The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-12-02
The Chief Clerk of the Kan
sas Penitentlary Gets
Away With $4,000.
He Was Formerly a Resident
Of this City Where He
is Well Known.
Wine and Women the Cause of
His Downfall-Hls Where
abouts Unknown.

1hC cptCi1A lfOu
Leavenworth, Kansas, TO the Kansas City
Times, OF yesterday mo: ming, will be read
with interest by many readers OF the
BAZoo:
~. e. Pussy, clerk Of the Kansas state
popi,entiary, has proved an embezzler ol
state funds to the tune of between $4,000
and $1,000. Pussy has been absent from
his place of duty for some days and the
first knowledge obtained by War.
den Jones that there was any.
thing wrong in the accounts of Pussy
wss on Sunday last when his
picious were aroused by two cash accounts
in which discrepancies existed. Statements
of funds are made out at the end OF each
week, but on last Thursday a week Ego,
Warden Jones, who was absent on bust
ness, asked Pussy 10 make the cash &C.
counts out then, and as everything agreed
with the books, nothing WAS suspected.
During the warden's absence Pussy made
out the regular statement, and on his re-
turn, Saturday following, the papers were
compared and difference of $500 found
between them. Colonel Jones, after con-
sulting with his deputy in regard to this
difference, came TO the city next morning
10 see Pussy, but could not find him.
Monday
HE COULD NOT BE FOUND.
Tuesday word was received by the war
den that he had gone TO Topeka, and a tele-
gram was sent TO arrest MIN to the chief
detective of the Santa Fe Railroad comp a.
ny. Some OF the prison officials went to
Topeka, but no trace of Pussy could be
found. In the meantime the warden and
book-keeper went over the books aud
found deficits amounting to between =, 900
and $1,000. The books, however, had
been kept in way to efectually
re ch cannot as yet be determined
not at least until an expert is OBJ
tanned. Pussy is reported to be in
debt in this city from 81, 200 to
81 500 10 various persons and merchants.
kilograms have been sent TO Chicago,
where he has a sister in-lsw. and to Penn
sylvania. where his mother lives. Colonel
Jones left for Topeka this morning and no
statement could be obtained from him.
Colonel Veale anu three other gentlemen of
Topeka are Pusey's bOndsmeD. He came
so we'll recommended from all quarters
that no doubt existed in the minds of Col.
Jones or any of his assistants In regard TO
his honesty, aud it was ouly In the last few
days that they have been made aware of
the life Pussy was leading in this city.
WOMEN AND WINE.
For several months Pussy has been init
mate with Mrs. Devore, a woman of essy
virtue, and in company with Marshal
Shallcross, she was called on and question
ed /, was known that he spent money
freely upon her and wss regarded a. her
solid man." She said hat h came 10
her house last Saturday night and remain
ed there most OF the lime until Monday
morning, when he left, but returned in the
evening with a crowd, all of whom we're
under the influence Of liquor. He
went away with them bnI returned
later in that night and remained
until Tuesday morning, leaving about 9
o'clock. During the last time he staid
there he told her that he had resigned at
the peniienliary and had decided 10 come
to the city and GO into tie saloon business,
having purchased 1850 interest In q sa-
loon here. She had not seen him since last
Tuesday morning. She said that last night
a man from the state house at Topeka was
at her house inquiring after Pussy aud
that he was wanted by his bondsmen there.
Mrs Deyore asserted that Pussy spent
most OF his money on companions with
whom he caroused and that he was no,
liberal in his expendi ures upon her. He'd
lend money 10 any one who asked him for
il when drinking, and would spend it with
out any regard to Its value.
1t is learned that Pussy borrowed con-
siderabl, money OF various persons In this
city within the last few days before he left.
He did not experience much difficulty in
getting it. as he had the reputation of pay
ing his debts and usually having plenty of
money.
The latest report is that Pusey's en-
bezzlemeDts amount to $4,000, and that his
debts in the city amount to $1,000"
HIS RECORD WHILE HERE.
Pusey's sad dow mall will no doubt be
regretted by many acquaintance in this
city where he is well known, he being az
one time a resident here. In 1872 he was
as a fireman on the Missouri
Pacific, and afterwards ran a switch engine
In the yards. Later he was promoted TO
the position of time keeper and clerk In the
master mechanics Office, which position he
held until 1877, when he resigned to accept
q more lucrative position with The A. L. &
). +. road at Topeka, Kansas. This posi-
ton he filled to the entire satisfaction OF
the company until the opening of the Click
ST. John campaign. At that time he was
Haikuey's chief clerk. and
being a bitter euenlv 10 prohibition, he or
ganized an anti-St. John republican club.
Learning OF his activity among the men In
the shops, C. G. Wheeler, general manager
Of the road, wrote TO Master Mechanic
Hackney, directing him to allow no cleo
pioneering in the shops. PHsey, whose bus
mess ii was as chief clerk to open the let
ers, read this, and handed his RESIGNATION
with the letter to Mr.. Hackney. This gave
rise to report that ], 400 men had been
discharged because they favored Click and
is given as one of the causes that led to St
Johns defeat. After the success OF the
democrats there was some talk of making