The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-03-03
THE BOODLERS.
THE TRIAL OF WIN. Il. MILLIGAN FOR
WITHHOLDING PUBLIC MONEY.

minus VI eno PcoPio VI LIN oulle COuuty, anu
when it was announced last week that the
trial of VIM. R. Milligan, ex.sheriff Of this
great county was to open on Monday
the tidings went from Adams to
Groveland, and from Seneca to Peru, that at
last the horrible rumors upon which the pub.
lie mind had been fed for year and half
would be tried on their merits, and that JUS
tice, with her unerring scales, would de-
termine the guilt or innocence Of the white
haired man who has been bounded as relent.
lessly Is the foulest murderer In the land.
The case was called at 2:S0 o'clock on
Monday afternoon, with Judge Blanchard
on the bench. apd an boar or 50 later, Judge
Stipp relieved him for the remainder Of the
case. The selection Of a jury, on account Of
the crippled condition Of the CO., road, was
a very difficult matter, and it was not until
Tuesday evening that one was obtained and
placed under the snowy wing of Deputy
Yockey, who has gathered every jury since
Morrissey started the Boiler Iron Hotel.
Notwithstanding the strike, Doc. Norton
was in town bright and early, as were 9th.
ers of the investigating committee, and
when Mr. Moloney began his
OPENING ADDRESS
the court room was fairly packed from the
bench to the western wall, while many stood
along the side walls, and listened through
the great crack in the double doors. Mr.
Moloney said in substance: Milligan was
elected sheriff of La Sale county in Novem-
Der 1882, and took possession Of the office
Dec 4th, 1886. These delinquincies consist
of moneys collected and not turned over to
La Sale county. Before 1870, the sheriff
received all the fees collected and they wore
his absolutely. The constitution Of 1870
changed the sytem to salary system, and the
board fixed the salary Of the sheriff, which,
during his term Of Office, could not be
changed. The constitution Of the state says
that salary, expenses, clerk hire and all
other charges must be paid out of the re-
ceipts Of the Office actually collected. desire
to impress upon you the law in this case.
The actual receipts of this Office were $lS.-
600, while the actual amount drawn was
SIS, OOO while this does not include station.
cry, furniture, SC. Milligan's reports for
the whole term of his Office were all untrue
and false, until the last year; when the
dnapce committee got after him, and he
changed the form Of the receipts Each year
be was entitled to collect in salary, six dep.
lties, $4,650; his salary, $4,000, total &c.
$50, and If this amount was not collected he
had no right to draw it whatever. The on.
y part Of these salaries that he could draw
IN was his own salary, which If not collected
n fees, could be drawn from the county.
Under the head Of travelling expenses he
lrew 81, 1866 for the first half year. He
lid not collect it In fees, but from the coun-
y treasury, which was illegal. He drew
he same amount for the second half year.
IN Nov. 1883 he presented bill for travel
ng expenses of 81, 225. aud the next June
Il 1881 08 was claimed, but not allowed. Now,
you are satisfied that he retained the
81 ,496 and then drew 81 ,225 for the same
ervice, you are bound to End him guilty.
He never returned the moneys received
or attending upon the Supreme and Appel
ate courts which is paid by the state, and
,elongs to the county. These fees never
we're turned over.
In March 1888, he presents $23.S3 for
aking person to Elgin, and in July pre-
ents the same bill again. In March 1884,
le presents bill for boarding prisoners.
md charges the county for the same thing
gain in July. During his four years, he
presents $455 for travelling fees-for re-
sewing and discharging prisoners. He has
lrswn interest to the amount Of $45.63 on
IN order for SIS, 942 70, when be had no more
authority TO do so than man who never
. cid an order. When persons are taken 10
he asylums, if they are paupers, the coun-
y pays the transportation, and when not.
heir estates pay. He charged for all and
,ocketed all money received.
For the first year he drew $ll,l47,OO.
md for the first three years, $29,732 1t is
claimed that 1924, COO was turned back, while
$4,000 are conclusively shown to have
been drawn twice. and Sll ,365 for travelling
expenses. He called travelling expenses
he serving of the writs by his six deputies.
This is only sample Of how the county
has been charged for the services performed
~ the sheriff. During this time he was
charging 81 per day each for two deputies
n the Circuit court, one in the Probate and
,ue in the County court, per each working
lay in the year. Now we will show you BY
Judge Evans that VIM. Milligan did not
place deputy in his court room ~ days IN
he whole year, and yet he charges for ev-
Try working day in the year. Judge Gilbert
will testify that his court did not use dep
,ty more than one-third Of the time charged,
- - ann ebow that at no time were two