Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1902-08-21
COUNTY COLLECTOR
A DEFAULTER.

OOuuty OoiIecJor william y. Gar
rison has left Bridgeton for parts un-
known, defaulter in the sum of
$s5, 3O6 81. Mr.. Garrison is a self
confessed embezzler.
When the story became rumored
about Wednesday the people were
shocked Many could not believe it.
but the gossip had a solid foundation.
The story in its terrible details is
now public property. There is
nothing to conceal, nothing to ex-
plain. A grief stricken family, to
whom the sympathy of all is freely
given, are stunned in an awful be-
reavement, while the community
soberly discusses the matter.
For some days Mr.. Garrison has
been discussing a proposed trip to
Salt Lake City, Utah. to attend the
convention of the Elks, of which he
is member. His arrangements were
all made to start last Wednesday
afternoon for New York and there he
was to join the New York Elks and
accompany them to the Utah.
All of his business matters were
arranged so far as he could, and on
the day he left he discounted in the
Cumberland Bank note for So, 900 for
County purposes. 1t is understood
that $3500 of this money remains in
the Bank.
When Mr., Garrison left Bridgeton
he gave to his head salesman at the
store, Mr.. John Hummel, sealed
envelope with instructions not to open
it before Monday night last. Mr..
Hummel obeyed the instructions
implicitly, and when Monday evening
came tore open the envelope. In it
was the key to Mr.. Garrison's private
vault in the safe, with note direct
ing Mr.. Hummell too open the vault.
This Mr.. Hummell did. In the
vault were various envelopes sealed
and properly addressed. Some were
to members of his family, others to
his employees, and one for Mr.. George
Reeves, Director of the Board of
Freeholders. AnotherI was directed
co Joseph Powell, Secretary of the
Bridgeton Lodgesof Elks.
The letters to his employees made
full confession of the defalcation. It
was explained in Mr. Garrison's
hand writing that his speculation had
begun during the first year he was in
office, ten years ago and had con-
tlnued ever since. Mr.. Garrison fur
her explained that he could not possi-
bly, make up the deficiency, and he
/ had left Bridgeton and the country
orever, and would never again be
seen here.
In the vault was also due bill to
the County of Cumberland in the sum
fof $s5, ,3O6. 81.
The envelope directed to Mr..
George Reeves contained written
resignation as County Collector, the
resignation to take effect upon the
selection of his successor.
The envelope directed to Mr..
Powell contained Mr. Garri sons
resignation as Exalted Ruler of the
Bridgeton Lodge of Elks.
All of these matters were at once
shown by Mr.. Hummell to the proper
authorities.
Director George Reeves, of the
Board of Freeholders, and the County
Solicitor, Samuel Iredell, took up the
matter yesterday and made such in
vestigations as possible. An effort
was made to find the collectors bond
TO the county, but this was not loca-
ted. Mr.. Garrison was reelected to
the position of collector in May, 1900
and gave bond which was approved
by the Board of Freeholders in the
sum of fifty thousand dollars. The
minutes show that the bond was
accepted, but nobody can find the in
-Astrument.
At this time the clerk was inexper-
fenced and it is now supposed that
Mr.. Garrison simply picked up the
bond and took it with him at the
I time, and the clerk did not know that
he was to have charge of it. There
as no record anywhere of who the
bondsmen are, and the county will
have no redress under this instrument
flor the recovery of any money except
Jas an ordinary creditor.
Further investigations made hur-
sriedly by the director and the solicitor
show that as far back as 1897 there
was shortage of S9O0O
Director Reeves at once had
special meeting of the Board called
for next Tuesday morning at the
Court House.
n Last night Mr.. Meyer Goldsmith,
Nan expert accountant arrived here
*and began to-day to make careful