The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-24
POST OFFICE CLERK ARRESTED.
Augusta Man c harged With Embezzle-
ment of S14OO.

Augusta, September 23.-Elden W.
Hanks, money order clerk in the Angus
ia post office, was arrested at tho Angus
ia post office Friday morning by Post
Office Inspector Theodore W. Swift for the
ENLIGHTENMENT of Sl40O. and taken before
U. S. Commissioner Choate. Postmaster
Stinson and the inspector testified against
him. He was represented by A. M.
Goddard, Esq, and pleaded not guliey,
although he afterwards partially aoml1reo
his guilt, saying that no lost the money
from his pocket. He was bound over
under $4,000 bonds to the circuit court at
Portland, and was taken to the henne-
bee Jail where he now lies.
1t is claimed that Hanks speculatlons
have been in progress for month or
mora, but were not discovered until with
in 4S hours and then only by chance.
The inspector was sent for and arrived
Thursday evening, he and the postmaster
being occupied the longer portion of the
night in Investigating the clerks ac-
counts, the outcome being that they found
him short in the neighboThood Of $l400
j At O'Clock Friday morning he was tax
en- by the inspector in his office, much to
his apparent surprise.
| Postmaster Stinson went to Portland
on the night train and returned at 9
O'Clock with Deputy Marshal Smith, who
| took the prisoner into custody. Hanks
was closeted for several hours with the
post office officials, who gave him
searching examination, but he contin-
ually denied his guilt.
| His manner Of operating, according 20
the charge made, was a new one. Minor
money order offices in this section are
tributary to the Augusta office and hanks
as money order clerk received returns
from them. About month ago one or
more of the returns came in and he failed
to acknowledge receipt of them at the
4 time. but later on when other returns
were received he did acknowledge the re-
ceipt OF those which he had passed tax
ling the money of the last received to
make good thu first. In this way he con-
| tinued.
| Hanks, it Is said, lost tho money in
bucket shop operations, the board going
IagainstJ him. He has also.been an owner
of a trotting horse which he has driven
in several races. These COST him much
money.
He is Sc years of age, and was appoint
ed money order clerk by Postmaster
Lynch under the last Cleveland admin
istration. He has been under the civil
service rules He has been regarded as
an efficient clerk.
! HANKS GETS BAIL.
| Augusta. September 23-Elden W.
Hanks, the money order clerk in the
Augusta post Office, was arrested today,
charged with the embezzlement of $l343.
He was taken before U. S. Commissioner
VS.. Choate, who placed him under $1,000
bonds for his appearance at the next term
of the United States court at Portland.
He secured bonds and was released.
| 1t was only by chance that a shortage
in his accounts was detected a few Gays
ago. Postmaster Stinson sent for In
| spector Swift of Boston. who arrived and
together they examined the accounts
Thursday night, finding the shortage.
When accused Friday morning, Hanks
said he knew he was short for an amount
little larger than the inspector found,
but claimed that he lost the money re-
Gently while upon his way to the bank
to deposit. He feared to speak of the mat
ter lest he would lose his position and he
hoped to make the sum good before it
| was discovered.
Inspector Swift says he finds that the
accounts have been kept in manner
that show dishonesty and this, he says,
| is supported by Hanks's actions with
the money that is deposited with him
by the postmasters of the small officers
about here, Augusta being a deposit
ice.
Hanks has been regarded as very
efficient clerk, having held the position
for the past five years. He has also been
the secretary of the local civil service ex-
animation board. His age is about IS
years.