New-York tribune., 1909-03-25
FUGITIVE A SUICIDE
Richardson, alleged Embea2ter OF
$500 900, BaIks the Lac.

q.
room in the Hotel Lynch. from which there was no
escape, F. H. Richardson of Elmira, y. Y. wanted
the alleged embezzlement of 100000 in that
city. shot and killed himself about o'clock to-day
Richardson was time of the most IN
fuential men in Elmra
He was in his room when the police chief Of
Harrisburg knocked on the door. Richardson
looked out. Before the chief had a chance to make
a the fugitive slammed the door and bolted it.
An instant later the pistol shot was heard. The
door was broken oDen and Richardson was found
lying dead on the floor His valise, lying by,
was broken open. and in it found a letter
written on the hotel paper. 1t read My name is
F H Richardson Elmira, n. Y. Call H. H. Rock
we'll, of EImira. y. y
H. H Rockwell is the Of Richardson's
uncle. a prominent attorney of Elmira. who
also Richardson's adviser The note showed that
the suicide had been premeditated.
1t was learned this afternoon. that Richardson,
while impressing upon every one in the hotel the
necessity for keeping facts about him secret, had
been drinking. When the proprietor of the hotel
asked him about his suspicious actions he declared
that he a witness in a divorce suit. Richard
son received a telephone call from Emira this
morning. but the police have been able to
certain from whom it came. He asked the hotel
people to keep it quiet and promised reward If
his whereabouts could be kept hidden.
The police trying to ascertain the identity of
a woman living in Iowa, whom Richardson sent
a money order for $o6 last night That it ali
the money he had shown by the fact that
when his effects searched only few pennies
in a pocketbook were found. Richardson had
enough laudanum with him TO kill man.
Elmira, y. Y. March 24-Frederic H. Richard
sons local attorney, H. H. Rockwell. in tele
phonic communication with him three times yes
terday. The last time MIR. Rockwell informed
Richardson that he had been unable to get bail for
him in Elmra and the fugitive intimated his in
tention to take his life rather than this
city This morning Mr.. Rockwell received letter
from Richardson which read follows:
Rockwell Thank you You will fnd what is
left Of at this hotel and the of my baggage
is at No 134 Bush street under the name Of
Reynolds"
Immediately upon receipt Of the letter Rockwell
called Richardson by telephone in Harrisburg but
was unable to reach him. Later Richardson called
up RockweIiS office. when the latter cautioned him
not to act rashly but to return 10 Emira and face
his accusers. Richardson refused and again init
mated his intention of ending all his earthly
bles. In answer TO Rockw els inquiry. Richardson
said that there were no further favors he wished
to ask.
The body will be brought to Elmira to-day end
the burial will be in the family vault at Woodlawn
Cemetery.
The troubles of F H. Richardson began year
ago. when the Richardson Shoe COMPANY OF
Elmra, of which h. president and almost sole
owner. declared iRsolvent The Chemung
Canal Trust Company. also Of Emira was made
receiver. Richardson. when asked to make an ac-
counting. disappeared.
At that two expert accountants we're put at
work on the books OF the Richardson company. II
was found that the missing owed more than
$4,000 IN bills payable. He had credit of S25Ooo)
false statements in PENNSYLVANIA banks In
this way Richardson had obtained from the Rich
ard Young Company. Of New York. $500 worth Of
leather. and this transaction a grand larceny
charge was based Eight warrants we're sworn out
for his arrest.
The laid before District Attorney
Jerome in this city, ny the New York credit Mems
Association Mr.. Jerome's investigation showed
that Richardson had also borrowed money from
many banks in New York Boston. Chicago and
other cities. and from big shoe companies and
other concerns
Richardson was arrested in Chicago month ago.
but was released under 500 pending hearing on
ha beas corpus proceedings This hearing was set
for March 1e but vas continued until Tuesday, on
Richardson's promise submit himself TO the
authorities OF Elrnira by March q. When the case
was again called Tuesday the defendants bonds |
were declared forfeited because his arrival al
Elrira had not been reported. as previously sup
ulsted Richardson's local counsel Informed the |
Court that his client had been detained on business
but had started for his former home In Elmira |
on Monday night
The Richardson company. which r n fNcHalH
son ineorporated in 1913 had been I'm existence since
1872 and had fourished till the death Of his fsthe
. dozen wears ago. From then on it began to Dor !
money.