The Washington times., 1905-08-07
MAYOR BELCHER
IS BADLY WANTED
Police in Paterson Are Still
Without Clue.
PURLOINED A POCKETkNlFE
Incident of School Life Recalled by an
Old Acquaintance-One
Lucky Man.
PURL0INED A POCKETkNIFE

PATERSON, n. J. Aug. The police
of Paterson are still without q clue 10
the whereabouts of Mayor William H
Belcher, who is wanted on charges Of
having. by means OF forgery and false
pretenses, obtained over 100000 from
friends. clients. and banking institutions
in his home city. from which he fed
one week ago today.
The more the career of BeIcher is in
Vestigated, the blacker his record ap-
pears The one astounding feature OF
the whole business Is how he managed
TO delude his friends and acquaintance.
Dishonesty Is Charged.
HE was dishonest as a schoolboy and
continued dishonest all through his life, "
said one who knew him we'll in speak
ing yesterday of the recent revelations
why continued this old acquaintance
of the mayor, ''he was whipped once at
school and sent home for stealing a
pocketknife from one Of his schoolmates,
and I remember well that the school
master at that time predicted a future
Of criminanty for BeIcher."
Many incidents were recalled yester-
Gay OF Belchers trickery when a young
man in Paterson before he became a
member OF the bar. And yet in recent
years BelCher was generally regarded
as q man who was incapable of doing a
dishonest act.
The borough of HaIedon has just dis
covered that IL is among the victims of
the mayors fraudulent transactions
Some time ago land was purchased by
the borough for a new road. Belcher
attended to the legal end Of the bust
ness. He produced q title showing that
the property was free and clear. The
! borough officials learned yesterday that
II was mortgaged Tor more than it's
value. . The road Will not be opened for
! the present at least
According TO the testimony OF old as
sOclates in the town OF Waikiki, n. Y
fletcher went to live in Waikiki TWEEN
ty-nine years ago. ana was at first en-
Eioyed as farmland At 81 4 day.
Later ne went 10 work Tor Alfred Per
tln-r VINO Keeps general store.
Knew He Was Being Robbed.
Perrine declared today that he knew
for Il long time that Belcher was rob
! btng him. but feared 70 make a public
accusation because Belcher was 50
popular Once he found q lot of his
merchandise stored at Belcher's home.
| but even then he refratned from prose-
cutting the man.
Later Belcher set up in opposition TO
errine, taking partner The partner
! taIled 10 get his share Of the profits so
a second partner, with whom BeIcher
embarked in the same line Jared even
worse. and Belcher was forced 10 flee 10
California.
Circulars Sent Out.
The police today sent out 1000 clrcu-
lars, showing q picture Of Mayor
belcher 10 the principal cities of this
country and Europe. \ fun description
| OF the much-Wantcd man accompanied
! the pictures.
People here generally are coming to
| the opinion that the absent mayor has
gone 10 Europe. That lie saved Il good
part Of his iu-gottea gains. and has de-
| parted across the water with this
money, Is now regarded as his prOba BILE
! course of action.
Action VIII probably lie taken tonight
| at the meeting or the board OF alder
men 70 depOse the mayor, ana TO offer
/ Il reward for his apprehension. It is OK
ICcted that -JdVid Young, president Of
/ the board, viii be declared acting
] mayor The board IS also expected TO
! offer reward
! He Saved $500.
| William J. Pendleton, Of Waverly, y.
/ J.. called Al the mayors office Satur-
! day. lie had not heard or read Of the
/ mayors criminal operations. ana came
1 with $500 for the mayor to invest for
/ him iii property Ia Passaic county He
/ had promised 10 call :, week earlier, but
/ old not have the cash at that time
1 eudleLOu left the Otfic- OF the mayor
CUngIatulatiug himself