Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1905-08-04
HAD A FARM IN LONDONDERRY
Frank c. Miles, EmbezzIer, Found in
South Africa This Week,

Frank c. Miles, who disappeared
from his home in Boston in December
1895 after confessing to the embezzle.
ment of funds from the Boston Safe
Deposit & Trust company of which he
was treasurer, has been located In
Cape Town, South Africa, and the
Massachusetts authorities are seeking
assistance from Washington to help
in arresting him and extraditing him.
The state department has asked the
Cape Town authorities to hold Miles
for extradition papers and favorable
answer has been received. The news
of the discovery of Miles's whereabouts
will be read with interest by the people
in the northern part of Windham coun-
| ty. Previous to his embezzlement
Miles was a frequent visitor to Lon
donderry where he owned the Noun
tainlake farm. 1t Is estimated that he
expended between $50, 900 and $40, 900 on
the property in the way of improve
ments, and gave employment to
large number of people in that neigh
borhood. At the time of his disap-
pearance 1t was supposed by some that
he was in hiding at his Londonderry
place but such was not the case Re-
Gently the story that Miles had died
was generally accepted. but this view
OF the case was not entertained by
New York bonding company who had
been on the embezzler's bond for $780,
900 and had to make good that amount
1t was due to the persistent efforts of |
this concern that Miles was finally To- |
Gated.
When first the report of Miles's theft
of the trust company's funds was re-
ceived it caused a shock such as only
an event of inexplicable happening
can. 1t seemed incredible. Here was
4 man with salary of $4,000 year,
who had never been accused of ex-
.ravagant tastes, living quiet and I'M
life. who. upon being con-
'ronted with the charge of misapply-
ng the funds intrusted to his care,
breaks down, confesses and them be-
ore his accusers recover from their
leaves for parts I'M :
Inown. :
Until ii came to the ears of the Of /,
icials of the company that Miles had !
,een heavy loser in some unsuccess- q
ul stock ventures. the thought that r
lis dealings were other than honest :
lad not occurred to any one of the =
ompany. There was something that y
ed the trust companys officers to have
N examination made of the treasurer's =,
counts. From all that could be n
earned the ready cash receivable, is
ayable and on deposit was found in II
act but close scrutiny into the IT
lnds of one of the trusts assumed 4
Y the company showed a strange N
in the principal. So I,
.artling was the surprise to the pres
lent of the company. F. NJ. Stone.
lat he determined to call the treas
rer to a quick and summary account.
uring the afternoon. it is said. Pres OF
ent Stone questioned Treasurer h,
lies respecting the alleged hypothe- n;
ltion of a considerable portion of one FL
the trusts. II is said that Miles m
'oke down and acknowledged the r.
nth. pl
The interview between the presi- %
mt and the treasurer is said to have ch
ZEN quite affecting. President he
one. not quite certain what course en-
should pursue. decided that no ac- XII
IN should be taken until the matter III
IS brought before the full board of I'M
rectors. A meeting of the latter ne
IS therefore called for Friday, De- sa
mber s. 1896, the president in the in.
aantime leaving the treasurer the
ercise of his liberty. but relieved of
) duties to the company. So far as
own Miles spent that Thursday PR
,ht December IL, i'm Boston at his no
aeon street home. though ON Friday Pc
did not appear at the Milk street of
ices of the company However. it is chi
own that he was about town during fee
J day, but the few who saw him an
re Impressed with his strong inclin- Ev
on TO avoid the business section. Co
When complaint was formally made to
the police concerning his defalca- sci