The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-11

william W Rickard treasurer OF the
William W. Rlckard Company, and, until
recently, treasurer OF the II. Ludwig
Company senior partner Of the firm Of
William W. Rickard 81 CO.. executor OF
wills, trustee Of estates multitudinous
handler Of money. under various titles
and authorities, has disappeared from
the ken Of an amazing number OF per
sons TO whom he was responsible and
from whom he has long enjoyed the fullest
confidence.
II anybody knows whore he Is the infor-
nation is not readily forthcoming. A
rumor on the street today was to the effect
that Mr.. Rickarl was in the Butler Hos
pitaI. Ii is stated on authority, however,
that he has retired to his farm In Massa-
ohusetts. though Just where the farm is
located the authority neglects 10 state.
One anxious creditor told News repre-
sentative this morning that ma ielt IN
clinvd TO fear that Mr. Rickari was where
nobody could easily lay hands on him,
but where that was ho didn't venture to
suggest
IL was about the middle Of November
when Rickard, suffering under the an
noyance OF sundry attachments placed OH
his property by creditors whose patience
had been exhausted, took to his bed. In
oniries at the house disclosed that he was
suffering from malaria aggravated hy
business worry apd that while he would
pull around all right and settle his bills,
his physician advised few weeks re-
-tirel.4ent- from the city and his business
cares Further than that No AMORTIZATION
was forthcoming.
Ine III. Luuwig co., jewelers., however,
cleaned q little more OF interest than
that. Rickard was treasurer OF this cor
poration and inquiry developed tnat ho
had transferred all but one share - his
stock TO his wife prior TO his departure
TO parts unknown, or at least untold IL
appears that the Ludwig corporation had
a note coming due at bank Tor Sl4. 600
and IL had been laying aside from time 10
time fur ds 10 meet this obligation When
these funds were looked iof, however,
fnay were found 10 have disappeared.
The treasurer and the treasury had gone
away fogether. 80 the Ludwig company
called n meeiiug, dcposed Treasurer Rick
ard, scraped the cash box Tor what l1ttel
they could find and began 90 figure out
whether they would go under entirely or
try to pay somsthing on the dollar ana
keen along IL Is said that the creditors
are considering proposition Of so cents
on the dollar, but the Ludwig corporation
must ptc ,ssarily make n good part OF
this In promises to pay as the reserve in
the treasury Is entirely wiped out.
All sorts of stories are afloat Anxious
claimants have crowded the office OF the
absent Riaggrd in a vain search for any
thing tn III throw light on his and
their affairs There IL more than one
COMPLAINT of trust interest collected and
reyer paid 60 the beneficiaries under Mr..
X ckard's trusteeship.
scording co the summary OF the vari-
Gus tales Alr sRickard has been mighty
flos with the use OF other peoples money,
and he was also D beral In mis- endorse
rent of notes both personally and in the
ranle of the various companies which ne
represented fin one capacity or another,
some OF these concerns simply being fanci-
ful corporate titles for himself, he being
the chief stockholder and handling the
affairs iccor ling 10 his disposition,
which seens 10 have been particularly
lively and Irresponsible. One man tells OF
mortgage given 10 RicKard on his
house. Tho owner OF the house paid his
interest and had no desire TO take up the
mortgage The other day he was amazed
20 lind his hossa advertised for fore
closure sale. and inquiry developed the
fact accoriieng to the party's statement,
that kiokard bad transferred tho mort
gage. though he never paid over the i'm
terest which the moTtgagor, ignorant OF