Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-14

John Ward Sturgis, the former book
keeper of the National Savings and Trust
Company. who is charged with stealing
more than $1,000 from that institution. is
still at large. Detective OBrien of the
local force, who chased Sturgis to Can
ada came back to town empty handed
this morning.
Some months ago Sturgis was a witness
at the trial of a bank clerk who went
wrong. and the police believe he got his
idea of drawing on dormant accounts
from the prosecutions detailed charge in
that case. in which, incidentally. the de-
PENDANT was acquitted. :.
Has a Roll With Him.
AS Sturgis is thought to have stolen
$1,000 In lump sum not long ago, he
10 supposed to be well equipped with
funds at present. The police have learn
ed that he spent 81 200 in New York for
q hunting and fishing outfit prior to his
visit to the sportsman's club at ST Ga
briel de Brandon, Canada. Part Of this
extensive outfit is still at the club. but
Sturgis disappeared before the detective
got there.
From the club Sturgis returned to Mon
treal and at that time apparently had no
idea the police were after him. for he
registered at the Queens Hotel under his
right name.
Sturgis Just Vanished.
The police have no idea where Sturgis
went after he left the Queens Hotel. He
left no request that his mail be forward
ed. So far as Detective O'Brfen could
learn, Sturgis was neither dissipating nor
getting rid of his cash any faster than he
could help. At the club and the hotel he
gave no big tips and spent no money fool
ishly
Friends of Sturgis knew he was out of
town on his vacation. but they hadn't an
idea he was fugitive accused Of for
gerry.
Left Here August 81.
Sturgis left this city August q. and
went to New York. where he made extern
sive and expensive preparations for his
outing in the Dominion. Then he left for
st. Gabriel de Brandon, the location of
one Of the oldest hunting and fishing clubs
In Canada.
His guides he employed before he left
New York. From Montreal Sturgis made
a seventy-seven-mile railroad trip to a
small station sixteen miles from the club.
He had to drive this distance. His camp
was fifteen miles still farther on, and
over nine of these fifteen miles, impassa-
bic to horse or vehicle of any kind Detec-
tive O'Brieh tramped through the snow.
and he had no overcoat, either.
StuTgfs had time to do some hunting be-
fore he left st. Gabriel de Brandon.
Didn't Pay for Trophy.
Among the game that he killed was an
antelope. which he shipped to Montreal to
be stuffed and mounted. Later the COM
pleted product was returned to the club
as gift from Sturgis, but as he had neg
lected to pay the charges on it, the club
declined to receive 1t. 1t is thought his
failure In this respect was due to his
flight from Montreal upon learning that
the police were on his trail.
May Seek the Far East.
Copies Of the descriptive circular issued
yesterday by Maj. Sylvester have been
sent out broadcast. The police think
Sturgis may have left for the far east,
sailing from the Pacific coast. or may
have sought hiding place in some re-
mote part of the Dominion.
Recalls the Myers Case.
This is the second time In recent years
that an employe of the National Savings
and Trust Company has skipped by the
light of the moon with money that didn't
belong to him.
former employe. Myers, who got a
good deal more than Sturgis is charged
with stealing, eluded the police for sew
eral years, finally returning and giving
himself UP. He pleaded guilty in court
and is now serving two years in the