The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-04-01

No, Twas the City Clerk !
q Conclude a Series of Defalcations, He
Draws a False Order and Gifts"

Draws False Order and "Gits.
We presume this city has not been in state
such commotion since the days when tine
ldicrs went OFF, as on last Friday evening"
,turday and Sunday, when il became generally
nown about town that "Joe" Courtney, the
ity Clerk lad turned up defaulter, had drawn
large sum ON q spurious order ana heo th0
,wn to escape justice and the disgrace OF expo.
are Joe" had held the Office for huihper VI
ears under Mayors Boyle and swift, ana oy NIB
God nature and cordial manners had come 10 DC
Generally liked and trusted, SO that VIC MI
|ouncement OF this default was quite astouhd-
lc. II was known that he had been living pref
fast, but the thought that zoe was stealing never
Inferred the mind OF anyone. The very day he
Eft town we have no doubt he could nave oo'
LINED credit for almost any amount he chose TO
SIX.
The facts OF the case are, in substance. these:
he City Treasurer, Mr.. Z. c. Allen, in making
|p his report, noticed that the receipts for
censes (the moneys are collected by the Clerk J
|,r this current year were considerably short OF
he receipts from the same source for the pre-.
lso discovered that nothing had been deposited
|i the usual fund received from peddlers, street
|awkers, shows, etc, ETC., who are required by
by the city ordinances to take out licenses. He
Immediately Friday afternoon) called into his
flee, In the National City Bank, Mr.. Ed. smith,
f the Finance Committee, and explained the
natter to him. Mr.. Smith said Mr.. Courtney
must have this money and he would go at once
md see him about it. On reaching the door OF
he office he saw Courtney at the teller's win
low counting money, and he went back to Mr.
Allen and said he guessed IL was all right, Joe
was there then and was doubtless making de-
posit. On examination it was found that instead
If making deposit, Joe had drawn the cash on
,wo orders, to-wit: one Of $25, for one month q
salary, and another for $23l75 drawn payable 10
himself on account Of the Silsby Manufacturing
Company. This Mr.. Smith pronounced TO be
fraud, as no money was owing the Silsby Manu-
featuring Co.; besides, the clerk could have nc
use for the currency, as the amount should DC
sent by draft For the first time it became APP
parent that something was wrong. Mr.. Smith
hurried over to CourtRey's Office, which he found
ncy had gone directly from the bank to the C..
B. & @. railroad and had got on the passenger
train bound north to Aurora. A telegram was
then sent To the marshal at Aurora to hold him
The marshal arrested HIM at Aurora, but ior
some unaccountable reason took him to Mendo'
IA. He kept telling him that the telegram was
only joke of some of the boys" who, he said,
A,h 49, I'll iOkpR
lin on every possible occasion, and the conduc-
tor substantiated the statement, it is said. When
they reached Mendoza there was 0! course
no one there who wanted Courtney, which
seemed to confirm the statement that ut was Il
Joke" and he was set at liberty. Mr.. Hess, OF
A. Hess d Co., saw him there on the stree,
looking for friend" and asked him to accom-
pany him on freight to Aurora, but "Joe" de
elined, remarkng he'd "rathcr wait and take
the passenger" That is, we believe, the last re
port heard OF him. He has probably gone tt
Canada, or west or may be to thu "Blaci
Hills" after bonanza" Any way he's gone
On Saturday his Office was entered by the cit,
marshal and a number of the councilmen and al
the books and papers belonging to the city, lin
Guiding his bonds for 81 600, signed by hirnsei
with Messrs. John Hoban and Chas. Clifford al
sure.ies) were secured, and removed TO the Cit,
Hall, where City Attorney Brewer and Mr.. Raw
ems, the newly appointed Clerk, have been trying
20 straighten things out. The records OF the pro
ecedings had not been entered up for number
Of menths-sincc June last, though most OF the
original notes are preserved, and the other hook
are in as bad shape.
The actual amount of the defalcation will pro
badly never be exactly known. There is q lack
ing in the liquor and billiard license fund o
81 $50; and in other license receipts, which mus
he considerable considering We had the State Fai
last wear; and he has drawn $125 as salar,
above wha, he was entitled to- and his last checl
, as mentioned) for $o3i.T5. The whole amount ear
not be less than $1,000
We all feel badly over this unfortunate event
Joe Courtney was not vicious and small like or
binary thieves, but was rather the unfortunate
possessor of weak will, easily led into tempta
tation, and readily made q tool ofby those whit
played upon and took advantage Of his good ma
ture and naturally generous and opep-hande'
George RsutciiHs