The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-23
MADE EMBEzzLER.
BY ROULETTE AND
THE PONIES
DAYTON, o., MAN, ARRESTED
HERE, FREELY TELLS STORY
OF DOWNFALL BY GAMBLING
RouTE-MApE RESTITUTION.

A confessed embezzler to the extent
OF $4,000 and upwards, Russell l. Bak-
er. 29 years old, late OF Dayton. o.,
was arrested by Detectives Fenton and
Baker. Saturday morning. at No. 1877
Milwaukee-ave. east, where he had
been living with his wife since COM
ing to Detroit. shortly before Christ
mas. He was taken into custody on a
warrant secured in Dayton, Friday, by
the Jewell & vinson Paint Co., Of that
city, In whose office he was formerly
employed as bookkeeper and cashier.
An officer is now on his way from the
Ohio town TO take, him back.
Baker blames gambling for his down
fall, but, while he confesses to rob-
bling the firm. the latter's decision to
prosecute him comes as q big sur
prise, as he was promised immunity.
he says. IL he would tell all and
make restitution. This he claims to
have done before leaving Dayton.
MY populations began three years
ago. related Baker with uncommon
frankness. Saturday morning. II be-
gan playing the races on q small scale
and lost. In an effort to recoup. be-
gan taking money from the Arm, small
sums at first and then in larger
amounts. II was the old story OF send
ing good money after bad, and I got
deeper than ever. II was easy for
me TO steal, inasmuch as | was both
bookkeeper and cashier. and l cover.
ed up what took by means OF false
entries.
AS time went on | got In deeper
and deeper Occasionally I made a
killing, and I would be deceived into
thinking that luck had come my way
at last. On this theory l would plunge
again, only to lose all won before and
u lot more with 1t. My gambling was
not confined TO the handbooks. |
tried my hand at faro, stud poker and
roulette in the Dayton gambling
houses, but with no better success.
received a salary OF $1,000 year. but
that was all swallowed up along with
the money took from the firm.
THE end came last December. One
day the president OF the concern.
Horace Irwin. came To me and said.
Baker. have-learned OF your gamb-
ling. and guess you urd I will have
TO part company. He said he had
looked over my books and could find
expert accountant. | knew, however.
that after | left the losses would be
discovered, SO | decided to make q
clean breast OF the whole matter on
condition that the firm would not
prosecute. To this Mr.. Irwin agreed.
provided that my figures as to the
amounts due should prove correct.
met Mr.. Irwin In the Office that night.
by appointment, and gave him detail
ed statement OF the amounts had en-
bezzled with dates and the names OF
the places where had spent the mon
ely. II totaled up about $1,000. Then I
made restitution as far as was able
by assigning to the firm half interest
owned In q house and lot. ! also
gave bill OF sale OF all my household
goods, which | understand have since
been bought back by my relatives.
Under these circumstances / can't
understand why they should have me
arrested now, and l think ! will be
able to have the case dismissed when
these facts are brought out. The frm.
| understand, Is now suing the book
makers and others with whom dealt
to recover the money lost"
After leaving the firms employ
Baker came to Detroit with his wife
to look for work, determined to turn
over a new leaf. He had not succeed
ed In finding employment as yet.
Among his effects when he was
searched at police headquarters, three
pawn tickets were found. He had $13
In cash In his pockets. Immediately
after his arrest. Saturday morning,
Baker called up the prosecuting attor-
ney in Dayton by long-distance tele-
phone, paying 1906 for ive-minute
talk.
Baker says a Dayton youth killed
himself recently after losing large
sums OF money In a notorious Dayton
gambling den, one OF those he patron
lied. by the way. The family OF the
deceased is now suing the proprietor
and an attorney from that city called
on Baker only Friday TO get state
ment from him as to what he knew
of the place.