New-York tribune., 1905-08-03
FORGERIES NOW 100000.
BELCHER STILL MISSING.
Case Nay Go to Grand Jury-Man
Mag Be Insane.
LBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

Paterson, Aug. 2.-To the desire to be a gen
tleman farmer and his generosity to friends in
hard luck is attributed the downfall of Mayor
William H. Becher of Paterson, who disap-
peared from this city Monday after he had
learned that forgeries, involving thousands of
dollars, could no longer be concealed.
All efforts TO find Mayor BeIcher have failed.
and many Of his friends fear that he has taken
his life. Mayor Belcher's peculations affecting
banks and estates for which he acted
sci, and funds raised for clients on mortgages,
it is now believed. VIII not be short of $4,000.
Mayor Belcher always bore an excellent repu-
tation in the community He was a lawyer
with moderate income but, it is known. lived
far beyond his He had craze for buy
ing and stocking farms. He had at least six
farms in Passaic County and a home in Pat
erson, where he maintained horses and car
riages for himself. his wife and son, who was
graduated recently from medical college in
Baltimore
Mr.. Belcher's extravaganza was almost en-
irely in domestic affairs. Wherever he saw
piece of farm land that suited his fancy. Mayor
Belcher proceeded to possess himself of it. One
OF his most recent purchases was a farm in
Preakness, on which stood a house said to have
been the headquarters of General Washington
on his march through this section Mr. Belcher
caused TO be erected in front of the entrance
to the farm a sign with the words Washing
toms Headquarters" He was the owner of a
well stocked farm at Midvae. He was proud Of
the cattle he raised there and about three
weeks ago he invited the members of the Board
Of Aldermen and some prominent politicians to
spend a day with him guests at his farm, an
invitation that gladly accepted.
The estimated value of the real estate owned
by Mayor Belcher is $4,000. But his equity in
the property is not more than $4,000. Mayor
Belcher was known as a liberal contributor to
charity and to friends in hard luck. He has fire.
quently advanced money to struggling young
lawyers. and has helped them by turning over
part of his business TO them. He was looked
upon as model citizen In every way, and the
developments of the past few days have been
great shock to the community.
The first body to take action against the
Mayor is the Silk City Safe Deposit and Trust
Company. At a meeting of directors to-day he
was deposed as vice president of the company.
In the absence of the Mayor, William H. Young.
President of the Board of Aldermen, is acting
Mayor.
Mayor Belcher's political record is clean so
far as is now known. Under tn, laws Of this
State he could be removed only by impeach-
ment proceedings but as there has been off,
cial misconduct no such proceedings thought
Of.
Prosecutor Emley of Passaic County. to-day,
when he received official notice from the De
partment of Banks and Insurance of illegal
transactions by Mayor Belcher. involving the
Gernan-Amercan Trust Company, the Citizens
Trust Company and the Hamilton Trust Com
pany. in sums aggregating at least Sl0OD. at
once told the bank officials 10 furnish him with
full details.
If is expected that the whole matter will come
before the next grand jury, providing the bank
officials are willing to proceed against Mr..
Belcher.
1t is no longed denied that the Mayor obtalne"
money from the banks on worthless and forged
securities Of the Manchester Building and Loan
Association. of which he is preside These
securities were IN the nature of passbooks, on
several Of which the name of the secretary of
the association, George W Alice was forged.
Mr. Alice, after examining the various pass
books given as security. made this statement to
Bank Examiner Joseph NJ ConkIin:
In regard to the five books held by the Ger
man-American Trust Company three are for
geries and are not books or the association.
Another book has been repaid, and is Of no
value the series having matured The remain
ing book was a book Of the association pledged
10 the association for a mortgage loan OF $3.50.
In regard to the books held by the Citizens
Trust Company as security one is a forgery
and two are books of the association held by
Mr. Belcher as executor. Both OF them are
pledged TO the association Tor mortgage loans
of 81 900 and $1,000.
- IN regard 10 The book held by the Citizens
Trust Company. this one IS a forgery.
Mr. Alice further stated that the Endorsement
and signature on nine books not his in
Continued on second page