The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-26
WALLACE MADE 4
BAD MESS OF IT
ALL ATTEMPTS TO COVER UP HIS
a. TRAIL WERE ABORTIVE.
Nature Of Stolen Securities Such that
He Gould Not Hope to Realize Upon
Them Without Exposure-A Woman
Found in Michigan's Sensational
: Embezzlement Case.
Special to The Journal.

D. :
Marquette. Mich, Nov. 2e-Except for the re-
port that James Wallace, accused of appropria t.
ing valuable securities belonging to his former
employer, Edward N. Breitung, the millionaire
owner Of mines and lands, was accompanied in
his fight to England by a woman, there are no
developments in the case that has caused the big
gest sensation in years in northern Michigan. Mr..
Bretung is In Chicago today, having telegraphed
he was starting from there east, where he has
been on business connected with the alleged de.
falcation of his confidential secretary. He Is
expected here Sunday. Arrangements in
progress to have Wallace extradited. What
will be done with him Is unknown. However, 1t
may be taken for granted that Mr.. Breitung'
decision will rest in large degree on the
amount Of money received and whether Wal
lace's other business ana1rs are shown to De
in good order. ........... ....
Such proceedings, owing to the prominence OF
the man involved, the nature of the crime and
the spectacular way In which Wallace sought
to get out Of the country, will be among the
most sensational ever witnessed In this re-
gion 49,
London cablegrams relate that Wallace did
not sail alone on the Saxonia from Boston. He
accompanied by some woman, the couple
taking passage as Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson. No
friend of Wallace here has any idea who this
woman is or whether Wallace had known her
before leaving Marquette. 1t is rumored, how.
ever, that she may be a resident of Washing
ton, D. O., where as Mr.. Breitung's secretary,
Wallace has spent much time and where it is
said he intimate with woman whose
identity is not known here. It is considered
certain that his companion is not from Mar
quette.
Wallace's departure on the Saxonia was
learned of before the steamer arrived at Liver
pool and detectives We're waiting for 'Mr and
Mrs. Wilson . They were Swallowed until It was
ascertained that Wilson was none other than
Wallace, when he was put under arrest.
In the couples possession were found some
$25, 900 or more in cash and letters of credit.
Thus most Of the money realized from stocks
has been recovered. The discrepancy cannot
well be so large as to make settlement i'm.
possible, providing no additional Irregularities
are found. 1t Is generally commented that
Wallace made a bunglng Of the job.
The nature of the securities such that
the shrewdest would have been taxed to the
money and escape without leaving broad trail.
Wallace,s trail was plain enough for the detec.
tive agency and the case was easy.
Wallace first endeavored to sell the stocks
without having them transferred, but was un.
able to turn them into money in that way
1t was necessary for him to have them trans
ferred at the office maintained for that pur.
pose, thus leaving clear record. He made
but one or two attempts to hide his tracks
one Of them being a letter in which he an
nounced his intention of going to New Orleans
These attempts were insufficient and abortive
People here are puzzled to hit upon salts
factory motive for the crime. Wallace was
moderate in his tastes and careful about money
except in spells of dissipation. Possibly he
wanted revenge, for because of his irreeula,
habits his resignation had been requested Some
people incline to the theory that there must have
been previous irregularities in his conduct Of
Mr.. Breitung's business. Again, 1t is suggested
that Wallace may have been temporarily ir
responsible, but this theory does not appear t,
be feasible. So
Wallace is well along in years, being mar
of &C. 1t has been generally supposed he wal
not more than 40.