The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-12-25

to remove the deep seated impression oil
fraud.
This afternoon at o'clock, the Board will
again be in session, and if Mr.. Smiths resig-
nation is presented the whole matter will be
speedily settled. If not legal proceedings
will be instituted at once to recover from the
bondsmen the sum due the county.
THIRD DAY.
The dawn of yesterday morning was omi-
nous Of trouble. Black and threatening the
clouds hung over the city, and the cold
damp mist settled down to the earth in q
manner we'll calculated to further depress
the spirits of the overwhelmed tax payers
who with clouded brows gathered on the
street corners and popular places of resort, to
talk over in their excited manner the finan.
cial troubles of the county. Even to dis
interested observer it waa plainly evident
that trouble was brewing. On every hand
msledictions, deep and bitter, and fraught
with meaning, were heard emanating from
the lips of men who under ordinary circum-
stances were known to be perfectly passive.
There seemed to be something in the atmos-
phere itself that helped on the general in
dignation. People raved, cursed, swore, and
talked lynch law, all in the same breath.
There was nothing else to be heard of on
the streets, but the knavery Of the
Treasurer and the dictatorial request
made by his bondsmen. When the
sturdy Changers =" the bone and
sinew" of the taxpayers of the county-be-
gan to arrive from their homes on the prai-
ries, the excitement visibly increased.
These men came with the de-
termination TO have a full understanding
of the matter before they returned, or else
know the reason why. A deep undercurrent
of resolute purpose was plainly visible on
their bronzed faces. They gathered in groups
of two and four and, seated on dry goods
boxes and barrels, stated their opinions and
beliefs till a new rumor came to give variety
to the general topic of conversation.
THE ARREST OF SMITH.
Fully armed with authority from the
Board, County Attorney Goddard, on Mon.
day night, prepared the following complaint,
which was sworn to by one of the Commits
sioners the next morning.
Before John C. Vaughan, Police Judge of
the city of Lcavenworth, county and State
aforesaid.
The STATE OF KANSAS, L.,
LEAvENwoRTH COUNTY.
Enos Hook, being first duly sworn says,
That on the 10th day of December, 1874, at
the city of Leavenworth aforesaid, George
s. Smith, was then and there an Officer of
the county Of Leavenworth, an incorporation
duly organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Kansas, to-wit, the Treasurer
of said county, duly elected and qualified
and legally authorized and empowered to
perform all the duties of said Office, and that
the said Geo. s. Smith, As such officer and
Treasurer of said county, was then and there
entrusted and did then and there have in his
possession and under his care by virtue Of
bis said office, certain public moneys to-wit,
the sum of Sixty.seven thousand dollars, of
the moneys belonging to said county, and Of
the valne of Sixty-seven thousand dollars,
and the said George S. Smith. did then and
there unlawfully, fraudulently and
felonlously embezzle and convert to his
own use without the assent of said
county of Leavenworh all of the
same public moneys Aforesaid, with the Gus
tody and care of which he, the said Geo. s.
Smith. was then and there 90 "a aforesaid
entrusted and then and there did have and
hold BY virtue of his said Office of Treasurer
of the county Aforesaid, contrary TO the form
Of the statutes in such case made and pro-
vided. ENos Hook.
Subscribed in my presence, and sworn to
before me this 23d day of December, A. d.
1873. &c. VAUGHAN. Judge.
After the fling ofthis complaint, warrant
was At once taken Out, and Marshal Hook
arrested Mr.. Smith about eleven O'Clock, at
his reaidence. As he was sick in bed and
could not be removed, the defaulting Treas
urer was placed in the custody of police
man until he should be able to give bonds
for his appearance to answer to the charges
made against him.
The news of Smiths arrest spread like
wild-6re down the street from his residence
and into all the business thoroughfares.
Some applauded the action taken and others
knowingly shook their heads. and said it was
lust what the bondsmen wanted. Opinions
were loudly expressed that the securities
should recsive simitar treatment until
they saw ct to divulge to the public
the Whereabouts of the missing funds. There
seemed to be = general impression abroad
that the bondsmen were rapidly ''taking
WATER and that they rested in the hope
that something would be done by the excited
ropulace which would relieve them of their
responsibility. That they knew where The
deficiency was no one presumed to doubt.
That they only wanted time to get them
selves, and other interested ones out Of the
mirs was also well underwood
BY the knowing ones,
This fact of the desire of the bosdemen 10
hold the Office under their immediate control
W. pretty fully substantiated BY The STATE
me.t Of . gentleman who called upon NJ.
Smith early in the day and just before his
azre1G Ar. Smith statsd at that time that
be could not BY any psaibilify resign unles
By Tie consent Of his bondsmen. That thev
were Fsspooaible for he deficit and that be
islti n duty hound 70 maize fhem . ME q b