The herald., 1897-08-25
WAS A VERY BAD BIRD
ABUSED HIS CHANCE TO RE-
TRIEVE HIS REPUTATION
From San Diego to San Quentin and
Thence to Position of Trust
in Los Angeles

| Rhenodyne A. Bird until last Thurs
day secretary of the Briswalter Land
and Water company and private secre-
| tary to Griffith ]. Griffith. is in trouble.
| His connection with the company is at
an end, and he is keeping out Of the way
of his late employer, fearing, perhaps,
| a personal encounter. Not satisfied with
having been given an excellent chance to
redeem or re-establish good name after
former indiscretions, he has by his man
ner of living again disgraced himself and
brought shame upon an innocent wife
and three children.
| An expert accountant is now at work
on the books he so lately kept and has
found them to be in such muddled con-
dition that 1t has been impossible not
only to make them correctly balance,
| but to explain many entries.
| Bird came here nearly eight years
ago, and his previous address was San
Quentin. Through some friends he Sc
cured the position he recently lost, was
paid fair salary and was given every
opportunity to again make a man of
himself.
| Bird first came into public notice
about ten years ago in San Diego,
where, while filling the position of sec
retary of the Russ Mill and Lumber
company, he began taking a n active in
terest in politics. He was chosen secre-
tary of the San Diego Republican county
central committee and for time he was
one of the most popular men in that
county. He led a fast life and about
eight years ago his employers discovered
| that he was short in his accounts to the
amount of about $780, His arrest on a
| charge of embezzlement caused a SEN
sation and his friends did all they could
| for him. The case against him admitted
of no defense and he pleaded guilty and
was sentenced to one year in San Quen-
tin. He served but few days when his
friends secured pardon for him. He at
once returned to Los Angeles, and in a
short time Mr.. Griffith gave him the re-
sponsible position Of private secretary,
and also made him secretary Of the Land
and Water company. Mr.. Griffith was
soon afterward informed of the mans
record, but replied that he would give
him a chance. Bird again essayed to
enter politics and aspired to become a
ton of his San Diego experience caused
him to withdraw from that field. Grad
ually he resumed rapid life. His asso-
Citations with members Of the half world
became notorious; his thirst for wine was
appalling. Such life costs money, and
| how he maintained it on salary Of SIS
per month or whether he did or not, is
not known.
II found" said Mr.. Griffith yesterday,
| that Bird was going into excesses which
| his salary would not warrant had 1t been
several times what it was. I also found
that his associates were such as no man
who loved his wife would have. A man
who goes that gait Is not to be trusted,
and I sent him word not to come near
my office again. He had better not
come, either. have an expert at work
on his books, and they are in bad shape,
but whether there is a shortage or not
has not been determined
1t has been ascertained that Bird
| owes several good-sized bills, some of
which have been presented at Mr..
Griffith's office for payment. Among
these is one for wine at the Palace sa-
loon which requires three figures to ex-
press the amount. Another is for flow
ers, and still another Is one of $50 said
to be due a hackman. The presentation
of some such bills and, it is said, others
from the tenderloin district, are be-
lieved to be the cause of the investiga-
ton now in progress.
Bird was seen at midnight in a Main
street saloon quaffing beer, apparently
without any concern for the present or
future. He has denied to several friends
that he was dismissed from his position
which he maintains still to hold.