Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-07
DUvAL sELPHs "REMINISCENCES.

Row He POcketed Sc, 900 When Treas
urer of Hamilton County.
WeJ}60rn, FLa., q rrespondencs Jacksonville
Times Union.
A great deal has been said and written
recently about the oelphs, OF Lake City.
SO much has been written that they are
known, by reputation, throughout this
country. Mr.. Duval Selph, who was in
dicted at the fall term of the Circuit
Court at Lake City last November, for
shooting at the Daughterys. has not yet
come 10 trial for said charges, and is now
at his wite's lather's. Mr.. Jacob Ellis, who
lives four miles from this place.
Mr.. Seph comes in once or twice a
week, and, being great taiker, 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 rather too severe on bin,
and that he is charged with all the mean
ness he ever did aud has never had credit
tor the good acts Of his life. Thinking
that some OF these incidents in regard to
himself may be or interest,
u will give your readers
one, Of which a great deal has been said
This refers to ms acts while Tax Collector
for Hamilton county during Gov. Reeds
administra tiOn. | have often heard it
said that Duval Selph. while be was Tax
Collector for Hamilton county, had stolOn
$1,000 or s. 600 Of the peoples money, but
never heard the particulars Of it from any
one except himself, and now give it TO
your readers as re ated to me few days
ago. Mr.. Selph said
During Gov. Harrison Reeds admins
tratiOn concluded that ! would like TO
be Tax Collector for my cCuaty. l was
acquainted with the Governor. so / went
to Tallahassee in 1863, saw him, and told
him that ! wanted the appointment as
Tax Collector for my county. The Gov
ernor replied that If the representatives.
OF the county would recommend me he
would make the appointment. The rep
resentatiVes made the recOmme ndatiOn
and | received the appointment. l came
home and proceeded TO discharge
the duties of the Office. l held
the Office two years. AT the end OF my
term | Went TO Tallahassee TO make a
final settlement with pr 5. B. ConOYer,
the State Treasurer. | carried with me
$l2 600 in Unit d States currency. When
| arrived at Tallahassee deposited the
money in the bank. l went up 90 the
Treasurer's office. saw COnover, and told
him that / had come TO make final set
Element. He looked In his desk aud got
out piece Of paper, and handed IT 10 me.
I look at IL, and read about AS follows:
u do s0lemnly swear that i Will pay over,
as near a. pos sible, the identical money
that | have collected as tax collector. or
It's equivalent in money inst as good
"Said |, mr., COn0yer, | don't like 10
take that oath, and hope that you will
not require it Of me-
"He finally agreed that he would not.
/ told him that | would come back short
" TO settle up In full.
81 went To the bank and told them l
wanted St2,00O in State script. They got
II for me and paid them So, 900 in monet
for 1t. took the $4,000 in script, weny
up % the State Treasurer's office and
made a settlement in fun, taking Mr..
COnover's receipt for II. / then put the
remainder Of the money, $4,000, In my
pocket, and came home.
81 thought that | had made good
trade. paid the State In It's own money.
Besides, l knew that the State adminis-
tration would gobble II all up and that l
had just as well save that much.
AFTER / came home l told what
l had done. and how / had made
a few thousands. Pretty soon
was accused OF stealing the peoples
money. Well, n had stolen IL why did
they not get II backi had two good men
on my bond. One is living today aud is
worth nearly 100000"
Shortly after this Mr.. Selph moved from
Hamilton county 30 Lake City, where he
has resided until few months ago. III
be does not object, will give you some
other bits Of his history which may prove
interesting.