Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-02
SERIOUS CHARGE.
Boston Young Man Accused OF Stealing
Money.

Boston, May 1.-The defalcation of
William +. Gates, the missing treaSuf-
err of the Fl. II. BufTum Company or
Abingdon. manufacturers of autOmO-
biles, may amount to more than at nrst
! supposed. New evidence is coming to
light that shows that the young man
had been making; large inroads into the
funds of the company. The exact
amount will not be known until the
books are thoroughly gone over.
Bates has succeeded III hiking his
books in such Il manner that no one
knew anything about any shortage,
ard it was not until he failed to appear
at the office of the company last Mon
day morning that anything wrong was
suspected. Mr.. Buffun, the president OF
the company, made inquiries at Bates
home, and found that Mrs. Bates knew
nothing of his whereabouts. He then
made Il haSty examination or the
books, and it was not until he found Il
check which had been partly torn OFT.
with a different amount underneath,
that he suspected Bates. A further ex-
animation followed, and the evidence
was plain that Bates had abscondcd
with considerable money.
Mir. Bu,fum said yesterday that the
shortage will date back to year ago
last March, and perhaps further. The
most of the money missing was taken
from the II. II. Buffum Company, but
Mr.. Ruffum stated this morning to the
Herald reporter that Bates had also
drawn on his personal account and had
falsficd the chcckboOk in several
places.
will the defalcation amount to more
than $4,000 us was stated in the Herald
this morningg' asked the reporter Of
Mr.. Buffum.
yes; it will be that amount all
right said Mr.. Butfum, land it may
amount to twice that sum. l have al
ready found several thousand dollars
lost Several checks have been lost, and
there is no record of them.
..Other check books, dating back over
a wear. showed that this was Il common
occurrence and he had been stealing i'll
various amounts, ranging from 500 to
$500 a week. l made Il further eXanin-
alton of the amounts and also of the
dcpOsit drawer at the bank, and found
that several of my savings bank books
were missing These books were most
all on Boston banks and he has drawn
money on them. 1 suppose he has the
books with him."
1t develops that the young man has
been leading Il very fast life. He was
spending money right and left, and had
everything that he wanted. Up to last
fall, when he was married, Bates tray
elIed with a hard crowd, and it is said
that he gambled. He was very I'M
lucky.
Mrs Bates parents are well to do,
and she had been accustomed to living
in good style. The couple tok up their
residence in Il handsome home on Park
avenue in Abingdon and seemed very
happy. They moved in the best society
in Arlington and ROckland and he spent
money on his bride with a lavish hand.
It was learned, yesterday that the
check for 800 which Bates paid to the
ROckland man is forgery. Mr.. Buff
fun said he had got the check back
and it has his forged signature on it,
and also the name Of Mr.. Bates as
treasurer of the company. Mr.. Buffum
said he gave Bates Il check, last Satur-
day, for $40 and this was raised to $40
and Cashed at Rockland.
There are many who claim they are
not surprised ut the outcome. They say
Bates has been living like a prince and
they are at loss to understand why
Mrs Bates did not know it. Bates sue
ceedcd in keeping his financial affairs
awav from the knowledge of his wife.
Mr.. Bates has been a resident of Abb
ington less than three years. He is
member of Il well-known Dorchester
1t, ,fcs S-.1i1 n n
wealthy. His parents Travelled Il great
deal, and are now in California. 1t Is
believed that Bates has started for CAL
ifornia. 1t was ruInored, yesterday,
that Il reward had been offered for his
arrest. but Mr.. Buffum would not verb
fy the story.