The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-07
DREW $1,000 AND SKIPPED.
MATHEWS CHARGED WITH PLAIN
STEALING M MURPHY & co.


Went $500 Behind In His Accounts
Inside of Few Weeks and Needed
Money with which to Make His
Departure--The sum Was Fur
nished by the Firm and Matthews
sISipped-His Whereabouts Seem
to he "A Mystery-Representa
of the Firm Are. Going Over the
Accounts and the Shortage May
BE Increased.
The whereabouts of w. C. Mathews, the
absconding manager of Murphy g. Co.'S
brokerage Office in Savannah, are even
more of a mystery than ever The man
who was thought 10 be Mathews and who
bought a ticket to Washington. allowing
his baggage to go to that city without
going there himself, has been traced and
proved not TO be Mathews. This has
thrown the detectives off the scent, and
they are now at loss for clue.
The charge against Mathews, if he is
apprehended, will be a serious one. 1t is
no longer a matter of shortage. though
there is doubtless considerable shortage,
but one of grand larceny. "It is a plain
representatives of Murphy G. Co, who are
investigating. the matter, to a Morning
News reporter yesterday.
Mathews wired to headquarters on
Saturday for 5000. There was no sus-
picion of any crookedness on his part.
Ii was supposed that the money was re-
quired in the business here. and the
amount was promptly telegraphed. He
cashed the order at the bank requesting
that It be given him in large bills. That
afternoon he disappeared, and he has not
been seen since. not by those who would
most like 10 see ham, anyway"
tt seems thai Mathews had good reason
for taking his departure. and that his
need for funds was immediate. 1t is re-
iabiy stated from another source, that
Mathews shortage previous to his $4,000
scoop, amounts so far to $500. He is
said 20 have lost some of this in playing
the races. though he is also reported to
have taken flyer in stocks occasionally,
and to have been high roller generally.
Mathews was a married man, and it IA
probable that the reports of woman
in the case" are unfounded. His wife
was here with him, but was sent to New
York last week
Mathews" the Morning News inform
ant stated, was with the Arm for time
In New York. He was sent from there
to Atlanta, and was with the firm there
duh in Atlanta, and a vacancy occurring
in Savannah, he was sent here in order
not to discharge him. We supposed, OF
course, that he was all right. His abb
sence was not reported until about II
O'Clock Monday, when steps were taken
at once 10 begin an lnvestiga ton"
Mathews chose a good time for his dis
appearance. From Saturday afternoon
until Monday morning he had ample time
10 put some distance between himself and
Savannah. and Monday being a holiday.
he may have Thought that his absence
from the office would be attributed to this
cause. The Office was open as usual Mon
day, however. When Matthews did not
appear at his usual hour, the office OPP
orator supposed that he had probably
spent the night at Tybee, and was late
in returning TO the city. As he did not
show up by II O'Clock, however, the OPP
orator reported the matter to the Atlanta
office. and steps were at once taken to
ascertain his whereabouts, but so far
without success.