Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-30
B|GELOW DEfALCAT|ON
Interest in Case Manifested
in Washington.
MAY HAVE LIVED HERE
THIS IS DENIED BY PEOPLE NOW
IN MILWAUKEE.
B. Frank Bigelow Robbed Local Bank,
Served in Penitentiary, Then
Disappeared.
MAY HAVE LIVED HERE

Considerable interest is being manifested
in this city in the case of Frank G. Bige-
low. the defaulting banker. who came near
wreckng the First National Bank of Mil
waukee. 1t is believed by some people here
that the defaulter is none other than b.
Frank Bigelow, who was sentenced to the
Albany penitentiary in 1882 for robbing the
National Bank of the Republic, now the
Lincoln National Bank, in this city, of
$4,000, while he was employed in the bank
as receiving tellers.
There is difference in one initial in the
names, but this is not regarded as being OF
much consequence by the acquaintance of
the former teller of the local bank.
None of the friends of b. Frank Bigelow
could be found last night to tell anything
concerning his whereabouts. After being
sentenced to serve eight years in prison he
was pardoned, and it is stated, did not re-
turn to this city. 1t is known that when
he was pardoned, which was after he had
served about three years of his sentence he
went west. and was in Chicago for a short
time His wife, mother and father died
and his children We're cared for by their
grandfather, Mr.. Burr, who has also since
died.
The Milwaukee case at least recalls to
the people of this city the incident in which
the supposed exemplary citizen was by no
means what he pretended he was and also
recalls a clever piece of work on the part of
Detectives James A. McDeVitt and Charles
h. Finder, who were then members of the
local detective corps.
A Trusted Employe.
Bigelow was a trusted employee of the
bank and enjoyed the confidence of the en-
TIRE community. He lived at 917 r street
northwest and had an attractive family
1t was not until an accident happened in
the bank that confidence in him was
shaken. and then he left this section to
seek hiding place in Canada. In his work
OF manipulating the banks funds it became
necessary for him to secret some of the
slips that We're made out when money was
deposited The teller found it an easy mat
Ter to pocket the money and slips and
enter the deposits in the books of de-
pOSitors.
another employee by mistake and some of
the slips dropped from the pocket of the
garment. Then the investigation, which
ended in arrest, conviction and sentence,
was begun.
As Sunday school superintendent Bige-
low entertained his corps of teachers and
spent large sums of the money on the
scholars. This lavish entertainment ceased
when it became necessary for him to flee
from justice, ard then 1t became known
that he had been spending money which be-
longed to the bank
Major Richards who was then chief of
police, was appealed to, and he detailed
Detectives McDevitt and Finder to find
the fugitive bank teller. These officers
learned that he had started from here to go
to Pittsburg, and Detective McDevitt fol-
lowed him. 1t was known that he had
brother living in Idaho, and the detective
went there in search of him. His mission
was not fruitless one, for while there he
learned that Bigelow had been supplied
with limited amount of funds and Had
gone toward Canada. The detective went
to Ogden, Utah, to await orders and was
summoned home. Upon reaching Chicago,
however he received a message telling him
TO proceed to Detroit.
proceed there at once" was the way
the message read. Charlie F'lindeD Will
meet you; our man is in Canada"
The two detectives met and went to-
gether to Port Huron. In order to reach
Port Sarnia, Canada it was necessary to
take passage on ferry boat. 1t happened
that Bige1ow was staying at a hotel from
the veranda of which he commanded full
view of the ferry tramway and could see
the passengers as they reached the wharf.
Fearing he would be on the lookout and
would detect them, the detectives went
through the custom house and tried to
avoid passing in view of the hotel.
Temporarily Disappears.
Bigelow was seated upon the veranda of
the hotel, and he spied the detectives about
the time they saw him. He jumped from
the veranda and disappeared. The hotel and
outbuildings were searched but no sign OF
the fugitive was to be seen. They traced
him three miles into the country and finally
abandoned the pursuit after telling Port
Sarnia officers they would receive $500 re-
ward for his apprehension and delivery
across the river. They were given to I'M
derstand, however. that there was to be no
kidnapping. The next morning Bigelow was
delivered TO the officers at their hotel in
Port Huron, and the officers were paid the
$500
1t is said that Mrs. Bigelow died shortly
after her husband had received his SEN
tence. HIS aged parents were broken
hearted, and his conduct, it is thought, has,
tened their end.