has probably hap
pened to him.
Did Not Take His Pistol.
1t transpires that the missing man did
not take his revolver with him. SO that II
he has shot himself he must have obtained
a pistol from some other source. There
Is way of ascertaining whether or not
he had much money with him when he
left, unless the investigation develops that
large amount was taken on the eve Of his
departure.
Friends of Williams this afternoon say
that the finding Of his pistol and other
equipments in his desk coavinces them
that he did not intend suicide. He knew
that the taking away of these equipments
would have rendered him liable to charge
of robbing the government, but, then. the
taking of the money. as charged, had al
DIV I'm To- Pfyf fhnr Is
another side of the case. 1t is argued by
some. and generally conceded that the Off
Ger was not naturally dishonest, and that
if he got far behind in his accounts in an
effort to increase the money intruSted to
him he had honor enough left not to take
all in sight.
A General Warming.
All members Of the detective corps have
been notified to look out for him. as have
the officers in the precinct, and dispatch
was sent from headquarters this afternoon
to the authorities in other cities asking
their assistance in the case.
So far as could be ascertained, no reward
has yet been offered for the fugitives ar
rest. Friends of the missing man consider
1t remarkable that his accounts should
have been left in such condition for so long
time as to render possible the taking of
so large an amount Of money. His returns
were made to the collector, and his ac-
counts passed upon by the auditor, and
had it not been that Chief Clerk Sylvester
of the police department called upon the
officer for $1,000 for the police pension fund
the present condition of affairs would not
now be known.
Every effort is being made to apprehend
the fugitive. and. If nothing is heard from
him soon, a search of the woods for his
dead body will be instituted.
Various Theories.
Some of the officers are of the opinion
that Williams has ended his life, while 9TH
ers think he has gone away to remain I'M
til he is apprehended and brought back
for trial. From his actions Tuesday morn
ing his friends think he certainly went
away with the intention of committing
suicide, for had he intended becoming q
fugitive from justice he would have taken
with him all the money he had in his
possession. and would not have turned over
the morning s receipts, to Officer Elliott.
whom he left In charge. Then. too. he
would not have given up the watch, but
wotIit have taken IT with him to have
helped him on the road.
While they feel certain that such was
his intention, some of them believe that
when he got away, probably out in the
county, he changed his mind and decided to
leave for parts unknown. In event of this
being the case the officers are making an
effort to locate him.
SO far as can be ascertained, no one has
seen him since he turned over the watch
TO the Jewelry man, and he was then going
north, although he had previously told a
friend that he was going down the river.
He came from Philadelphia originally. and
It may be that he has returned there. hop
ing some of his friends of former years
will protect and possibly assist him. Then.
too. he owned some property at Harper's
Ferry, and 1t may be that he has sought
d place OF hiding in the mountains near
there. This, however. is not thought prob
able. for he is too well known there and
would probably be Appreciated before he
had been there many hours.
The belief that his body will be found
somewhere in the woods is shared by many
Should such prove to be the case, how
ever. it is thought that he will be found on
some battle ground well-known historic
place because of his G. A. r. notions. 1t
may be that he boarded an electric car and
went out in the county or that he made his
way to the steam railroad and boarded a
train either east or west.
OHIO POPULISTS.
Nominations Made by the Springfield
Convention.