The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-25
MADE EMbEzzlER
5 BY ROULETTE AND
THE PONIES
DAYTON. O., MAN. ARRESTED
HERE, FREELY TELLS STORY
or DOWNFALL BY GAMBLING
RouTE-MADE 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. al No, ls7
Milwaukee-ave. east. where he mac
been living with his wife since com
ing TO Detroit. shortly before Christ
mas. He was taken into custody on d
warrant secured In Dayton, Friday, by
the Jewell 4 Vinson Paint Co, OF that
city, In whose Office he was formerly
employed as bookkeeper and cashier
Baker blames gambling for his down
fail, but, while he confesses TO rob
bling the firm, the latters decision 20
prosecute him comes as big sur
prise, as he was promised immunity.
he says, II 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. Il be-
gan playing the races on small scale
and lost. In an effort TO recoup, | be-
gan taking money from the firm, small
sums al first and then I'm larger
amounts. II was the old story OF send
ing good money after bad, and | got
deeper than ever II was easy for
NE 10 steal, inaSmuch as ! was both
bookkeeDer and cashier, and ! cover
ed up what took by means OF false
entries.
las time went on | got In deeper
and deeper. Occasionally ! made a
killing, and would be deceived INTO
thinking that luck had come my way
at last. On this theory | would plung
again, only 10 lose all won before and
lot more with II. 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 81 200 year. but
that was all swallowed up along with
the money took from the frm.
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 and | will have
TO part company He said he had
looked over my books and could find
nothing wrong, and he was himself an
expert 1CGDuUNdnl. hHSN, uOMtNti,
that after | left the losses would be
discovered, SO | decided TO make a
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
ey. IL totaled up about $4,000 Then
made restitution as far as | was able
by assigning TO the firm a half interes.
| owned in & house and lot. ! also
gave a bill OF sale OF all my household
goods. which | understand have since
been bought back by my relatives.
Under these circumstances cant
understand why they should have me
arrested now, and think | will be
able to have the case dismissed when
these facts are brought out The firm.
! understand, Is now suing the book
makers and others with whom | dealt
10 recover the money ! lost"
After leaving the firms employ
Baker came TO Detroit with his wife
10 look for work, determined To turn
over new leaf. He had not succeed
ed In finding employment as yet.
Among his effects when he was
searched 1T police headquarters. three
rawn tickets were found He had $l3
in cash in his pockets. Immediately
after his arrest, Saturday morning,
Baker called up the prosecuting attor-
ney I'm Dayton by long.distance tele.
phone. paying 1896 for fve-minute
talk.
Baker says Dayton youth killed
himself recently after losing large
sums OF money in 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 rs TO what he knew
Of the place.