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Show NEPHI SENSATION I I Ainu Haue, Bank Ca9liier, I j Arrested at Salt Lake FOR EMBEZZLING $24,470 Of the Money Entrusted to the Care of the Bank-1 ho Bank Will be Made Good Unfortunate Speculations-HiaFrienda Have Full Faith in Him. Persons wtu have been following closely the newspaper reports of the legielature now in session have not'ced the frequent announcement of the ab Bence of Councilman. Aloia Hague of Nephi. That frequent absence is today most sadly explained. lie was at 2sephi endeavoring to straighten up his books. lie was arrested last evening at Salt Lake for e ubezzlement and misappropriating mndsof the First National bank at Nephi, Juab county, of which institution institu-tion he has been the cashier for the past eight years. Police Captain Donovan Don-ovan made the arrest quietly as Hague wa3 about to enter a committee room. The blow came with crushing force to Hague, and his aeony was something fearful to behold when informed that Bank Examiner Zeph Hill of Denver had ordered Lis arrest. The Stene was most touching and such that no pen can properly describa. He thought of his wile and family and cried like a child. James Clinton and Alf Mc-Cune Mc-Cune profered to go his bondB and he was guarded ail night at the former's home. None are found who believe that Mr. Hague is guilty of any offenee that cannot be condoned by the public and the law. The order for Mr. Hague's arrest was received by United States District Attorney Judd yesterday, being contained con-tained in a telegram, which read as follows: "Nephi, Utah, Feb. 15, 1S94. United Spates District Attorney, Salt Lake city: Alma Hague, cashier of the First National banK, Nephi, Utah, h9 embezzled funds of thai bank to the amount of $24,470. He is at present pres-ent a member of the Legislature at Salt Lake. Embezzlement consists in fraudulent notes, $12,863; misappropriated misappropri-ated deposits, $11,607. Will be up tomorrow. to-morrow. Zeph T. Hill, National Lank Examiner." Hague's misfortunes began about four years ago, he every year getting deeper and deeper into the mire of debt; but continually hoping for a Change for the better in his speculations. specula-tions. For eight yeare he was the cashier of the bank, and enjoyed the full confidence of the officers and dirtc tors. Starting with a capital of but $50,000 the bank, under bis management, manage-ment, has been a wonderful business success, it earning in that time $76,000 over and above the maintenance ex penses. Some years ago he became interested in-terested in the Mt. Nebo croup of mines in his home county, and has, it is Baid, been sending good money after bad in the hope that the properties would prove to be fortune-makerB. He also engaged in the sheep industry, and in partnership with John R. Hickman, Hick-man, was credited with owning a flock of 12,000 head. For months past there have been many financial entangle ments discovered in the affairs of the bank, but prior to the convening of the legislature, Hague never experi enced any difficulty in straightening them out to the satisfaction of the president, George C. Whitmore, who is his brother-in law. When Hague went to Salt Lake Mr. Whitmore as-eumed as-eumed charged of affairs, and then Mr. Hague's troubles began in earnest. Last Thursday Hague was summoned to Nephi and to Whitmore heexplained all. On Monday last there was a special meeting of the directors, at which Mi. Hague, it is said, made a statement of just how matters stood and transferred all of his property interests, in-terests, including his home, to the bank. The directors assured him that his good name would be protected. Vice-President Erickson, a playmate in boyhood days, a etauuch friend ever since, and one of his bondsmen, then, it is said, declared that he would ad vance him $10,000 towards putting him on his feet and would be willing to eh.ire his last dollar with him if the necessity should arise. All, seemingly, were hie friends and it was with a more hopeful heart than he had possessed pos-sessed for months that Mr. Hague returned re-turned to his legislative duties Monday. Mon-day. But the law bad to be respected by the bank oQicials. as the violation of one particular eection of which would result in the charter of the bank being revoked. The comptroller of the treas-urerv treas-urerv at Washington was accordiug!y notified by telegraph that the services of a bank examiner were needed and he ordered Zeph T. Hill from Denver. He arrived Wednesday, and the sequel of his examination is the arrest of Mr. ?laeue. Mr. Hague was manager of the Nephi Savings bank. It is not known whether this institution will be affected af-fected by the wrong doing, but the books have not been posted up for months. An expert is now working on them. Mr. Hague held the esteem and confidence con-fidence of tLe people of Nepbi and Juab county to a wonderful degree, and was well and favorably known to the entire en-tire territory . This is a sad blow to I all. His family whom he loved dearly and bv whom he was almost worshipped wor-shipped must te suffering untold anguish. |
