The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-04
TELLER BOGGs' DEFAULTS.
He Had Been Connected With the First
National Bank Over IS Years. a,

DOVER, Del, June 3.-Wm. n. Boggs
paying teller of the First National Bank
of this towu, is "a defaulter in the sum Of
S3S, 900 The peculations ihave extended
over ten years but the shortage lhas been
covered up by false entries that escaped
the eyes of the bank examiner.
Mr.. Boggs had been employed in the
bank for over fifteen years and had been
regarded as honest in all his dealings He
was not known to have any bad habits
and seemed devoted to his family.
The bank directors met this afternoon
and while trying to learn the amount Of
the shortage received letter from Mr..
Boggs, dated yesterday, in which he &C.
knowledged the defalcation, stated how
long it had been in progress, and gave
other information that will aid the Off
cials in their efforts TO unravel the tangle;I
Harry A. Richardson, president of the
bank, said that the amount of the short
age would reach about S3S,0O0, but that
the credit and standing of the bank,
which is known to be OF the very best, |
would not be affected. mo depositor ,
need be alarmed, he said, "as the bank
is perfectly solvent and able to meet any
demand that may be made upon it.
| As soon as the defalcation became known
Mr.. Richardson telegraphed the govern |
ment authorities and notified the Ameri-
can Surety Company of New York, which
Institution furnished Mr.. Boggs' bond. ,
Tho agent Of the latter company arrived
OH an afternoon train and proceeded to the
bank, where he was closeted with the
directors.
Mr.. Boggs left town on the north bound
train at 5.l3 p. m. Saturday. He has o
wife and four children living here Mrs.
Boggs is prostrated at the news and is
under the care of physicians.
Two letters which have been received
from Mr.. Boggs were mailed In New
York and both were written upon letter
heads of the St. Cloud Hotel Broadway
and Forty second street One of the let
ters gave information as how the bank
directors should proceed to discover the
amount of the shortage and the other,
sent to Mrs. Boggs, acknowledged his
guilt and stated that he saw no other re.
course than to end his remorse by death.
The bank officials believe Mr.. Boggs is on
his way to South America, as he was
known to have at least 81 600 in gold on
his person at the time of his departure.
Mr.. Boggs is one Of the best known men
in Delaware. Six years ago he was made
teller, and the directors Of the bank took
considerable interest In him on account
of his shrewdness and ability, For his
age he was counted one of the best inform
ed bankers in the state. He is but 3S years
of age, and has been married for some
time.
The first that the wife knew Of her hus-
bands disgrace was when she received tho
letter to-day. Though he had been tak-
ing the money Of the bank for so long
Boggs had saved none of it. He received
salary of $1,000 year as teller, but 1T Is
said that he always lived beyond his means
He has none of the money which he took,
but it is said lost IL in stock speoulations
and gambling.
He had been speculating and gambling
for number Of years, but did 1t quietly
and all of his friends considered him
model young man.
A few years ago Mr.. Boggs entered poll
tics in Dover and exhibited the same
as politician as he did as
bank officer, and by many people was
counted one of the cleverest politicians in
the state. He had not been taking much
interest in politics for some time.