ELDER WILLIAM DYNES.
THE SHAKERS LOSE ONE OF THEIR TRUSTEES TOGETHER WITH ABOUT TWENTY
SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS OF THEIR WEALTH.
William Dynes, a man in about middle life, medium size and of dark complexion, joined the community of Shakers west of town between three and four years ago. The new comer proved to possess good business qualities, and as the old substantial men of the village, like David Parkhurst died, Dynes naturally came to the front. Last April a year ago the affairs of the west family were in bad condition and he was moved there to act as elder. Continuing to do well in this place, less than a year ago he was made one or the five trustees, the head of all the business.
As the Shakers had an interest in the Muddy Creek ditch case they selected Elder William to look after it in the courts. John E. Smith, his attorney, got anxious as the time of the trial approached to see his client and wrote to Shakertown that he must come in. The answer came back that Dynes had disappeared several days before and at the same time about $2,600, which had for the most part been obtained by the sale of produce. At this writing no steps are known to have been taken for his arrest, and of course if he took the money with criminal intent he is now well out of the reach of officers. The departed was supposed by all the Shakers to be doing exactly right, but for some time he has been seen in Lebanon entering the saloons, sometimes the front way, but generally by way of the alley.
Lebanon Gazette, 25 November 1886
ELDER WILLIAM DYNES, who left Union Village some time ago, taking with him a large sum of money belonging to the Shakers, has returned and is living with them in peace. The case against him was put into the hands of Cooch, the detective of Middletown, who followed Dynes and overtaking him secured the money belonging to the brethren of the village. Dynes came lawfully into the possession of the money and it is said to be his statement that he had no intention to wrongfully appropriate any part of the funds to his own use. He has been regularly in attendance at the ditch trial.
Lebanon Gazette, 16 December 1886