The San Francisco call., 1906-12-23
Love Letters Bctray Auditor Who
Is Accused Of Theft Of $4,000
Caught in Obscure
Railroad Camp
In Alameda


through letters found in the pos
session Of his young and pretty
bride, Frederick S. Taylor, for
merly an auditor for the Illinois
Steel Company, South Chicago.
charged with embezzlement of
$31, 900 from his late employers,
was arrested yesterday in an OBJ
scure railroad construction camp
in the hills of Alameda County.
Taylor was brought to this city
by Detective Charles O'Donnell
of Chicago and Detective E. Glib
son of the San Francisco depart
ment, who effected the capture,
to await extradition. Chicago ad-
vices are to the effect that Taylor
secured a leave of absence, saying
he wished to go to Chicago Heights
to get married
A few days later shortage OF
s31. 600. which had been covered up by
forged checks, was disclosed Suspicion
at once attached to the missing auditor
and warrant charging him with
grand larceny and forgery was placed
in ODonnelPs hands. It was discov-
cred that Taylor had gone to Cali
fornfa.
Tn Gan Erapcisco tba claws 5fsan
peared. and the local department was
appealed to to help capture the fugi-
tive Detective Gibson found the bride
OF three weeks employed in the store
of Taft & Pennoyer In Oakland. and
she was promptly arrested. A search
of her person disclosed letters reveal
ing the whereabouts of the missing
bridegroom. who was employed as
tfmekeeper in the railroad construction
camp of the E. B. & A L. Stone Com
pany.
When questioned by the detectives
Taylor denied that he had embezzled
$4,000 from the company. In Oak
land yesterday be admitted taking $3.50.
When seen at the police station last
night Taylor said:
II am 81 years old The story that
I was married recently is untrue.
have been married three years Ny
wife has been a sufferer from bron-
chitis and had long wanted to come
to California About tive months ago
went into the auditing department OF
the Illinois Steel Company at a salary
Of
countant. Three months ago I went
before the directors of the company
and told them that under their system
of accounting any expert could rob
them with impunity. I went second
time because with sick wife want
ing to go to her sister and health in
California I was sorely tempted.
temptation out of my way Finally
decided to take just enough to pay
our expenses out here and after earn
ing that amount to return 1t to the
company with a letter showing what
had done under their faulty system
did cover up the shortage by the
forgery of single check I took but
$3.50. and they know perfectly well that
Is all I carried away. I have no desire
to fight extradition; in fact. I am quite
ready to return without the formality
Of extradition. I will work and make
my defalcation good
After the arrest of Mrs Taylor she
was detained in cell at the City Pris-
on all Friday night and until late yes
terday afternoon, when she was re-
leased without explanation
She claimed last night that her feel
ings and her rights had been trampled
on by the Oakland police and that she
would invoke the aid of the law in a
move to have the police punished for
their wrongdoing toward her She said-
Even If my husband were guilty of
the charge against him that would
not give the police the right to i'm
prison me without excuse or warrant.
and if there should be any way in
which I could bring them to account
they will have cause to regret their
actions toward me- The char that
my husband stole any such amount as
they claim is absurd, for if he had
that amount of money would have
discovered it. even if he had not told
me-
when my husband was brought to
Oakland today he told me in the pres
ence of the detectives that he had
taken only $3.50 which did not belong
to him. Why should he acknowledge
the theft OF that much and deny the
rest il he were guilty as they say?
And If he took $1,000 1t seems strange
he would not take more If he simply
wanted to rob the firm. for all the time
he was in the Office he had access to
as much as $3.50. 0.0OO.H
According to Mrs Taylor. her hus-
band had frequently suggested their re-
moval to California. and finally she
consented. He resigned Failing tn
find employment in San Francisco, he
went to Oakland and accepted the OBJ
scure timekeeper's billet. while Mrs.
Taylor found employment with Taft &
Pennoyer and took up her residence in
West Oakland Strangely enough. Tay-
lor made no attempt to conceal his
identity by changing his name. and in
the short time he had been with the
construction company had by his close
application and marked ability made =