Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-06
ALLEGED DEFAUL TER
William Henry, Prominent in Business and
Social Circles, Goes Wrong.
Was n Trusted Enploye of a Local
Firm and ORcial I'm Ma.
sonic Body.

enjoyed the confidence and esteem of a
large circle of Washingtonians in bust
ness. social, fraternal and religious circles,
has departed from Washington, leaving be-
hind varied list of Deeds including the
alleged wholesale robbery of his employers
and the dsSertion of his wife and an eigh-
teen months old baby.
The present whereabouts of the fugitive
are unknown. and, so far, no steps have
been taken to discover them, but, owing
to the number of mis- victims. 1t is probable
that Henry will not be able to enjoy liberty
for any length of time.
Henry. who is a man about thirty-two
years CT age, OF attractive appearance
with rosy cheeks and black mustache
of medium height ard always well dressed
came to Washington about ten years ago
from the west. where he had served an
enlistment, SO he said. in the army.
Held in High Esteem.
Eight years ago he entered the employ
nent of the firm of McGill & Wallace
printers, of No. 11O7 E street, and until his
disappearance, March %, and the develop
ments following, he was an esteemed and
trusted employe, being engaged as book
keeper and collector. He was, as stated
before, popular socially. and in the West
minister Presbyterian Church was consid-
cred an exemplary light, being superin-
tendent of the Sunday school and leader
IN Christian Endeavor circles. In Masonic
circles he was also prominent and popular,
being member of several lodges.
Handled the Funds.
He was secretary of one of them, and
as such handled the funds of the order,
the treasurer. being unable, on account
of his health, to attend to the duties
Of the office. 1t was the secretarys duty
to receive money from dues and other
sources and turn it at once over to the
treasurer. Henry received the cash and
paid the bills of the organization as they
were presented, but did not hand the bal
ance to the treasurer.
Previous to the election in the order, held
last week, committee was appointed, in
accordance with the custom, to examine
the accounts of retiring officers, and upon
examining the secretary's, found Henry to
be short about 500. This discovery, and
his knowledge of it, probably determined
Henry to leave the city. fearing the public
ity that might be made of his populations
would lead to the discovery of his other
shortcomings in the same direction, where
his employers and friends were the victims.
When he made up his mind to leave town
he set about supplying himself with means
to do so. He followed the same system he
had pursued in the past, as developments
since have shown
From a well-known clothing and mems
supply house he secured wearing apparel of
all descriptions, even including patent gar
tiers, to the amount of SS6.3S, and had the
same charged to McGill & Wallace, who
kept a running account at the establish
ment. These goods were gotten Friday and
Saturday, March % and % The date last
named he was paid his salary by his en-
ployers and left town that evening.
Victims Make Inquiry.
fa11
began to be made at McGill & Wallace's
by persons who had cashed personal checks
for him the latter part of the week before,
which had been returned from the banks
upon which they were drawn with the terse
Endorsement mo funds"
He had taken advantage of the implicit
confidence imposed in him by his business
friends, and mad drawn numerous checks
and had gotten them cashed on the Satur-
day of his departure, knowing that they
would not be presented for collection until
the following Monday. The victims of
Henry's dishonesty in this way are chary
of talking about their experience but it is
believed he secured $500 or 5000 on the
worthless checks.
Extent of Loss Not Known.
McGill & Wallace were also victimized by
their trusted employee, but just to what
extent cannot be learned until it is ascer-
tanned how many bills for March work had
been collected by Henry, and the money
kept by him. An examination of the books
kept by him is in progress. and shows fire.
quent false entries, it is said, the transfers
from the cash book to the ledger covering
small amounts that Henry took for his own
purposes.
Henry was married a few years ago to
Miss Riley, the daughter of a prominent
Mason, and he left Ter and their baby as
as he did The victims of
his acquaintance He resided with his lit
tie family at No. 1899 Emerson strees
northeast which extends from 18th street
L and F streets Mrs. Henry will
not listen to the suggestion of her husband
having made misstep, and is sure he will