This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: sgs14 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.washington.counties.king/3759.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Alona, thought you might be interested in this story. The Seattle Times Friday, August 31, 1934 Auditor Is Questioned On $10,000 Shortage Detective Captain and Deputy Prosecutor Seek Full Story of Transactions; Victims' Condition Serious James E. Davies, who attacked his family with a hammer in their West Seattle home yesterday, was being questioned in the city jail today by Deputy Prosecutor Emmett G. Lenihan and Detective Captain Ernest W. Yoris about the $10,000 shortage which Davies admitted in his accounts at the First National Bank. Davies was discharged as Assistant Auditor of the bank Saturday, after bank officials said they discovered the shortages, dating back ten years. Three Still in Hospital Davies' three victims were reported still in serious condition at Providence Hospital. The victims are Davies' daughter, Margaret Mary, 22 years old, who suffered a critical skull fracture and broken arm; his wife, Kathleen, 52, whose skull was fractured and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Agnes Reedy, who suffered shock and lacerations. Bank officials said the loss was covered by insurance. Lenihan said he planned to question Davies about details of the method used in the embezzlements, but no result of the questioning was announced. Davies was jailed without charge after his arrest yesterday morning at his home, 3770 Grayson Street. Family Knew of Shortage Davies had told his wife and daughter about his bank shortages and they had promised to stand by him, even if it meant losing their home, Davies said yesterday. He said he and his family had "lived high," but said he did not blame them "because they did not know what salary I was getting.' The thought that he could not bear to have his daughter "face the public with her father a prisoner in the penitentiary" drove Davies to attack her and the others, he said. Davies attempted to strangle himself to death with a pajama cord an hour after being jailed. A jail physician rescued him. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.