Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-21
DIPPED BY SW|NDLERS
DefauIter Walker Says He Was
Not Benefited.
VICTIM OF WIRE TAPPERS
Fugitive Sends Letter to Connecticut
Bank.
MAKES A FULL CONFESSION
Suggests Falsifying Books to Avert
Panic Among Depositors-over-
- come by Shame.
MAKES A FULL CONFESSION

With the disappearance of William F.
Walker, treasurer of the Savings Bank Of
New Britain, who is short more than $780,,
Geo, great mystery as ever, the direc-
tors of the Connecticut institution yester
day made public a most remarkable letter
which the fugitive sent from New York to
President Philip Corbin of the bank on
February IL.
The letter, written on the stationery of
the Cumberland Hotel Broadway and 56th
street, from which Walker disappeared
after shaving his heavy beard, follows:
Some time ago it was stated to me by a
representative of one Of the bond houses
| that 1 have long traded with that there
had been a wrongful issue of certain bonds,
an over issue of certain others that we had
purchased and some of which we had held
for a long time. He also represented that
similar bonds were held by other banks
in the state, and that only a presentation
of the bonds at the fiscal agencies would
determine whether they were good or not.
I was completely astounded at such state
ment and commenced at once to inveStl-
gate it.
II took them down to New York for that
purpose. / was met by the gentleman who
had long been with the house and taken to
a room at their offices, where it was
stated that the whole business could be
done through them, and l was given a
ceipt for the bonds Later l told that
the bonds We're all right. and if l would
send in receipt or bring it L could get
the bonds back.
Il Am Nearly Frantic"
II went to New York for that purpose,
but was put off with the statement that all
was not ready, and was told to come later
Very recently 1 discovered that the repre-
sentative is and was no longer with the
house referred to, and l was at once sus-
Of soho
was being attempted The amount involved
is very large, and the matter has so upset
me that l am nearly frantic.
81 came down this time for medical treat
ment, but also determined to have the mat
ter settled up, but l have not yet gotten
satisfaction, and l am more and more con-
WINGED that l have been the victim of
sWindler and have been outrageouSly rob-
bed. My head is SO wild that l cannot tell
you what the bonds were; there We're the
Omaha Is, a large amount of them; some
Pacific Westerns and few of one or two
other issues held as an investment and
few held as collateral.
Il am writing you this now because I
have arranged to meet the parties for
final adjustment on Saturday afternoon. l
am more than apprehensive that desperate
game will be played and the experience may
cost me my life as we'll as the terrible loss
1 have mentioned / shall resort to desper-
ate measures and do not know the result. I
have kept the matter to myself, which was
mistake at the outset because l have
believed 1t must come out all right and 1
was determined not to put the anxiety and
trouble upon any one else.
Thirty Years Labor Undone.
"You may not believe 1t, but my greatest
grief If this does not result all right will be
that the burden must come upon you so
largely whom l have So highly esteemed.
You cannot imagine what this means tome.
For thirty years l have labored for this
bank, working day and thinking by night
what could be done to | uild 1t up and make
1t strong institution. / have been many
times told that 1t was regarded as one Of
the best in the state.
II am almost dead with the anxiety and
shame of this matter. To think that all
this loss. if it does come. should come after
SO many years of success, Is more than !
can bear, and l am terribly anxious about
the result to the bank. l have been think
ing this over day and night, for have slept
but little for weeks, fearing the result.
1T seems to me that some way must be
arranged not to let this loss become public.
1t would certainly re -ult in disastrous
run that would be a great injury to the
bank.
Suggests False Entries
81 have tried to think it all out what
could be done in case of need. and it seems
to me the only way would be to put back
premiums on bonds and other things that
we havve charged on-you can imagine
with what pride have done it-making up
the book values enough to cover until they
can be put back again from the earnings.
whisper of such loss would be disas-
trous. and If the employees and directors,
who must know. could be induced to remain
silent / am sure it would be vastly better
for the bank. l do not mention this for my
own sake; If 1t proves that l have made
such a mistake 1 am deserving of the Sc
verest condemnation. whatever my services
may have been worth in the past.
II am writing this letter and leaving it
where it will be mailed in case anything
happens to me. / am oppressed with a
great apprehension of trouble. / fear des-
perate.means may be resorted to If my sus-
picions are correct. and yet l feel that /
cannot do otherwise than to go also as /
have done.
Il don't know as you can read this-if it
ever comes to you to read. i am so nearly
crazed that l can neither think right nor
write intelligently. | still hope for the best
that my interview will result better than l
fear. and that this letter will never have
to be read by you: but l feel that l must
write it in case anything does happen to
me. God only knows what this means to
me If it does not come out all right"
An Old Game.
1t was last October that banker, whom
the police now believe to have been Walker,
lost between 500, coo and 100000 in a noto-
rious old gambling house in West 9th street
on the old overlapping swindle. John Gan
dois who comes originally from Pittsburg,
and who is known as a most skillful pro-
moter of overlapping schemes all over the
west, had the place at the time.
Walker, it is said was introduced to the
gang by wel-known gambler, who was
once known as King of Hoboken'' in pool
room circles. The old banker was known
to have lost heavily in Wall street and to
be anxious to recoup. He was taken up to
an office in the Western Union building and
introduced to an alleged superintendent.
They told him the old story of holding back
the racing news until sure thing bets
could be placed. After fleeing him the
wire-tappers scattered.
A Connecticut grand jury probably will
indict Walker on several counts within
day or two The detectives at work on the
case declare they are still without a clue
as to Walkers whereabouts. Some believe
he is still hiding In New York city. Detec-
tives carefully scanned the faces of passen-
gers who left port on outgoing steamers
yesterday.