The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-04-06
The Eyans-Funk Matter.

Mr. Kelly as an available man.
The Eyans-Funk Matter.
A daily sheet, in its Sunday issue, ACQUIRED
Judge Daniel Evens of the Probate court, of
receiving and retaining money under false
pretenses, viz: Having received $1,000 from
John Funk. which was to have been used in
the settlement of the Reddick will case, and
put il to his own use.
The FREE TRADER man interviewed Judge
Evans at the earliest opportunity and re-
quested him to give his version Of the affair.
The Judge said that while the will case was
pending in court, Elizabeth b. F. Reddick
employed him to take care Of her interests,
and effect settlement of the case as soon as
possible, guaranteeing him fee of five thou
sand dollars. Before he could act in the
matter Miss Reddick died. Then her heir,
John Funk, came to him and requested him
to settle the case in some manner, and ne
told Funk Of the agreement between himself
and Miss Reddick, but agreed to bring the
case to settlement if Funk would pay him
81, 500. He told Funk that A. j. Reddick
was willing to settle for $4,000. but that MIR.
Duncan, attorney for Reddick and the other
contesting heirs would not settle unless more
money was paid. lie said nothing to Funk
about paying this money to any one else, and
if Funk did no, understand the matter he
was lsboring under mistake. The fee had
been honestly earned, and according to the
regular practice in law he was justified in
accepting it. He had given Mr.. Funk re-
ceipt for the money for professional services,
and the receipt so read.
"Did you at any time tell Funk, or init
mate to him that the money was to be used
in any other way than as payment for your
services in etfecting the settlement"
"No." The only ground or reason that |
can think of in accounting for Funk's idea,
is my remark concerning Mr.. Duncan when
said that he would not settle for $1,000,
and wanted more"
In answer to question, Judge Evans said
that he could furnish proof that Miss Red.
dick employed him, but could not prove the
amount offered him by her.
The Judge characterized the accusation as
an infamous lie, concocted by his enemies to
cast his name into disrepute, and said that
he would give his maleigners an opportunity
to prove their assertions.
The FREE TRADER man then called upon
Mr.. Funk, and asked,
"Mr. Funk, did you at any time pay
81, 500 to Judge Evans? If you did, for
what purpose and under what circum
stances
81 did pay Judge Evans that amount. He
wrote me several notes, requesting me to
call at his office, and at length did 80. He
took me into his private office and locked
the door. He talked in whispers. He said
that If | would give g, 300 he would settle
refused to take less than $4,000 The ex-
ecutor would giyo $1,000 toward the settle
ment and should give the give the S2, 900.
We could get thus near !enOugh to the
100000 to satisfy Duncan and Reddick, for
thew must he satisfied -
"Did you take receiptH'
"Yes. Here it is"
march 10, 1887.
Received from John Funk twenty five
hundred dollars for and in the settlement of
controversy in the Reddick will case, and
for the professional services connected with
said settlement, made this 10th day OF
March, 1887. DANIEL EVANS"
"TLe Judge told me-" said Funk, "that
the professional services part Of the receipt
was put on there as blind, in order to guard
against future compiled tons
ADO you remember the exact language
used by the Judge in your talk, or in any
part of it,"
"No, do not
"How did he arrive at the sum rs 81. 5OO!"
" He figured it up and showed me what
my share W ould be, according to what l had
received. lie said that Duncan was away
and that he would be back in few days.
Everything was to be kept in the utmost
secrecy. Everything depended on Duncan
was not to communicate with the executor
or anyone until the bargain was made, for
if Maloney snd Blake heard of 1t, they
would stop the settlement. A few days
later he said that the transaction must al
ways be kept a profound secret. If had