The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-23
MR.. LEFEBVRE IS
PUT UNDER ARREST
PROMINENT YOUNG MAN is UNDER
CHARGE OF EMBEzzLrNG EN-,
PLoyER,s FUNDS.
SAYS HE'S INNOCENT
MAINTAINS THERE Is NO SHORT
AGE AND SAYS HIS EMPLOYER
KNEW HE Is NO BOOK
KEEPER.

W. Powers Lefebvre. thirty-four
years old, was arrested shortly be-
fore o'clock yesterday afternoon on
charge of embezzling money from
the Chemi Company Auto Supplies,
629 East Main street. Il. r. Benton.
head Of the Arm. swearing to the
warrant charging the young man with
stealing sS6 from the company. On
Thursday suit for $4,000 was entered
by Benton in the City Circuit court
against Lefebvre, notice of the suit
being served on the accused on FRI
day.
Lefebvre was arrested oy Detective
Sergeants Wiley and Kellam just as
he had passed his home, 11l3 Floyd
avenue. With them. was a private de-
tective. Lefebvre hesitated after
passing his own doorway, turned and
gazed at the detectives and then
awaited their approach. He exhibited
some nervousness when the warrant
was read to him. but denied his guilt.
He was taken to the Second Police
station. Commemorative Attorney
Folkes was consulted by the detec-
tives, who stated that they had rea-
son to believe that other alleged dis
crepancies in Lefebvre's books might
be discovered.
Prominent In Blues.
Lefebvre is a prominent member
OF the Richmond Blues. being now
sergeant of B Company, which he
helped to organize, resigning from the
original company to do so. He Is
popular with the Blues. and has ac-
companied the battalion on most OF
Its encampments and trips He is
also we'll known socially, and the
news of his arrest came as great
surprise.
Lefebvre has been employed by Mr..
Benton for seven or eight months.
On February 1st ne was discharged.
because. he states, Mr.. Benton wanted
more exper. bookkeeper.
Mr.. Benton was seen in his store,
but refused to discuss the matter in
any way whatever. He said that he
did not wish to 1eopardize his former
bookkeeper and treasurer
Lefebvre declared that he could not
account for any shortage in his &C
counts. X any shortage had been dis
covered. and said that he was not an
expert bookkeeper, and had so stated
employ. He denied absolutely that
he had been guilty of any wrong
doing. saying that he was not good
at trial balancing. He described Mr..
Benton as being erratie, and declared
that Mr.. Benton had stated in his
presence that he did not believe that
any man was honest until 1t had been
proven to him.
Suit Also Entered.
When served with notice of the suit
that had been entered against him.
Lefebvre employed Attorney Lewis
Williams to represent him.
Lefebrve has two sisters, and a
| brother, who is living In New york.
| The parents are not living. The ex-
| penses of keeping the family are di-
| vided among all.
When the detectives went to Lefe-
| bvre's home they were met at the door
by one of his sisters, who said that her
brother was at dinner. She refused to
tell where he took his meals, and the
detectives departed to stand on the OPP
posite corner, where they could not
be seen. Miss Lefebvre came out soon
afterwards, and was followed to 1919
West Main street, Just as she en-
tered the house Lefebvre came out.
and the officers followed him until
they were sure that they had the right
man.
Mr.. Benton Changed Name.
Mr.. Benton has an interesting and
| peculiar history He escaped from a
| sanatarium in New York several years
| ago, and made his way to Richmond
Here he changed his name Ito Ben
! ton) and with such funds as he had
| entered into the chemical supply
| business In a small way. The business
| prospered. and he soon lived in COM
| Portable circumstances. and then mar
| ried.
Benton's real name became known
when his property was finally turned
over TO him. He had no desire. how
ever, TO resume his original name. In
| explaining his confinement In a sana-
| tarium, Benton stated that he was sent
| there as the result of prolonged de-
| bauch, from the effects of which he
! coon recovered.
| Lefebvre was hailed after about
| three hours I'm the station in the sum
| of $500. Attorney Lewis Williams act
| ing as bondsman. Judge Richardson.
| of the Hastings court, delegated
Squire Purdie to act in the matter.
| castro GAu c For