Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-08-24
DECKER'S DEAL.
The Secretary and Treasurer Of the
Chickasaw Guards a Defaulter to
the Extent OF
Several Eundred DOllars-The Precise
Amount UnknOwn-His Plan OF
Operation.

The report that Decker Davis, the ~secreta-
ry and treasurer If the Cnickasaw Guards,
was short in mis- accounts, which has been
current on the streets for several days, gain
ed definite shape yesterday, Inc the young
man has left the city for parts unknown.
A representative OF the APPEAL called on
a prominent member of the COMPANY in the
afternoon mi questioned him in regard TO
The % sitter. The gentleman was not inclined
10 talk at fret, but when assured that the
leading facts were pretty yell known, Coz
scented to tell all he knew.
Decker Davis came here from Loui-viIle
about two years $50, he said, and tb,sined
employment with the clothing house of John
stcn & Vance. He was well connected, OF
good address and
EXCEEDINGLY PLAUSIBLE,
and rapidly ade friendS. HIS acquaint.
ance rapidly extended, and he became gen.
orally known as a j lily good fellow. He
was a pleasant tslker a1d a capital hand at
a Joke, dressed well and with taste, and soon
ipgraliated himself into the confidence and
favor Of a large number OF tie best people
OF the city, with whom, really, he Stood upon
ierms of social equality. Soon alter his AZ
rival he made application Tor membership
in the Cuickssaw Quad, ard was received,
LDk " IL IL ldSN NN1N 40 "No Wv
small in stature 10 drill with the company.
His election rs secretary and treasurer fol-
lowed shortly af:erwsrd, and he continued 10
maintain the favor Of The Guards and oil his
acquaintance generally until about ten days
ago, when his manner OF
READING OUT HIS REPORTS
at the regular meetings of the company al
tracted some attention and remark, and final
l. --zlA1 k-s l,ssl. -.
lion 10 prove that his accounts were short,
and the facile Decker by some means ascer-
tanned that his guilt wss discovered. He put
a long face, AID concocted a pitiful story,
which be poured unto the ears of any Of the
who he supposed might be able
to shield him, but goi small consolation. He
finally Informed that he must N lake his
shortsge good or take the consequences, and
cut the MISTER short by taking his departure.
10 answer 10 a question as TO the amount of
the shortage, the member said 1t had not
been definitely ascertained. A partial in
was made yesterday, and about
$500 found, but it is believed
THE DEFALCATIoN
will not fall far short OF $4,000, if il does not
exceed that mount. the company have
been in good shape financially and reposed
every confidence in him. When questioned
r. garding Davis's manner OF proceeding tn.
gentleman stated that il was somewhst pr
%culiar, and needed a little explanation TO be
understood. As the company always have a
surplus fund on hand, for use whenever re-
CURED, they make 1t a practice to advance
hall the price OF a uniform, which costs $50,
to any new member who may desire such
aid. A lien is taken on the suit for the
amount, and in the event of a member resign,
ing before the balance is paid, it becomes the
prcp2rty OF the company. In this way quite 8
NUMBE OF SUITS
are thrown back on their hands. 1t is GU
tOmsIy TO sell these 10 members al hall
prics, when 30 desired. And right here Davi;
got in his work. By virtue OF his office be
sold thtss suits and collected the money
which be put way down in his pocket, failirg
10 make an entry on the books, as he should
have done. He also had a habit of failing to
enter the payment of initiation fees, which
are S25. But a third method was even more
productive, and the extent to which he
worke,i it up will be equally hard to dis
cover. Since the installation of Davis a large
number Of honorary members have beer
elected, each making II payment CT SIS. He
f,iled TO enter their names, rs has since
trauspired, and also
SEGLrCIED IL ACCOUNT
for these fees, which 10 the aggregate mus
be several hundred dollars. Tue amount oil
which be has saindled the company in thit
wy Can never b. prec sely known, as the
names OF de- ms of honorary members cannot
be remembered. Davis had a way on meet
ing nights OF opening his books with a great
flourish and calling off ~footinss as if it were
absurd that the accuracy of bis account
could even b. called into question. Hi
manner of keeping records was peculiar il
more ways than one, and a cursory glance
offers no solution OF The difficulty. 1t is fear
ed that he found even other means of swim
ding aud that he may have done even more
yet to iujure the reputation OF the company
A of expert book-keepers-mem
bers OF the company have bsen appointed
10 make a close examination of the book
and accounts, and hope to bring order out o
chaos in a few days. the reporter asked j
IL was likely that Davis would be prosecuted
and replied that he could not positively say,
though so far as he was concerned he was II
favor ofhanging him by the neck if he coult
be caught.
AS the Chickasaw Guards are regularll
chartered by the State, it would be an cas-,
matter to convict and sentence Decker, pro
vided the allegations SO positively mad.
could be sustained in court.