The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-21
BROKER BAKERS SHORTAGE.
Behind i'm His Accounts With the
Cumberland Mills.

Cumberland Mills.
Thomas NJ. Baker. a broker with an Of
fee in the Board of Trade building and an
Ensign in the Third division of the Savan-
nah naval militia, was lodged in Jail yes
terday on a warrant charging him with the
misrepresentation OF funds received from
the sale of goods consigned to him by the
young man, it is understood, admitted the
charge in part after his books had been ex-
amined by an expert accountant.
Baker was under surveillance the night
before. The desire of all concerned was to
keep the matter quiet, pending an effort
which the young man intended making for
bond and for this reason it was generally
agreed that he should be allowed to remain
at a hotel during The night. He registered
at the Planters. and while the officer was
there for a time, he soon left and allowed
Bakers clerk to remain with him as a
guard. Mr.. Baker was in court early yes
terday morning after having made several
efforts to give bond. When it was seen
there was no possibility of his doing so, a
commitment was issued and he was taken
TO Jail.
Mr.. j. ]. Mccain. who is Identified with
the Cumberland mills, has been in the
South checking up, some of the accounts
of brokers representing the company and
came to Savannah for this purpose He
called on Mr.. Baker and informed him
of his business, telling him to collect all
his outstanding accounts in order that the
books might be adjusted and the account
settled Mr.. Baker was given ample time
In which to do this. He visited many of
his patrons but the few accounts due
were not very large and he did not sue
ceeed in collecting great deal.
Nothing was suspected by Mr.. Mccain,
however, until he received a note from
Mr.. Baker stating that he was short in
his accounts and could not make settle
ment. On receiving this information Mr..
Mccain at once wired his clients of the
matter and got an answer directing him
90 have MIR. Baker arrested. The matter
was placed In the hands of McLaws &
Cain, local counsel for the company, after
which it was decided that the arrest be
made. A warrant was issued, and short
| ly after receiving it, Constable Lilienthal
ran across Mr. Baker on Bull street and
broke the news to him. He was greatly
distressed over the affair, but used his
utmost endeavoTs to keep the matter I'M
| der cover with the hope that he would
be able TO make bond and fix up the claim
| with the company
The warrant states that the company
shipped Baker goods amounting TO nearly
| $1,000 for which he is unable TO account.
! In the shipment is included 313 barrels OF
| flour, 81, 1855; 800 sacks of grits, 267.25,
| and $40 barrels of bran, $187.42. Part or
this, however, according to the claim of
| Mr.. Baker, and il is understood to be cor
! rect, is an open account with the excep-
| ton of about 500, which was shipped on
! consignment. He is understood to be GRIM
! inally accountable only for this amount.
and in the event it is raised he may be able
to see himself clear. Several of his friends
have enlisted themselves in his behalf with
a view to raising the amount of the short
age. If their efforts are successful the
mistake the young man has fallen into
may be Strengthened up before the prelim-
mary examination before Justice Nathans
| tomorrow.
Mr.. Bakers friends are unable to ac-
count for his actions. Nothing could come
more in the nature of a surprise to them
in view of the fact that he was steady in
his habits, did not spend money in a care
less way, and was apparently attentive to
| his business duties. He is an ensign IN
| the Third division of the naval militia, in
which he has achieved the reputation OF
being an excellent officer. He is popular
| among the men of his division, and there
are none who will feel his misfortune more
keenly than his colleagues of the militia.
Desiring to find out what could be done
several of his friends called on Mr.. Nc
! Cam at the Pulaski House, but only to
find that he was acting as agent and was.
| therefore, absolutely powerless to make
! any terms not concurred in by his clients.
| Personally, he feels very kindly toward
young Baker. He will remain in savan-
nah until after The preliminary hearing.
There seems 10 have been no attempt
on the part of Mr.. Baker to conceal any
thing. An open confession was made
about the shortage, and he proposed to
work for the company and devote the en-
tire of his salary with the exception of his
expenses, TO the payment of the claim
While under surveillance at the hotel II
| is said, he could have escaped had he de-
| sired to do so, as the watch kept by the
friend was not as close, of course as that
| of an officer