The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-06
COUNTRY HUNTS FOR BELCHER.
MISSING MAYOR'S DESCRIPTION
is SENT OUT BROADCAST.

near TO lie ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS "
ills Enects Fails to Show That He
spent the Money which He Stole.
PATERSON, N. j.. Aug. 6.--The where
ebouts Of Patersons absconding Mayor,
William H. Belcher, seems to be as deep
q mystery as ever. There are many per-
sons who believe that the man sailed on
Tuesday noon for England, where he has
relatives. The city was only awakening
on Tuesday morning to the enormity OF
Belchers crimes. He had worked dill
gently on Monday for the short time he
was in the city getting money from his
friends by exchanging checks and making
loans, and he had ample time to make all
arrangements to leave the country before
the public first heard the story OF his down.
fall
A we'll known criminal lawyer is said to
have visited Belcher at Garfield yesterday
morning to learn whether he would return
and face the music. This. It is said, he de-
cided not to do as his return would i'm
plicatc others in his crimes. II such meet
ing took place, it must have been long
before yesterday, for the secret OF his
hiding place could hardly have been kept
by his friends, all Of whom have been his
victims
Prosecutor Emley was in consultation
with Acting Chief OF Police Matthew
McGirr for the greater part of this morn
ing. As soon as complaint was made the
police egan their search for the missing
man. Detailed descriptions Of Pelcher,
with his picture, have been prepared and
are icing sent broadcast to-day over this
and foreign countries. The rumor that he
was still in Midvale. and another that he
was in Jersey City, were followed up, hut
not an additional fact that would throw
light on the present whereat outs of the
fugitive was brought to light.
The story that the Mayor had operated
in stocks is held to be groundless by many
men familiar. or at least supposed to have
been familiar, with his hal it's. The small
ness of his law business has long teen
we'll known fact among lawyers. His pur-
chase of farms in Midvale, Lower Freak
ness end Wanaque, and his oft repeated
declaration in public speeches and private
conversations that he loved country life.
show that farming was fad with the
mau.
He purchased farms with money originally
borrowed from the building and loan asso-
citation. of which he was president for
seventeen years. His farms never paid.
He spent considerable sums in fixing them
up as gentleman's farms should be, and he
was forced to give mortgages. He was
carrying mortgages and notes, it Is estimated
to-day, of $4,000. The interest and ex-
penses of his homes in this city and Mid
vale we're not less than SO 900 year. Then
he began his career OF robbing Peter to
pay Paul. In going through his three desks
many blank books of tho Manchester Build
ing and Loan Association we're found. He
had them at his elbow re1dy to fill them in
and present them to the ever ready trust
company for loan.
The Manchester Building and Loan As
ISOLATION will be a loser by over $4,000
This Is more than three years interest for
the shareholders. Tho association was
rated as the strongest in the State. having
paid annually more than 8 per cent. on its
shares. The fact that Belcher had seven
books in the association on which he paid
monthly instruments is explained by the
fact that he had books written in the names
OF some Of his dead clients. He there
fore easily complied with the law governing
associations OF that character, which says
that an individual may not hold more than
twenty shares. The strength Of the Man
chester induced persons from Philadelphia,
New York and cities in this State to pur-
chase shares "a an investment. 1t Is
rumored to-day that receiver will be asked
to wind up the associat ions affairs.
Not bit of PAPER of any kind was left
BY the missing Mayor that shows how he
spent his money. His brother-in-law,
William R, Meakle, emptied the desks to-
day. Tho only thing brought to light was
- 81 ~
will cdd another 5000 to the list Of debts
The gullitity of Belcher's clients ard
friends and his powers Of deception in the
matter Of mortgages and shown by the fact
that on three pieces of property valued at
s6coo TO carried mortgages to the amount
Of $4,000.
Nothing was too small for his ret. He
is known to have converted to his own
Use even $40 in rent left for one Of his Office
force. A Waikiki, N. Y. paper says that
he defrauded persons there Of thousands
OF dollars and that his downfall Is not sur
prising.
The Official notice sent out to-day by the
police, aud which follows a picture of
'Belcher. s as follows:
WILLIAM BELcHER. wanted for emhezsle-
z, mixed business suit. black soft 'hnt ard
He is wal ted for embezzlins sums of morey
from private individuals amour lir 10 over
100000. The specific charge on which the
complaint is issued is The cmbezzlemcrt
OF s. SEQ.
Age about gO'yenrs: height. feet o inc hes:
weight. 100 pounds; fair complexion: fair
face large full eyes: Quick WI iker: wore hcavy
brown mustacbe wher last seen. but may
have shaved II off.
Mrs, Belcher is Frustrated at Midvale.
The stories OF her husbano's crimes were
severe on her. She will return to Plain
field, her former home. as soon as sho has
fully recovered from the shock.
lr,rn,snnEr ~, Dn,sa,-r.,