The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-30
BANCROFT
WAS SHORT.
Arrested in Boston For
Alleged Shortage.
HE IS 90 YEARS OF AGE.
Detectives Took Him From Steamer
Just Before Sailing.
HE IS 90 YEARS OF AGE.
A CALCUTTA, INDIA, MERCHANT.

Boston, Sept 30.-Just before the Ley
dock yesterday, Inspectors Houghton and
Burke ran up the gangway and brought
back distinguished. looking man. 90
years DID, vino was among the first-oabin
passengers. The man went back 10 the
dock with the Inspectors. Then he was
placed in hack and driven To Police
Headquarters, where the authorities
maintained most mysterious silence re-
garding the case.
A reporter learned that the man de-
tained was Mr.. Cornelius q. Bancroft GO
years old, commission merchant OF
Calcutta India. He was detained on
charge made by Lawyer Cunningham Tor
Samuel X. Bayley that Bancroft was
short $4,000 from the estate OF tho'iate
Dudley ii. Bayley, of which he was
trustee.
MIR. Bancroft was appointed Trustee OF
the estate in September, 1881 His trus-
teeship was TO run for 10 years, expiring
this month Soon after his appointment
Bancroft left Boston for Calcutta, where
no has since resided. lie returned To Bos-
ton recently. On Tuesday he filed his nc
counting of the estate, Of which he was
Irustee The estate was worth so, 600,
and in the list of EXPENDITURES and
profits it appeared that sl5 COO, which ao-
crued from the investment OF the go, 900
had been expended.
One item was q note of $4,000 in the
name of Cornelius &. Bancroft This
aroused the interest OF Mr.. Bayiey, and
IL was upon this item that Mr.. Bancroft's
arrest was sought yesterday just as he
was about TO sail away. There was no
time between the fling OF the account by
Bancroft and his sailing to get war
rant, consequently the arrest had TO be
made without one.
After his arrival at headquarters an Mt
| tempt was made To settle the case among
| the lawyers. Negotiations were in prog
ress for some time, daring which tho hack
| stood in front of headquarters. Ihen "a
| gentleman came out and told the hack
man to drive off. az there was nothing
| more for him. The officers then went to
court ami made application for "a war;
| rant on tho charge OF embezzling $1,000.
1t was granted by Judge Ely later in
the day. and Bancroft was booked and
| taKen to court. At the last moment an
| effort was made bv Mr.. Bancroft q
friends to settle the case. Judge Ely sent
| them 10 District Attorney Stevens, who
refused to interfere and Bancroft was ar
| raigntd.
| lie was represcned by Lawyer Frank
| Washburn. When the case was called MIR.
| Cunningham asked for a continuance
| and IL was agreed to let tie case go over
until Oct. L. Judge Elv held Bancroft in
| $40. 900 bail. Bono was Immediately gwen
! by Rev. Alexander :. Iwombly of New
| ton and Bancroft was released He went
| at once TO the office OF his cousel on Ash
burton Place.
When Journal reporter called there
| later Mr. Wasbburn thought IL best
! that MIR. Bancroft should say nothing for
| publication. He refused to say ANYTHING
| himself.
Mr. Bancrofts' friends are very much
| surprised over the affair. They say the
| case arises out of disputed probate
| account. which has been in process of ad-
| justment Ior long time, and MIR. Ban
croft was prepared To make good immedi-
| atoly any amount due as soon as deter
mined.
Bancroft was on his way back to CAL
| cutta, A number of friends were at the
dock to see him Oft when he was arrested.
Prior To 1887 Mr. Bancroft was the sem
ior uartner of Cornelius &. Bancroft &
90, of l3 Doano street A. Is. Cobb was
his partner In the directory of that
year Mr.. Bancr residence was given
as New York.
Samuel *. BayIey's name is not In this
years directory. In past years his place
OF business was 10 Mt Washington Ave
me. His residence is given at the Hotel
Oxford.