The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-01
MAYOR OF PATERSON SUFFERED
 MANY HARDsHTPs.
Tn st. Paul, He Worked As Day Labor CT For Railroad, Digging Dit ches and Later sold
 PaperM.

New York, July Si.--Paterson offi- cials were mercifuiIy disposed yester- day toward Former Mayor William H. Belcher. who, returning after months of wandering. pulled the massive brass announcer on the door of the county jail early yesterday and said to the tailor:
 "You know me Morrison: I want to come in"
 He will be arrnigned on Friday, next. to answer to six indictments for etn- bezzlement. In the papers. the amounts are not declared.
 Sobbing fin his cell last night, Bel cher. according to today's Herald said
 T did not take Slo0,0oo, or anything like that amount. When I left Patsr- son. I had exactly $500. With this ! went to Minnesota, and in justice 10 my wife I want 10 say that at no time has she known my whereabouts. It was my intention to disappear as if was dead and go to seme foreign coun- try but I made the fatal mistake Of procrasfination.
 "If had had more money, I would have gone to New York and stayed there. That is the best hiding place ia the world But man can't work thfrs and htde too. and had to work: sn wentawests
 T dropped or in Chicago. but | re- nained only a week. It was excif- ing to walk around the streets and pass by policemen who you knew were on the lookout for you. I had my mustache shaved off and did nos fear capture much.
 Then made fatal mistake went to Minnesota. I won't say what towns I visited. except that St. Paul IA T fingered around looking for something to do. I lost my wallet one night in the street. I was afraid to go to the police. and there was 2000 miles away from friends. from everybody. penni- less and fugitive. went to q raii- road office and asked for work: they could not give me any. I was desper- ate and pleaded for anything.
 "'we can give you q job digging. said the man to whom I applied. ! jumped at 1t That morning I took my place in a trench with a pick and shovel and for three horrible weeks [ stayed there received SIPS day. Then they made me assistant foreman: my pay was raised to $2.B0 a day and things looked brighter.
 T stayed there until last January working all the winter in the snow and rain until rheumatism seized me managed to save S150 and with it went to London, Canada l worked at anything I could get. but my lame knee was against me. and could not hold any position very long. At one time I sold newspapers. but alwaya kept enough money saved so that could get back east if I wanted to.
 Tt was not until June came that made up my mind to return. My knee was getting worse and worse. and I could hardly hobble around. could not pay for proper medical treat ment and so I made up my mind to come back.
 T landed In New York on July 90. and the next day wrote Prosecutor Emley I told him I was ready to sur- render and I would return of my own volitlon."
 ''will you plead guilty when you are arraigned on Friday7" he was ask ed
 What are the specific charges9' was the reply
 "Is 1t theft. or what is itY.
 "Embezzlement and forgery7" he was told.
 "Forgery?" exclaimed Belchsr q never committed forgery. That's a lie. I'll not plead guilty to that"
 Tt was said that your over con- fidence in friends was primarily the cause of the trouble.@ it was suggest ed
 Friends, friends" BeIcher muttered. as if to himself. T have no friends, I never had any"