The San Francisco call., 1897-11-06
FLED FROM FRESNO
THIRTY YEARS AGO
EX-TreaSurer Stephen Caster
Now Resident of
Nicaragua.
Disappeared in the SixIes With
Pubic Funds Entrusted to
His Care.
speeiaI DIgpatch % ZEE cA11.


FRESNO, Nov. Sin 1866 Stephen
Caster who was then Treasurer of Fresno
County, disappeared. Investigation of
his books showed he was a defaulter in
the sum OF $500 When last seen he was
on the stage for Stockton in company
with c. 2. Converse, who had been asso-
c!ated with him in business quite extern
sively. 1t was before the advent of the
railroad, and the trip TO San Francisco in
those days was made by stage to Stock
ton and thence by boat. Converse re
turned in a few days, but Caster never
put in an appearance. His disappear
ance was shrouded in the greatest mys.
terry and suspicion rested on Converse,
although there were very fimsy grounds
for it.
The theory was finally accepted that
the Treasurer had been murdered for the
money that he had intended 10 escape
with. His wife also accepted the murd er
theory. A few years later she married
Converse, who was still susp spected by the
public, but whom she believed to be inno-
cent.
After a few years interest IN the ex-
! Treasurer's disappearance died out, and
~
comes reliable information from Central
America that Caster is not dead, and tha;
he is living there, healthy and vigorous
old man. a well-known citizen of this
county has received a letter from John
Thomas. at Leon, Nicaragua to the effect
that Caster is living at that place.
Thomas is an insurance agent at Leon.
He states in his letter that Caster is run
ming sawmill, and, though 20 years OF
age, is as energetic as most men are at 45.
The old man is leading very labor Gus
life, as he has always done since he went
there from California thirty years ago
He is generally esteemed, says Thomas,
fer his honesty, industry and other good
qualities, and though he has not bee
very successful in his business pursuits he
has a few thousand dollars out al interest.
Caster was born at Baton Rogue, La,
and came to California in 1856 He 8 of a
respectable Creole family. He lived in
California until 1866, when ne went to
Leon.
Il had often advised him." continued
Thomas, ito go back TO California and
end his lie with his children"
According TO the description the Leon in
suranoe agent gives there can be no ques-
tion but that the Stephen Caster who is
there is the man who absconued from
Fresno County in 1866.
After Converse married Mrs. Caster he
settIed the amount OF the Qefalcation.
Later Mr.. and Mrs. Converse separated.
Converse figured prominently in the
early history of Fresno County. He built
the first courthouse when the county Sc al
was situated at MlIlerton, in the foothills,
about twenty-five miles northeast of this
city. He mad just finished his contract
when Caster disappeared. A few months
before that Converse shot and killed Jim
/ Crow at Millerton, and was the first man
| to be locked up IN the Jail that he had
| constructed in the basement of the court
house. The walls of the prison were con
| structed of big blocks of granite, and Con-
| verse had always been prouu OF the
! strength of the structure he had made.
! He was afterward tried and acquitted
/ of the murder charge preferred for the
! killing OF Crow.