Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-18
HE TOOK TRIP TO EUROPE
Left Town With Just $50, Not
Thousands, He Declares.
DOESN'T WANT HIS OLD JOB
Barely Knew Victim Of Operation,
Although He Received Letter
From Her Husband.

EGG HARBOR, n. j., August 1S.-Sur-
prised beyond comprehension Were the
citizens yesterday when they called at the
postoffice to get their mail to be greeted
there by former Mayor and Postmaster
William Mall. who left this city suddenly
on July q. after receiving a letter, he
says, in which the writer threatened to
shoot him.
After he had left town there were re-
ports that he had been threatened by a
hotel proprietor whose wife had died in
a Camden hospital after an operation.
Denies All Wrongdoing.
Mall at first refused to talk about his
sudden disappearance, saying he would
make a statement later. After seeing q
number of his former friends, who, it is
said, were influential in having him re-
turn here. he gave out a statement in
which he denied that he had taken $15, O0O
with him when he left.
He said:
Il had about $50 in my pockets when
left Egg HarbOr on the morning OF
July 81. All the other money that l am
alleged to have received on paper from
friends was used in the affairs of the
carriage company. 1t is true that 1 re-
ceived a threatening letter from the dead
wOmanS husband, but that had no bear
ing on my leaving the town.
Il needed rest from business cares, and
when 1 noticed. on account of poor col
lections, that / could not continue bust
ness, I left with the idea of remaining
but a few days. After my son had driven
me to Tuckerton, where l had intended
to remain for ten days, 1 conceived the
thought to take the opportunity to visit
my mother at Berne, Switzerland.
Went to Europe, He Says.
Il took train for New York and there
took a liner for Europe. My mother as
sisted me financially and 1 decided to
return, thinking to meet the pressing obi
cation of the firm, only to find that the
concern had been put up in bankruptcy
arrived at New York on Saturday and
came here late last night. Today l paid
all my personal obligations, and 1 shall
remain here until everything against me
Is clear
''Will you claim the Office of mayor?'
was then asked him.
az am still legally mayor of Egg Har-
Dor and was irregularly removed from
Office" he said.
II will not claim it, however, and will
be only too glad to get a rest. AS to the
office of postmaster. l have been urged
by several of my friends. who have not
lost confidence in me, to retain it and
my former bondsmen have expressed a
willingness to stand good for me and are
urging me to accept 1t.
Representative Gardner. I understand
is perfectly satisfied that l shall continue
the office declared vacant through my
absence. l have not decided as to what
shall do. Several men have offered me
their checks for 81. 900 each, which / re-
fused, as I am not in need of funds at
the present time. The creditors of the car
riage company will receive dollar for dol
lar and no one will lose a cent
Denies Charges Concerning Woman.
When questioned about the reports OF
his friendship for the dead woman, he
said:
THE rumors are groundless and I'M
true. I have met the woman in question
but one time, and that at Atlantic City,
where she had gone shopping. 1 had
nothing to do with that woman at ALL and
can clear myself Of that charge, should
1t ever be pressed. 1t is not worth the
time to discuss 1t.
II made big mistake in leaving as l
did and only realized II after it was too
late. l shall not remain in this city, but
expect to begin lfe anew elsewhere. l
have lost ell 1 possessed. and that after
fourteen years of hard work."
Mrs. Mall was pleased to see her hus-
band back again and says she Is only re-
sponsible for his leaving. as he did SO at
her request. The community is still too
to know how to take the ex-
mayors return here He admitted that
his friends, who are members of secret
orders of which he was a member, were
instrumental in his return here.