Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-16
POLICE THINK
ABSCONDER IS
IN THIS CITY
Reward Offered, Alive
or Dead
Accused Of Taking a Half Million from
Connecticut Bank In Series Of
Peoulstlons Extending
Through Years

William +. Walker, former treasurer
OF the Savings Bank of New Britain,
Conn.,, who is said to have absconded
with about half a million dollars be-
longing to that institution, early in
February, is in Los Angeles, according
to information received by the police
and private detective agencies who are
on the lookout for the man.
Five thousand dollars reward has
been offered by the directors of the
bank for the apprehension and surren-
der of Walker to the chief of police Of
the eastern city, while $1,000 reward
has been offered for his body, if iden-
titled.
The disappearance of Walker and the
announcement that he had taken a
large sum of the banks money created
Juror in financial circles in all Sec
tions of the country. For more than
forty years prominently connected with
financial institutions, and we'll and
favorably known in church, literary
and musical societies, thousands of his
friends in all parts of the country at
first refused to believe that the man
had been guilty of any wrong doing
and must either have been made away
with or been the victim of circum-
stances.
Accused of Juggling Accounts
Members of private detective agen-
cies were at once placed on the trail
of the missing bank officer, while ex-
pert accountants were set to work
auditing his books. Soon the announce
ment was made that for years Walker
had been carrying on systematic
series of peculations and that large
sums of money had frequently passed
from the bank into his hands by means
of forged notes and juggled accounts.
1t was said he had left the city carry
ing with him ample funds for support
in luxury during the remainder of his
life, and the detectives redoubled their
efforts to capture and bring to justice
the man who had betrayed friends,
wife and employers.
Knowing that they had a man far
above the average in intelligence and
shrewdness to deal with, only the most
experienced operators were placed on
the case, but all their efforts came to
naught, and two weeks after Walker
left New Britain it was decided to
offer a reward for his apprehension.
Since that time hundreds of detectives
have hunted for him. The man has
been reported to have been seen in
Seattle, Wash, and in London, Eng
land. on the same day but although
an clews have been carefully run down,
they led to nothing.
Seen in Fresno
A week ago Walker was reported to
have been seen in Fresno, and officers
of the American Bankers association
were sent to that city There these
detectives are reported to have gained
the first real clew to the missing
banker. 1t is claimed these detectives
learned that Walker had been seen
there by a friend, who had formerly
been we'll acquainted with him in the
east, but he had been seen taking a
train several hours before the de-
tectives arrived
All trace of Walker was lost at that
time, but officers in all nearby towns
were notified to watch for him. The
detectives continued to work on the
case, but gained no further clew to the
man until yesterday, when Walker was
seen on a downtown street near one
of the principal hotels. The man is
said to have been well dressed, but
to have been minus the thick grey
beard he formerly wore. At the time
he was chatting with a man who ap-
peared to be a commercial traveller
and was evidently in the best of spirits
Detectives were notified, and feeling
confident they were on hot scent
passed all last night searching the
city for the much wanted man.
Walker was superintendent of a
Sunday school in New Britain, and
for years was prominently connected
with church work there. In circular
sent out soon after his disappearance
he is described as being 81 years of
age, feet inches in height, weight
lax mounds sallOw COMPLEXION graV
hair, blue eyes and slightly stoop
shouldered When he disappeared
Walker wore a gray beard, trimmed
Van Dyke style, but this he shaved on
soon after leaving New Britain.
The missing banker is said to have
been extremely fond of the society Of
women. and, according to the de-
tectives, this is the fact which will in
all probability lead to his arrest.