The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-12
POLICE ON
ALERT FOR
ALLEN
Total EmbezzIementO Abscond-
Ing Treasurer May Be- SllO,-
Society Loses Heavily

Boston, Aug. Fin circular issued by
the police yesterday giving description
OF willard S. Allen. absconding treasurer
OF the Preachers Aid society OF the New
England Methodist conference. the
amount OF his embezzlement is given as
$4,000
This figure is considerably In excess OF
any previous estimate. His letter OF con-
fession in which he said his stealings ag-
gregated $50 900, made no reference 10
misuse OF funds ether than those OF
the Preachers Aid society. Investigation
since, however, has brought 10 light sew
eral cases in which Allen misappropra-
ted money placed in his hands for safe
keeping.
IL was learned yesterday that the Meth
odist Historical society loss Is $500 This
society, of which Allen was treasurer,
was supposed to have $4,000 on deposit A
balance OF 500 is all that remains 10 their
credit
Words cannot express the feeling the
Methodists of New England have against
the man who was trusted implicitly and
IL was stated from an authoritative
source this afternoon that II Allen is ar
rested, as now seems likely, ne will be
prosecuted 10 the fullest extent OF the
law.
When Alonzo r. Weed. the secretary Of
the Preachers Aid society. makes his re-
port 10 the members OF the society at the
meeting To be held in Wesleyan hall to-
morrow afternoon at 4 o'clock many in
teresting facts which have not vet ap-
peared In public print are likely To be
learned Mr.. Weed. who. beside being
secretary OF the society, Is well-known
Boston lawyer, has been working assld-
I o L.
appearance OF Allen first became known
and he learned a great deal about the
man who until within few days had
been looked upon as one OF the most hon
est men living, There is no doubt that
some way will be determined upon for
continuing the Preachers Aid society.
put Just what method will be formulated
nor yet known. That prominent Meth
odists will come 10 the society's assist
ance is certain
WILL MAKE Up Loss
Methodists throughout New England
have read today Of the offer 81 Presi-
dent George r. washburn Of the Boston
Methodist Social union I'm which he
agrees to be one Of is to contribute 500
each toward making up the loss caused
oy Aliens Tight. or to be one OF $50 to
give $500. Most Of the conservative
Methodists interviewed today appreciate
the offer OF Mr.. washburn. but practically
all said they would much rather have
learned that Mr.. Washburn had started
subscription with contribution Of $500
or $1,000 than TO have made such an offer.
As matter Of fact the proposition Of
Mr.. Washburn did not meet with genera /
approval
IL is understood that in addition to
stating In the letter that Allen sent to
Rev George III Spencer that he had been
an embezzler for nine years he said that
at times he lost as high as SIS. 900 a year
He also wrote that when he told the Of
fcers OF the Prea achers' Aid society that
he had secured the bond which they
wanted him TO get he told lie and that
II he had not been pressed TO get that
bond he believed that within a year or
two he would have been able TO make
good the sum which he now admits steal
ing. He informed Rev. Mr. Spencer that
John O. Atwood. who has sworn that he
audited the accounts of Allen on March
20 OF the current year and also In March
1902. never saw the securities and simply
signed a statement TO that effect Mr.
Atwood has been quoted as saying that
he saw the securities and checked them
of In March last. but q well-known
Methodist Official stated today that such
was not the fact and that Mr.. Atwood
when he appeared before Chief Inspector
Watts at the latter's once recently he
| made the same admissions.
There now seems 10 he little doubt
| that the East Boston embezzler care
| fully planned his flight from this city
| and that In doing so he used all the cum
| ming at his command 10 battle the police
| authorities. In measure he was sue
cessful. but the police believe they now
have clues which will lead ultimately TO
/ hts capture
They laugh at the idea he may have
committed suicide, and say that a man
who had been a thief for nine years or
or more would become too hardened TO
take his Hfe when he saw the climax
coming According to the police n r.
| only those who take sudden step from
honest dealings who seek to hide their
disgrace by taking their lives
EARLY ARREST EXPECTED
Boston, Aug l2.-Following the clue
| furnished BY Lewis c. Gates of this city.
who reported having seen willard s AL
len, the missing treasurer OF the Metho-
! DIST Preachers Aid society, az Rochester.
| ~. Y. last Thursday. and the evidence
/ OF the letter mailed by Allen In Mon
/ trael confessing that he was a defsulter
| 20 the amount OF sso,ooo. the Boston po-
| lice believe they are squarly on the track
| OF Allen. General confidence is express
ed that Aliens ultimate arrest IL only
/ a question OF a few hours.
Il believe. said Charles r Magee.
that willard S. Allen, himself would
really feel happier To be brought back
10 Boston this moment. although Il was
TO a prison cell ] think that II will
be found that he IL perfectly willing 10
give up when the officers reach him.
Mr. Magee said that while the letter
! from Mr. Allen 10 Rev. Mr. Spencer. his
/ pastor. was sent from Montreal he be-
/ lleved II was written In East Boston be-
/ fore Allen started
II was learned today that the Metho-
/ dist Historical society's loss is $500
| They had $1,000 on deposit and all they
can find now is 500.
Many believe that Allen will eventual
~. acknowledge his wrong doing. There
is "A theory that he was on the point of
| confessing the day he Ned. but that
courage failed him.
Chicago. Aug i2.-Detectives OF the
. Chicago police department are watching
every railroad station I'm the city IN the
hope -Arreating Willard s,-AllAn,- the
missing treasurer OF the New England
Methodist Preachers Aid society who r.
said 10 have absconded with nearly $50. /.
90 Information that Allen was coming