The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-04
Skipped With
Money.


Edward f. Harvey, q well-knoWn life
insurance man Of this city is under
arrest in Chicago, and Inspector O'Day
Of this city is speeding westward as
fast as steam cars will take him, to
bring the insurance man back to Wor-
cester. where he will stand trial for
the embezzIement of $1,000, which was
entrusted TO his care.
Embezzlement of theft in any form
is bad enough, but when the offense
involves the sole means Of d widow
and fatherless children. the crime ap-
pears particularly contemplate. Such
is the case at issue.
About six months ago, Mr.. Harvey
accepted the office of local manager for
the Greenfield Life Association, with
headquarters in room 633, State Mu-
tual building. During the latter part
of September, Charles p. Morgan Of
2S5 Shrewsbury street a policy holder
in the company, died leaving his wife
with little more than the value of his
life insurance policy.
Michael G. O'Neill of IS Waverly
street, district manager for this Sec
ton Of the state and under whom Har-
ney worked. learned of the woman s
condition and arranged to have the pol
icy paid as soon as possible, without
waiting 80 days, as the company has
the privilege of doing
Through the efforts of Mr. O'Neiu
the matter was hurried from the main
Office, and on Oct. IA a check for $1,000
accompanied by the release for the
heirs to sign, was received by Harvey
who. as local agent, was empowered
70 make payment
Oct. Is, Harvey went to the home of
Mrs. Eliza E. Morgan who is named
as her husbands beneficiary. and after
explaining his business, told her she
would have to sign certain papers be
fore she could receive the money The
woman has little knowledge of papers
OF any sort. and a witness who was
called in, knew little more
AS has developed since, Harvey mad
the woman sign the release in regular
form and endorse the check as well.
This done, he returned to his office.
Ihe next day was Sunday, and, as few
people cared to cash a check of this
amount Harvey was obliged to wait
until Monday, when he went to the
Citizens National Bank and drew the
money leaving town shortly after
ward
The first that Mr. O'Neil. who is out
OF town most Of the time, knew that
anything was wrong. was when Mrs
Morgan came to the office to make in
qNlrles as to why she had not received
her money. A little investigation
proved to him that the local agent had
gone and taken the funds with him
Inc matter was reported to the DO
nee, and since that time Inspector
O'Day has been at work on the case
1t was thought at first that Harvey
might have gone to Europe but moth
Ing could be learned that would sub
stantiate This theory
In looking through the missing.
agents effects, Mr.. 0 Neiu found ma
pers that went to show that Harvey
has a brother in Mitchell, South Da-
kota, and immediate steps were taken
TO md out whether the missing man
had visited his brother or not Moth
ing was learned from this quarter.
however, and the police We're without
a clue as to the mans whereabouts I'M
til few days ago, when a telegraph
message was received at police head
quarters asking the officers to notify
Harney's wife that ne was i'll and an
inmate Of the Cook County hospital
in Chicago.
The dispatch also stated that Har-
ney's illness was due to excessive
drinking. and that he was experience
ing an attack of delirium tremens when
taken to the hospital.
Within comparatively short space
OF time, an answer vas flashed back
over the wires to arrest Harvey and
hold him until a Worcester officer
could come west for him. He was
placed under arrest, and Inspector
y. Day left Worcester at 40 yesterday
afternoon, to bring his man back to
answer for his crime 1t is understood
that Harvey is willing 20 return with
the officer, without the formality Of
eXtraditiOn papers.
Harvey has a wife and four small chill
dren, who have lived at IA Spruce streat
but recently moved into the three-stcry
block at the corner of Millbury and
Taylor streets A Spy man called at
the Harvey home yesterday, but
learned that the wife and children went
to Boston a few days ago, where they
are visiting friends
Mrs. Harvey is described as a sad
looking woman, who always appeared
as though bowed down with grief
Harvey is spoken of by his ASSOCIATE ties
as competent man in his line of bus
mess. He worked in Boston at ore
time and was at one time employed by
the Prudential Life Insurance Com
pany in this city as collector.
Previous to his connection with the
Greenfield company, he was employed
as assistant superintendent of the John
Hancock Company in this city. About
six months ago he was engaged by Mr..
O'Neill to take charge or the local
agency of the Greenfield Life Assoeia-
ton
Mr.. O'Neill says he had full conf
dence in the man, and considered him
competent to takecharge of the work
He knew that he drank to excess at
times, but never to his knowledge in
such way asto neglect his business
His confidence in Harvey was the
cause of his being less strict than or
dinaryl in securing bond, and allow
ing him to work without the custom
airy security. which, as the matter de-
velopes, was rather careless.
In spite of the fact that Mrs. Morgan,
to whom the $1,000 was to have been
paid, was culpably negligent in sign
ing the release as she did, Mr.. O'Nein
took immediate steps 10 reimburse her
although ne was not actually bound to
do so. A considerable amount of the
policy has been paid, and ne is wait
ing until it can be learned how much
money Harvey has in his possession be-
fore the policy is paid in full.
Occupants of the Office in which Har-
ney hired desk room say he came into