The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-05-16
DUyAI SELPH's RENINlSCENCE
How He Poeketed SN Thousand
Dollars when Treasurer "t
Hamilton County.

WELBoRN, Fla. March 81. -.
To the Eittor Times-U MON:
A great deal has been said and written
recen,ly about the Selphs Of Lake ClIy.
So much has been written that they are
known. by reputation, throu. hout this
country. Mr.. Duval Seiph. Who NsS IN
dicted at the fall term of the circuit,
court at Lake City last November, for
shooting at the Daughtery's, has not get
come to trial for said charges and Is now
at his wife's fathers. Mr.. Jacob Ellis.
who lives four miles from this place.
Mr.. Selph comes in once or twice a
week and being a great talker, often re-
lates incidents that occurred during his
past life. He speaks of the wrongs that
he has committed also. and thinks that
the public is too severe on him, and that
he is charged with Ill the meanness le
ever did and has never had credit Tor the
good acts Of his life. Thinking ;hat
some of thcae incidents in regard to
himself may be Of interest. will give
your readers one. OF which great deal
has been said. This refers to h;s acts
while tax collector for Hamilton county
during Governor Reeds administration.
have often heard it said that Duyal
Selph. while he was tax collector Tor
Hamilton county, had stolen five % SIX
thousand dollars Of the peopics money,
but never heard Of the particular q Il
from any one except himself, ard n"w
give il 10 your readers rs related 20 me- 4
fews DAYS ago MIR. Selph said;
During Governor Harrison Reed : al
mlnistration concluded that ! would
like tn be tax collector for my county.
was acquainted with the Governor, 80 |
went to Tallahassee in ls6s. saw him,
and told him tina, wanted the appoint,
ment as tax collector for my county.
The Governor replied iha, If tho repre-
sentatives of the county would RECON-
mend me he would make the appoint
ment. The repre- entatives made the
recommendation and received the AZ.
pointment. ! came home and proceed
ed to discharge the duiies Of the Office.
held the Office two years AZ the end
Of my term went t. Tallahess'r 10
make final settlement with DR.. ). u.
Conover, the state treasurer ! carried
with me- Sl2.Oo0 in lnl,ea States curren'
cy. When arrived ut Tallahassee
deposited the money in the banh.
went up to the treasurer ohicc, SAW
Conover, and toll him had come "a
make final sc,tlencHt Tie looked IN
his desk and got ont piece Of paper and
handed il to me. looked at 1t, and
read about ne follows: 4 do -oiemnly
swear that will pay over. IA near ~
possible. the Identical money that have
collected, as tax collector ar it1 c,W.ta-
lent in money jusl ~ good
"Said !, Mr.. Conover, don't like to
take that oath, and hope that rot VIII
not require it Of me.
He finally agreed that lie wuuid not.
told him that would como beck .hprt-
ly to settle mp in full.
III went t. the bark AMI told them
wanted twelve thousand dollars ~ stat
script. They got 1t for me, AMI paid
them six tho olsand dollars in money for
it. Itook the twelve thousand do'la.'
in script, went up to the state treasurer
Office. and made settlement IN fhll.
taking Mr.. Conoyer'- receipt for It,
then put the remainder of the money,
six thousand dollar, in my pocket. aud
came home.
IL thought that | had ml1ra 1""'
trade. lpaid the state in it' own money
Besides, ! knew that the state adm'n's
tration would gobblo it all up and that
had Just as well saya that much.
After came home told "ha, ha'
done, and how had made a few thor
sands. Pretty soon was accused u
stealing the peoples money. Well, If
had stolen it, why did they not get i
back! had two good men on my bond
One il living to-day, and is worth nearly
one hundred Thousand dollars.
Shortly after this, Mr.. Selph morr'
from Hamilton county to Lake city
where he has resided until few month
ago. II he does not object, will Civ
YOU some other bits of his history whic'
may prove interesting AThthT'
4 Necessity ofthc Age.
As time rolls on in its ceaseless foun,
the fact is being more forcibly inpresse
upon the public mind that a well organ
lied, thoroughly equipped and properl
disciplined militia is a necessity o. th
aye in every state. National aud s!at
laws provide for the organization an
equipment of the militia, but IN tiorila
ss i'm a number Of other states, turtle
legislation is needed, and rules and re
ulations for the proper governm"nt q
the militin are necessary tol's create
efficiency.
One wise provision of the Florida mil
tia act is that they shall wear the regl
lation uniform Of the L. ). \. III" n,l
tia should be mustered into H." -ervie
of the state ~ a state guard rr M
ional state guard, for the militit is t.
ally as much national as a state guar,
and should be required to spsnd ~
week in annual encampnlent. Th" stat
could well afford to make small nnnu'
appropration for each nan and office
for attendance on stated drills and yea
" encampments. Every otiicer-irni
commander iE.chef down -hould
required to appear at all reviews and q
canpments in full dress uniform. II
, attendance Of all officers at the annuI
encampments is necessary in order thi
they NAV become familiar with the
duties and thus add to tire efficiency Z
. the service-fr without efficiency It
militia Is apt to be sn expensive lnSut
, The annual appropriation made !
} congress for the militia. Adjntant.fe
! eral Lang informs tis that Florida IL =
! titled to about tl,s10 for arming AZ
eouipping her militia, which includ
, uniforms. arms, ammunition, tenta, ct
) II bill now pending IN congre
should pass Florida s quota for miIit
purposes would be increased to aDo
100000, a sum sufficient to organize al
: la.aa Al eftiniant milf