The Flyer Who Flew: How a Railway Agent’s Wine-Fueled Embezzlement Left Him Hiding in Victoria

Yesterday J. R. McGinnis, local agent of the Canadian Pacific railway, received a dated Walla Walla telegram from Mrs. J. R. Policy, about the whereabouts of J. R. Policy, ex-agent of the O. R. & N. Co. Mrs. Policy was the guest of Mrs. P. B. Johnson of Walla Walla. Mr. McGinnis made several inquiries about where to find Mr. Policy, and though he searched in all the places frequented by him, not a trace could be found. He was forced to come to the conclusion that Policy had left town to avoid the warnings of his creditors, which foot up a considerable amount. Mr. McGinnis therefore informed Mrs. Policy in a telegram that he could not find her husband, and that he felt satisfied that he had departed from Seattle.

Inquiry developed the fact that Policy was seen in Seattle Friday night at the Occidental hotel. He might have taken a boat for Port Townsend Friday night or a Victoria boat the next morning. It is thought by those familiar with Policy that he is now in Victoria for the purpose of sleeping out of the way of his creditors. For three months past Policy was the general agent for the O. R. & N. Co. Soon after his appointment he appeared in the role of a flyer with unlimited resources downtown; it is said he spent $200 for wine and other luxuries in one night's dissipation. Though he had an estimable and accomplished wife and a handsome little daughter, he became infatuated with a woman of ill-repute on Union Street. This Circe obtained such a hold on Policy that he lavished hundreds of dollars upon her. It was common for this woman to send a note to the once-on-the-wharf asking for $50 and $100, and her requests were always complied with.

When Mr. Policy's own resources gave out, he began to draw on the funds of the O. R. & N. Co., which were entrusted to his care. This peculation went on for some little time, until about two weeks ago, when Auditor Mackenzie arrived on the scene from Portland and began to overhaul Policy's cash account. It took but a few hours to discover that he had embezzled some $1,300 of the company's money. Auditor Mackenzie, wishing if possible to save the O. R. & N. Co. from loss, gave Policy the choice between making good the $1,300 he had embezzled or going via various false representations, such as that he was behind $100 to $200 and that he could pay the amount back within a week. Policy succeeded in raising the $1,300. Most of this amount was obtained from the railroad and steamboatmen in this city in sums varying from $80 to $300. The money so raised was paid over to Auditor Mackenzie, and this gave Policy a breathing spell for a day or two.

Soon the notes and promises Policy had made began to mature, and the estimate of Seattle began to grow exceedingly tropical for him. It was a sea of trouble too great for the foolish ex-agent to breast, and he ran away like a coward, rather than face it. The courtesan who was the cause of most of Policy's trouble is now in Victoria, and it is presumed the infatuated man has ere this joined her there.