Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-12
rue aoPIo.
Talk With a Gentleman from the
Ata,e With a sfo0,00O shortage.


81 Louis Republican.
Anose the arrivals at the Southern
Yesterday vas Mr.. n. 4. Allen, Of
Na,bvilia. fsAn and 10 the hope Of
obtaining Iron Inn some additional
f.ers concerning the enormous deiai-
cstion discovered last Thursday in the
oi5se Of Staie Treasurer Polk, a Re.
nnbliesn reporter Jailed on him.
the discovery, said Mr.. Allen,
~"cre.led great sensation 10 our city,
ssibere " re few who had any suspi-
zion Of the real state OF affairs. Mr..
polk's close relationship with the
f,mIly OF james X. Polls, of course,
ave 10 the case a much greater inter
81 than would have otherwise attach
sdtoit. It was very humiliating to
The members and friendso of the distin.
guished family.
What manner of man was the de.
nsrted Treasurer, Mr.. Allen"
He was a genial, Whole souled,
easily spproachsble man, possibly
6ty Eve years Old, and possessed a
host of friends-toO many, it would
seem. il the reports be true concerning
thc number OF Loans of which notes in
bis sale bear evidence. He was always
liberal with his money and popular
with the people" :.
was he given to social gamblinsg'
mo. | think not. AT least, if he
was il will be a great surprise to the
people who know him we'll. He lived
we'll aud was hOspitable and we'll be-
loved in his home. His daughter,
Miss Mamie, is one of the most pOpu-
Ter and estimable young ladies in the
State. She and her mother left
Nashville on the same train that
brought me here, on their way to
Mrs. Folks home in Bolivar, Ten
nessee. There is a great deal Of sym
PATTY in all circles for them, notwith,
stqrding the indignation at the course
of their husband and father"
What is the explanation OF the
shOrtsge?'
1T IS known almost to a certainty
Mr.. Polk had been 10 office nearly six
years, and during that time SO gresI
vas the popular faith in him that hi
accounts never underwent any closC
examination. There is good reason
to believe that up to less than a yeal
ago his administration was honest anC
his balances correct Then, unfortu
nately, the bill for funding the Stat,
debt passed. aud he, IS a member o
the funding committee. was undeI
the necessity Of spending a consider
able time last spring In New York
While there he obtained an insidl
view Of Wall street operations, caughN
the speculative fever, and plunged
ia to make a fortune. 1t was thl
old story. bach loss be felt certain
would be the last, and TO relieve him
self be ventured again and again
through the medium Of acquaintance.
formed during the Transaction Of StatC
business. This continued after BIZ
rri1ra nome, ana ms usazi pleasant
CHEEKY manner gave way to q reticencc
ard 3 u0r0seness, which all Of hi.
friends loticei. bad his trouble.
been q e l0aRsr staa5iog il is fair q
presume that this change would not
have been 80 Sudden OF 50 noticeable.
EaEly. whea be saw "a Investigation
t2d discovers we're inevitable, be
quisily took his departure last Wed
nesosy night. without leaving any
Letter that might throE any light On
his hecouats o. hrs wrong doing. We
es1l3 Not discover What train be took,
q Eh2i VS. his 1esaHsti0n, bnf the
tae.s that are knoFn warrant the
bsliEf thar lie has ruBs to Texas"
Is Il Supposed that be took much
DHneE win hint
Nc Is s thought be did not take
1srs than enough 10 pay his inmedi-
kss expenses.
how za0ut his r~f0psrty2"
hs had very little real estate-st
least rery LITTLE in comparison with
tie aR5uu; Ct bis Indebtedness
Ana his bon82'
Ca has bond Is perfectly GOOD. and
every dollar Of il is colisctsble. Oar
firm Is On it for $1,000. But the bond
was utterly iaa3eguats to the occasion.
Of course We DO no. KNOW the exact
amount Of his aefaleAtioa, but Iexpect
the report Of the investigating com,
nittss vii ee submitted to morrow OF
next day.