The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-08
The Deficit About Fourteen Thousand Dol
lars-The Defalcation the Result of
Bad Management
A Postal Clerks Story of the j., NJ.
& 1. Wreck Near Seymour.
Suicide at veedersburg-Close of the Hous-
ton Trial at Bloomington, H.
Notes and Gleanings.
INDIANA.
The Treasurer of Monroe County a Defaulter
for Fourteen Thousand Dollars.

The Treasurer of Monroe County a Defaulter
for Fourteen Thousand Dollars.
Special tn the Indianapolis Journal
BLOOMINGTON, June 7.-During the last
twelve hours the usually quiet little city of
Bloomington has been highly excited by the
announcement that Lawson E. Mckinney
treasurer of Monroe county for three years
past, had proven a defaulter to the amount
of $4,000, only $4,000 of which he is able to
make good by his personal effects. The
news was scarcely credited until the COM
missioners were sought out and the facts
verified by their statements. Mr.. Mckinney
has served in official positions in Monroe
county for nearly ten years-two years as
recorder, four years as sheriff and almost
four years as treasurer, during which time
no man has been so trusted or enjoyed
more completely the confidence of his con-
stituents, At the end of his term in the
recorders office his accounts were correct;
and the same in the sheriff's Office with the
exception of about 5000, which it was thought
was only a mstake and upon his making
the amount good nothing more was thought
or expected. When his term as sheriff ex-
pired, Mr. Mckinney engaged in farming for
two years, after which he was a candidate on
the Republican ticket and elected treasurer
by small majority. When he took this
office his trouble began; for as soon as he
was fairly at work debts that he had
contracted years before began to come in,
and not having the courage to refuse when
he had money at his command, he paid them
out of the county funds hoping in the fu-
ture to make the amount good. At the end
of the first term a deficiency appeared, but
he argued that outstanding orders would
make it good, and the matter was allowed to
go on; only his bondsmen were not dis
missed. He was elected to a second term,
and instead of curtaIling expenses to make
up past deficiencies, he continued his old
habits also investing largely in Texas lands,
until the sum has become too large to
| longer conceal.
The immediate discovery was made through
the bank, Mr. McKlnney's attention having
been called to an oyerdraft of 5000, when he
attempted to borrow money, which led to
the discovery that his funds were short or
he would have no need for the amount
asked The amount of his deficit is about
$4,000. This amount, by Mr.. Mckinney sur
rendering his personal effects, can be re-
duced to about $11,000 Yesterday near
So, 900 came in on accounts, which will leave
SO, 900 for the bondsmen to make good
The fact that Mr.. Mckinney has always
been straightforward citizen and honest in
all his dealings, gives him the sympathy of
everybody without regard to party. In an
interview with the Journal representative he
states that no one was to blame
but himself and that the whole trouble
was brought about by liquidating debts co n
tracted years ago and in light speculation,
as stated above. He says he will give up
every dollar he has to lessan the amount.
The general impression is that his defal-
cation has not been with criminal intent,
but was caused by recklessness in managing
money that did not belong to him. Among
the bondsmen are Sheriff Grimes, j. c.
Woolley, David Buskirk N. w. Hill, J. P.
Smith, James Ryan, and other good citizens,
so that the county will lose nothing. N w.
Hill has been appointed by the bondsmen to
take charge of a IL moneys
The Seymour Wreck Statement of a Postal
Clerk.
Special to the indianapolis Journm.
SEYMOUR, June THE scene of the Farm
ington wreck has been visited to-day by
hundreds OF people from this city and sur
rounding country The wreck occurred in
low, swampy section, where The railroad
crosses several small streams within short
distance. Several washouts were awaiting
the Inflated train within two miles, had it
passed Pennington. 1t now appears that the
old man, who attempted to signal the train,
wasted the few moments he had for doing
good in going to his house for a red hand
kerchief, and that the engineer, after discov-
ering him, probably supposed he was some
one wanting to board the train The road
bed is torn up for 200 feet, the rails being
bent, twisted and driven in all directions
The whole top of the new sleeper was driven
completely through the baggage-car length
wise. In this car was George Ammons
baggage-master, and G. A. Clark, postal
clerk Clark escaped with slight scratch,
but that he could have done so seems almost
impossible. To-day he was busy gathering
up mail matter, which was scattered about
promiscuously. SAID he:
my residence is in Pendleton, Ind
l have been on the road eight years. This is
the first wreck l have been in. / was in the
front part of the car. l think the engineer
blew the whistle twice. supposed 1t was q
crossing. The first l noticed the
car jumped, and felt as if flying
through the air Then came a terrible
al