Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-19
Harold E. Lawrence, Assis-
tant Postmaster, Fairfield,
Arraigned, Saturday, for Embez-
J z|ing Postal Savings Funds.
Falls 10 Secure Bonds and Is Com.
u mitted to Kennebec Jail.

Fairfield, Me-, May 1S.-(SpeciaD. =
Charged with the embezzlement of $500
from the postal savings fund depart
lnent of the United States post office
IN this town, Harry E. Lawrence, aged
2S, employed as assistant postmaster
was arrested, Saturday, by United
Portlf nd end taken to the county Jail
at Augusta for safe keeping. Post Of
flee Inspector James Casey of Auburn
came TO the Fairfield Office about 10
weeks ago to make the usual inspec-
tor of the books and in doing So
found that 5000 was short in the say
lngs fund department. At the time no
member of the post Office crew knew
anything of the shortage. The books
We're supposed to have been in the best
OF condition. but Investigations by the
authorities and a confession by Law
renee brought the ease to head,
Thursday noon, when Lawrence. aft
er being cornered by Inspector Casey
ana Postmaster c. X. Purinton, owned
up that he had taken the money in
small let's.
When the first auditing of the books
revealed the shortage, the accounts of
the savings fund department, of which
POSTMASTER Head and his assist
ant, Lawrence, had sole charge were
sent TO Washington for inspection and
with undaunted nerve Lawrence has
been continuing his embezzling since.
He has been employed in the office for
about a year and has been making
- n inns no cfa I1-f-
yious to working here he had been en-
plcyed IS a conductor on the Elevated
Railroad In Boston. and served a short
sentence for financial difficulties in
which he was placed while working in
that capacity. He returned to this XII
cinity and worked on II boom in Shaw
NUT, and was again accused of appro-
priating another,s money to the extent
of $50. hut the charge vas not pressed.
Later he worked for the Keyes Fiber
Co. IN this town. but was considered
honest and straightforward by his en-
ployers in that instance.
In conversation with a Journal re-
porter, Saturday afternoon. Postmas-
ter Purinton said I'VE had no knowl-
edge that there was shortage until 10
weeks ago when Post Office Inspector
Casey of Auburn informed us, after
making a survey of our books, that We
were 5000 short in the saving fund de-
partment. The money received from
the savings fund depositors, was in
excess of $40 was supposedly deposited
by Lawrence in the Fairfield Savings
Bank. each day, in the name of the
postmaster From time to time / would
ask him: Harry, how are your books?
and ne would always reply that ev-
erythirg was o. K. AS it requires
great deal of time to go over the hooks
they are seldom audited except by the
inspector. Then, too. his reports were
arunrently all correct. The money
willie in the Office was kept in a small
box. 20 which he and alone had the
!, keys We have all been anxious about
the shortage, and Lawrence has been
putting 1t on us since the inspector
came I4haye spoken pleasantly to him
and SC has Mr.. Casey, but with ire
mendous nerve he has taken s4oo
since The inspector has been here sew
eral times since his first inspection,
and on his last visit, "Wednesday. work
ed with Lawrence all sthes following
morning, but the latter claimed Ito
knowledge of the theft until about II
o'clock. when the irispettbr saitfet Laws
~
do with that check?' He at once admit
ted his guilt, and said he would try
and pay it back, but as he could not
secure the necessary bonds he was TAX
en- in hand, Saturday noon, by Deputy
Marshal Smith"
When asked how Lawrence had
managed to take the money without
detection, Postmaster Purinton said
that in selling the postal savings
checks the former had made no rec
ord OF it and had kept the money, be-
sides falling to make the deposits in
the bank. In response to question
concerning the magnitude of the postal
savings business during the past quar-
ter. Mr.. ,Purnton said it had not beer
large. but a year ago there was consid-
erablc business in that department.
e.,:Iawrenee claims to have used the
money paying bills for his wife ane
child. but it is reported that he is ar
habitual gambler and spent the great
e~ uart of his time away from wori
over pool and poker tables, and 1t i
sunrosed that the stolen money wa!
lost in this way. His salary was bu
$500 a year and was insufficient t
keep himself and family in the con
a;flon in which he lived at the time 0
his arrest. He showed wonderful merry
throughout the ordeal and even whel
accused was calm and collected. HI
parents are also living in Fairheie
where he was born, attended the eoll
mon schools and was graduated froi
the High school.
HELD IN $1,000.
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