The San Francisco call., 1904-02-06

High living has brought ruin to an
other well-known good fellow along
the line. Edwin E. Stoddard. formerly
manager of the bicycle department of
Dunham. Carrigan & Hayden Com
pany, now stands before the world an
accused embezzler. Yesterday after
noon he was locked up in the City
Prison, charged with stealing $3.50
from his employers. though the real
amount Of his peculations is said to
be at least $4,000 and possibly a great
deal more.
1t is the same old story of a trusted
empIoye and a lenient employer. Ac-
cording to the rumors that are fast
fitting about town, Stoddard has been
systematically robbing the firm by
which he was. employed for the last
four years. 1t trusted him as far as
it could and when the proof of his
guilt was at last a certainty his en-
ployers decided TO prosecute him.
Last January StOddard was abrupt
ly discharged from his position and at
that time it began to be nOised around
town that his accounts were not as
straight as they might be. Nothing
was said at the time, however, and
Stoddard went East to make arrange
ments for opening an automobile
agency in this city.
He returned a few weeks ago and
was preparing to launch himself into
the new field when he was arrested
on a warrant sworn to by Andrew
Carrigan. vice president of the Dun
ham, Carrigan & Hayden Company.
charging him with embezzling $50 of
the firms money on July u, 1903.
sTODDARD Is ARRESTED.
Stoddard was arrested and locked
up i'm the City Prison in default of
$4,000 bonds or $4,000 cash bail. He
refused to discuss the matter and re-
tanned his composure till late in the
afternoon. when he expected he would
be bailed out When the hours passed
by and no kindly friend came to his
rescue Stoddard became visibly wor-
ried and his nervousness increased.
The downfall of Stoddard is attri-
buted TO a rapid existence along the
line" He was ever known as a good
fellow, who was willing and ready to
spend his money when the opportunity
presented itself. He always Gined at
the high-class restaurants and it was
his wont to have only the real sporty
element seated at his table.
AS long as Stoddard had money to
spend and time in which to spend it
his friends never murmured and life
was one long spell of pleasure. But
rTr- Of no ~ nd
funds were not forthcoming as rapid
ly as Of yore, the friends of his former
days grew Indifferent.
He secured an automobile agency
in this city and was all ready to start
in on his new line of business when
the crash came. 1t is said that Mr.
Carrigan called Stoddard into his Of
! flee yesterday and taxed him with be-
/ ing short in his accounts. Stoddard.
ii is said admitted his guilt and told
his employer that he had systematic
cally robbed the firm for the last two
years, making away with $4,000 or
more.
CARRIGAN'S STATEMENT.
J 1t is not yet known just how much
! Stoddard stole from the firm. Andrew
Carrigan, who swore to the complaint
said:
1T is true that we have to-day
sworn out a warrant calling for the
arrest OF +. +. Stoddard on u charge
of felony embezzlement, the amount
involved being $3.50. There is prac-
tically nothing further beyond this
mere statement other than to say that
Mr. Stoddard, acting as an agent of
| the nham, Carrigan & Hayden
/ Company. collected this amount of
money and failed to make any returns
! for the same Mr.. Stoddard, having oc-
cupied a position of some response
bility with us. we considered the mat
ter sufficiently serious to warrant us
in taking this action. which we were
in duty bound TO do"
Stoddard is married and resided
with his wife at 1914 Broderick
street. He is about 3S years old and
was born in Michigan. He has resided