The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-11
GONE WITH MEMBERS PAY.
CASHIER slLcoTT MOVES TO CANADA
Nearly a Hundred Thousand Dollars Stolen
From the Sergeant ut Arms of the
HoUse-Fast Horses and Fast
Women the Cause.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-When the house met
this morning the speaker laid before it the fol-
lowing communication from J. p. Leedom. late
sergeant-at-arms of the house, directed 10 the
speaker: 81 regret to report that c. +. Silcott,
late cashier of the Office of the sergeant-at-
arms, has departed from this city without set
Ting his accounts, and have teen unable TO
ascertain his whereabouts. There is deficiency
in the cash of the Office. In view of these cir
cumstances, respectfully request an immed-
ate investigation of my accounts, under such
action as the house of representatives may take
in the premises" A committee, which will
meet tomorrow to begin its investigation, was
Immediately appointed.
The history of the case is as follows: Silcott
was a trusted employe who came here from
Ohio and was appointed by Mr. Leedom when
that gentleman assumed office six years ago.
He had good business qualifications and soon
possessed himself of the unlimited confidence
of his superior. Last Saturday he notified Mr..
Leedom that he was going to New York and
would be back Sunday night. A message was
received from him Monday morning, dated
Monday morning, saying that he was detained
but would reach home that night. A similar
message reached his wife in this city. As he
did not appear Tuesday, MIR. Leedom was fear
full that he had been overtaken by some acct
dent. but to satisfy rising suspicious, began an
investigation. The information that Silcott
had drawn his bank balance deepened these
suspicious and the inquiry was pursued. The
enormous office safe could not be opened at the
moment, as Silcott had the combination, but
when an entrance finally effected. it was
found that some $4,000, set apart for the use OF
the paying teller, was intact. The next in
Of fha
and Mr.. Leedom was stunned by the result.
He was informed that Silcott had called there
Saturday and had drawn about $4,000. 1t was
possible for him TO draw this large sum with
out exciting comment, as he had for long
time been charged with the duty of collecting
the money with which the salaries of the
representatives are paid.
Silcott is under bonds in the sum of $4,000,
his sureties numbering about fifteen persons.
This is, however, an indemnity bond given to
the sergeant-at-arms, and Mr.. Leedom, who is
himself bonded in the sum or $4,000, IS
directly responsible for the shortage.
The first news of the state of affairs came
out Just before the house met at noon to-day
and there was an exciting scene in the Office of
the sergeantat-arms Mr.. Leedom, who was
sitting in the rear of his Office, was surrounded
by a number OF members OF the house who
were rendering advice of all kinds. The most
practical suggestion was adopted at once by
Mr.. Leedom, who appeared to be completely
unneryed, and unable to act for himself, and
kilograms were dispatched to his sureties nOti-
fying them of Sicott's disappearance, and ex-
pressing a willingness to cooperate fully in
every effort to find him and secure the return
of the missing funds. Outside the banlS-ike
railing across the ROOM stood another crowd
OF members, evidently anxious for
themselves as for Mr.. Leedom, as they
put many queries as to the amount OF money
left in the safe, and the prospect OF getting
their salaries.
Mr.. Leedom says that he would have trusted
Sicott with any sum of money. lie knew Sill
colts brother we'll and believed that Silcott
himself was entirely trustworthy. So firm was
he in this belief that he had even hesitated TO
begin the investigation, which has had such a
disastrous conclusion, fearing that Silcott had
been sandbsgged in New York, or had been
detained by some untoward happening. What
to 90 next ne does not yet know, and is seek
ing advice. He was just about to turn over mis-
Office TO the newly-elected sergeantat-arms, Mr.
Holmes, but this event necessarily delays the
transfer