Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-03-12

Gr- Some facts have lately come iGto
our possession relative to the appropriation
of the funds of the Railroad and Express
companies, by n. Frank Blake, at Ackley,
which place the matter in somewhat diff
ferent light from the first reports. 1t seems
that while Blake had charge Of the station
q: Jesup, he became possessed of the idea
that he could speculate in wheat to good
advantage, if he only had the necessary
funds. Beevii he could "turn" the
money used in few weeks At longest, he
used the funds of the company 10 his pos
session to buy wheat: but the venture prov
ed failure-he lost instead of gained
money, aud had nothing with which 10 re-
place it. Meantime, being naturally fond
Of high life, his family expenses were made
much larger than necessity called for, as
sisting to embarrass him financially. He
several hundred dollars, when he was re
moved to Ackley. Ia order to correct his
accounts st Jesup, he used the funds Of the
Express company at Ackley, probably in
tending to replace them as soon as possible.
But difficulty now arose in his inability to
square his accounts, and the matter was in
quired into by the general agent Of the COM
pany. Blake was now in aquandary. He
must either go directly to the Superintendent
Il n. ~, La IL
transaction aud ask leniency, or fly to escape
the law. His first impulse was to follow the
former course, but meantime the road agent
Of the Express company inquired into GER
tain Of his accounts, and to prevent imme-
date disclosure, Blake put him off with
lie. lie now felt that he had broken his
word and could not face the Superintendent.
In brooding over his troubles his mind lost
its accustomed cheerfulness, and he became
utterly miserable. There seemed to be but
one recourse and that was to fly. Up to
this moment his wife knew nothing of his
difficulties, although she had often besought
him to tell her what was weighing upon his
mind. He now told her, and packing two
trunks with clothing, sent them to a station
on the Cedar Rapids road, and had them
expressed to Canada. He then took sufiic-
lent funds from the safe Of the Express
company to meet is anticipated expenses,
and crossing the country, followed his trunks.
Upon arriving in Canada, aud considering
the matter in oil its bearings, he decided to
return to Iowa, and make q clean breast Of
the whole matter to Mr.. j. P. Farley, Supt
Of the ID. l. S. G. r. r. His wife was at
Cedar Rapids, and he came directly to that
point, intending to 60 from there to Dubu.
que, but was arrested soon after his arrival,
and taken to Dubuque and thence transfer
red to this city, where he was committed to
Jail. While in Dubuque he had an interview
with Mr.. Farley and told him the story.
The railroad company, in view Of the cir.
cumstances of the case, and of the apparent
desire Of Blake to redeem himself, agreed to
settle the matter upon the payment Of Ger,
tain amount, Mr.. Farley himself heading
subscription list with $50. A large part of
the necessary funds have been raised, and
Blake is now hopeful Of securing the whole,
whercupon he proposes no retrieve himself in
the eyes of the people. His great fault "
biting at the facinating bait of speculation.
The money which he took outright from Ack-
ley was small in amount, and $50 Of that was
returned. The floss originated in his wheat
speculations at -Jesup, and in extravagant
! living.