The herald., 1897-06-19
Embezzles a Large Sum
From Employers
ENJOYED THEIR CONFIDENCE
AND USED HIS POSITION TO DE-
FRAUD THEM
James G. Hawkins Leaves Shortage
of Several Hundred Dollars With
the 2. L. Parmelee Co.

James G. Hawkins, for the past TWO
wears the manager of the gas lifting oe-
partment in u. l.. Parmelee's wnolesals
and retail crockery establishment at 25z
South Spriug street is in jail awaiting
sentence on a petty larceny charge pre-
ferred against him by the members OF
the firm. An additional charge or en-
bezzlement will be placed against MIN,
as his offenses are of serious nature
His brother, Will Hawkins, is also held
as witness. An investigation OF thelr
accounts, which was recently mace ps
the firm. shows that Hawkins has neeh
responsible for a shortage of somewhere
between $500 and $4,000 since his connec-
ton with them as manager.
About two years ago Hawkins came
here from New York, and was taken
into the employ Of the firm. He under
stood tiio gas fixture business thorough
ly. and was a man of pleasant manners
and good address. A manager was need
ed for this department, and ne was
given the place at salary of 500 per
month. To all appearances HAWKINS
proved Just the man for the place, ana
soon had worked up good trade. he
reported numerous sales at adVanta-
geous figures, and as the members OF
the firm had every confidence in the man,
they took his word for everything, ana
were not particular to investigate his
accounts
n balancing up the books on the 1st
of March large shortage was discov-
cred. This seemed strange, as business
had been good, and an investigation was
at once started to see from what 1t had
resulted. The shortage was traced TO
the gas fixture department. Hawkins
was called to account but told plaus-
ible story. He said that he had not
been very careful in his accounts, and
that rather than miss sale he had dis
posed of some goods below cost. After
this explanation the matter was dropped
for the time being.
A few days later it was learned by
one of the members Of the firm that Ger
tain gas fixtures had been placed in
both the Los Angeles and Orpheum the
aters without the knowledge of the firm.
The managers of the theaters were seen
and stated that their contracts had been
@-N~N
agreed that the fixtures were to be paid
for in theater tickets. AT the Los An
geles theater something over $40 had
already been paid in this way.
This time the matter was placed in
the hands of Detective Hawley, ana
Hawkins was again brought up and
asked for an explanation. He admitted
that he had made the contracts, and
otac
frankness.
II know that it was not right and 1
am very sorry for it," he said. He
pleaded very earnestly with his employ
ers and promised to live straight in the
future if they would not prosecute the
case against him. They pitied the man
and finally decided to let the matter
drop, as far as a criminal prosecution
was concerned, but discharged both
James Hawkins and his brother Will,
who was also employed at the time. 1t
may be remarked in passing that afte:'
Hawkins had been in the employ of the
company few months he came to Mr..
Parmelee and stated that he had bro
ther in New York who was also acquaint-
ed with the crockery business, and he
was very anxious to get him position
here, so that the two could be together.
Mr. Parnelee had been impressed with
Hawkins apparent honesty and offered
to give his brother a place if he should
come out here. In response to an ear
nest request, he even forwarded the
money for the brother Wills expenses
from New York to this city. On arriv
ing here he was given a position in the
company's factory.
After the discharge of the two men
nothing further would probably have
been done had not Detective Hawley
discovered some silverware in a Main
street pawnshop a few days ago which
he recognized as belonging to Parmelee
He examined it, and found VIII Haw
kins' name on the tag which was at
tached to the articles.
He reported the matter and secured
a search warrant to go through the
room occupied by the Hawkins brothers,
at 227 East Seventh street. The search
revealed numerous articles hidden in
closet. There were half dozen solid
silver forks, as many each Of teaspoons
tablespoons and knives, three Malacca
plate teaspoons, several dozens of fine
cut glasses, ard numerous other ar
ticles.
James Hawkins was not present, but
his brother viii was taken into custody
He denied all knowledge of the theft of
the articles, and said that they belonged
to his brother who had directed him to
dispose of them. He was taken to the
police station and locked up.
Thursday James was found and placed
under arrest. He admitted his guilt. bu,
denied that his brother had anything
to do with the thefts. a complaint was
filed against him for petty larceny. and
he was taken before Justice Morrison
yesterday afternoon ard pleaded guilty
TO the charge. Sentence was set for to-
day.
Hawkins had the keys to every de-
partment of the establishment. and of
ten came to the store at night, presum-
ably to work. AT such times he is sup
posed to have loaded up the missing
property. There Will doubtless be othe;
charges Of a more serious nature lodged
against the man, and he stands a good
show of long term in the penitentiary.
The Craven Case
SAN EJ2 AiNC~TC,CO T,tpa1 10 NJ. W.