St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-11
ONE DEFAULTER's HISTORY.
The Treasurer of Jackson County In
The Buckeye State.
He Establishes Separate Household and Has
Jolly Time with the Money Intrusted
to Him-Glad to be Caught.
TColumbus fohiol Telegram both ult.

contained InlS ShorI paragraph uuIihS un0
week
William c. keenan,, defaulting Treasurer of
Jacks IN County, was received at the penitentiary
to-day for term Of six years.
This sentence has behind it the story OF
weak and dishonest mans ruin by an evil
woman. Several other Treasurers OF this
State have become defaulters in recent years,
but their peculation was attributed to grain
gambling or other speculation. Keenan's
crime was caused by an ignorant woman.
Five years ago this summer he was nomi-
mated by the Republicans of Jackson county
for Treasurer He was popular farmer,
who had taken some part in politics, had
been a good soldier, and had good family
| connections. His disposition was sunny,
and his manner obliging. He lived at Ber-
lin Cross Roads, six miles from Jackson
Court House, the county seat. Here he had
farm of $50 acres; and with a fine large
house overlooking the railroad station. lie
had happy family of eight children and
wife whose devotion he was unable to'ap-
preciate. This was the state of affairs when
keenan, was elected. He entered upon his
duties in September, 1880, and to all appear
ances prospered. He was very popular
IAIouSuouG IHc country HlIH WHdI are huo"H
as ''the boys.'' He spent his own money
freely, though not quite as freely as he after
wards spent that of the people. He drank
whiskey with great gusto He was reelected
in 1881, and then his companions began to
see that there was skeleton in his closet,
and thatit worried him. AT times while talk
ing with companions he would cry like a
child. Yet he never disclosed the cause OF
his sorrow
He began to be a frequent visitor to Gin
cinnati. He was well advanced in Masonry,
and excused his absence with the assertion
that he was attending convocations. He was
attending very un-Masonic conventions,
presided over by the woman in whose COM
pany he went to ruin. Her name was Jen-
ME Melvin. Her people were poor residents
of Berlin She married man named Tarr,
and by him had one child. She left her hus-
| band and became servant in the home OF
the Keenans. On one night this woman
came home and found Mr.. keenan, sitting
alone, reading. Mrs. keenan, had gone to
bed The woman took off her shawl and hat
and sat for moment near the table Kee
nan threw his paper down, blew out the
light, caught the woman in his arms, kissed
| her, sat her down, and then lighted the lamp,
picked up his paper and continued his read
ing. This took only moment The guilty
| intimacy that followed was continued under
the family roof without arousing Mrs. Kee
mans suspicious. The woman got into
trouble, and was sent to Circlevile to avoid
exposure. She returned and again went
away for the same reason.
Then keenan, proposed to some friends in
Cincinnati that his sister-in-law be allowed
to board with them. They aged, and the
| ,,lo, To L.
er and wife, living on Broadway, in Cincin-
natl Here she had room, which keenan,
shared during his visits. This was during
the winter of 1881 and 1883. When Keenan,
went to this place he took the women to
theatres and beer gardens, and spent the
State money with the iberality of prince.
In August of last year Keenan, came to Gin
cinnati with $780, 900 in a valise. He pro-
posed to run away with it, and take the wom
an with him. She knew that he had the
money, and, in fact, took it to keep for him
while he was on a spree. But he repented
OF his intention, and, returning, paid the
money out to the township Treasurers, and
made his settlement with the State. In the
| first part of September he came to Cincinnati
again. The two prepared for flight, and on
Sept. went to Cleveland. His departure
| from home was not noticed until almost
week later. He could not be found, and his
office was closed, His son, boy of 10,
opened the safe and found therein only $40.
Then the Sheriff started out to capture the
embezzler. The taxpayers demanded JUS
! tice. The search for him was for a long time
unsuccessful. A female friend of keenan,
and his companion, living in Cincinnati,
was made the object of ESPECIAL attention.
She had friend in this city with whom she
| kept up correspondence. Her letters were
seen. One from Keenan's com panion told
fearful tale. keenan, had left her alone
and penniless in st. Paul, to which city the
pair had drifted from Cleveland. He had
only $500 when he left Cincinnati, while the
treasury was short 81, 900.
He was continually drunk from the time
he left Cincinnati. He was soon closed out
without cent Then he took gold watch
from the woman and pawned it for $1S
With this he departed, saving that he would
! seek a situation. He never returned. Where
keenan, was she knew not. This was in
January. The assistance of the st. Paul de-
tectives was obtained, and one of them
quickly became intimate with the woman
Then he declared that he was jealous of her
because she was getting letters from others.
She then showed him letter from Keenan,
He was in Iowa, and in very few days was
in the detectives hands. The once happy
official was found on a farm near McGregor.
chopping wood. He was in tattered clothing
and worn out shoes. His hands and feet
had been frozen, and he was in pitifu con
dition generally. He had walked about the
country seeking work in the middle of win
ter. and was delighted when caught.
He was taken home. He passed by his old
home one evening in February in the ears,
while his wife and children waved their
handkerchiefs and wept. His son talked
with him a few moments, and then the
father went to Jail at Jackson. Later his
wife visited him and forgavc him. He was
soon forgiven by many Of his old friends,
and they were all ready to sign a petition for
his pardon. He decided to plead guilty, and
was accordingly sentenced to six years i'm
prisonment. 1t is the intention of his friends
to get UP a petition as long as Jackson county
praying the governor for pardon. The wo-
man came home some weeks ago. She is
now living at Berlin Cross Roads, in full
sight of Mrs. Keenan's little home The
farm was sold to satisfy the bondsmen, and
only the house and four acres remain in
Mrs. Keenan's possession.
hi