The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-01

cash. ana L, as head OF Tue ONCE, WAS supcrior 10
Kerr. When the cash was made up Tor deposit
Kerr made II. He could take any amount
he saw TT without instructions by me. l have
10 means OF knowing how much Kerr took, and
the books would not show. Ths books would
show the cash received and the difference be-
tween cash received and accounted for would
show how much was taken, but there would be
no means OF saying how much he took and how
much took. II is five or six years since he be-
gan 10 take moneys inm the Office. and lie was
In the Office iii eu or sixteen years or tnore lie
came TO The office after did, and have been
there twenty years. No one but Kerr and my.
self had access TO The cash. He would take
much he took or is In default, while my losses
were continuous and l did NOT pay back.
paper July, seven years ago; 1t cost sl5...
600. We had the work done and
Simpson was The editor. When Simpson sold
The horse Anteo lie bought the fresh dress for
the paper. i also went into partnership with j.
H. Mitchell and manufactured Mitchei's Magc
Lotion, held partnership papers for one-hait
Interest We worked IL up until II paid $500
month. but the business gradually sank 10 $50
month. / never asked Mitchell for my share in
the proceeds Following Is a correct recapiula-
ton of my losses; Loss on Breeder and Sports
man, S500o in betting $4,000; patent medi-
cines. $1,000; Inyo inyes ments, s5oooi loss IN
Amounts due ofice-Paper, $4,000; bank,
$4,000; note, Sl2, 900; deficit, $4,000; cash on
hand, S2s7l; balance, S471 20. Respectfully.
San Francisco, Feb IS. 1899.
Closer was the attention of jurors and
spectators as the statement Of February %.
1890, was read, as follows:
Another Confession.
San Francisco Call Compdny-GENTLEMEN:
In accordance with your request that give as
full and detailed account of the time and manner
In which | withdrew and used for my personal
pany, and the connection Of Mr.. j. Z. Kerr there
with also II said j. r. Kerr had used similar
FUNDS for his personal benefit, IL hereby sub
mttrd. This statement is written III a general
DeraIsn of In the form OF books.
ETC., being before me-, and in addition that no
general balancing OF the books of THE MORNING
CALL had been made for the period OF The past
six year. Hence my Inability TO tIace our actions
In regard 10 cash used In the manner L would
Ike aud in the detail you doubtless desire.
Mr.. Kerr and myself occupied In the Office OF
THE MORNING CALL the several roSlions OF
cashier and business manager, Mr.. keIrs duties
being TO ACT as custodian OF all moneys received
Il rom the several sources OF income appertaln-
ing 10 The business, make all disbursements aud
keep tina books relating 10 same, while my posi-
uon was that Of general manager of The sot1ice,
and Mr.. kerrs superior therein.
About fifteen years ago Mi. Kerr and myself
first commenced dealing In mining stocS specu-
latious These Investments were not made
joint but separate account, ana continued with
varying success, but in The aggregate large
losses, up 10 the spring OF 1889.
Dir. Kerr early showed Il love for horses and
desire to bet money on the results OF races. This
lie gratiiied 10 large degree, and in The main
was successful thereat.
About seven years ago Mr.. Kerr, myself and
Mr. j. {. Simpson OF Oakland started n weekly
newspaper known as The Breeder ana Sportsman.
Into this enterprise we each put not less than
$1,000 apiece up 10 March last, when Mr.. Kerr
aud jointly bought the interest of Mr.. Simpson
therein; and IN tie month OF April following l
sold to Mr.. Kerr my interest In tile same for the
sum of $500. which amount was turned into
TIE CALL office.
About two years go pool-rooms for the betting
Of money on Eastern horse-races were estab-
lished in this city Both Mi. Kerr ard myself
frequently bet money IN these places. In the
case OF Mr.. Kerr l lieYe tie habit was stopped
s. hafarA he 10
while in my case the passion became stronger
and was indulged in daily until the 2lsI inst,
during which time lost large amount OF
money.
l also about a couple of years ago. purchased
an Interest in proprietary article, and in SEEK
Ing 10 bling II before the public lost $1,000 be-
fore stopping. 1 also invested about $4,000 In
reclaiming and otherwise improving tract OF
Government land IN lnyo County In neither of
these investments did Dir. Kerr have any In
terest whatever.
In gambling upon horse-rAces, in mining
stocks and Ia The Investments before enumer-
aIed, all actions OF Mr. Kerr and myself were
separated, win The single exception OF the
Breeder and Sportsman enterprise. The funds
OF The nffice, however, were frequently used by
both. Tue common custom was, while Mr.. Kerr
was cashier OF the Office. for me to get money
from him when wanted, although having KY
TO the safe. al times supplied myself. When
MI hsrr used the money, being custodian
thereof. he naturally took what he wanted.
Mr.. Kerr has at several Times returned 10 tie
Office considerable SUNS OF money and u short
time previous 10 his leaving the Office, In June,
1859, claimed that the amounts hr had thus re-
turned at different times thus equaed the az
gregate OF any and all sums OF the Office which
lie had appropriated TO his own use. Matters
were IN this sgate when the Flanant suit was
filed. Upon the first publication OF this notice
Dir. Kerr asked me for written ae.no@ledg.
meRt excuIpatlng him Ia ihe premises. This
at euee gave In words 10 this effect: " hereby
acknowledge that whatever shortage exists Ia
the funds OF the San Francisco CAL
Company Is ehargeabls TO me and that
J. p. Kerr Is not responsible therefor"
ut n m n Lt.at rtNEr
that this was the true situation, because
as stated before no balancing OF cash had been
made for several years, nor had the books be n
written up, nor was there any investigation
whatever al lie time for the purpose OF csab-
fishing the fact. Ii was based merely uDOa sup
y hasty glance had yesterday al the state OF
paper account OF the time Of Mr.. Kerl's leaving
leads me 10 lie belief, however, that il could
be possible that was wholly responsible FOR the
large shortage which the present condition OF
affairs indicates then existed. Since ar. Kerrs
discharged his former dulles Of cashier and
book-keeper. Respectfully, JOHN WHITE.
San Fro1leisco Fsb IS, 1900
This important batch of testimony having
been disposed Of Mr. Pickering WAS re-
called.
He said that on February "a, 1890, he
went to the business ONCE of The CALL aud
asked White how much paper he had on
hand White answered about 5000 or $1,000
worth.
81 then asked him." continued Mr.
Pickering, how much money he had in the
bank of Donohoe, Kelly 81 Co. He answered
about 5000. | then looked him squarely in
the eye and said: Mr.. Whits. have you
really got $500 in the bank?' He then
came out and said he had greatly wroIged
me; that he had no paper In the office and
warehouse as he had previously stated, but
that he owed $4,000 for paper. then asked
him about the bank and he said he was over
drawn $4,000. l asked him what he had
done with the money and he said he had
gambled 1t away Oh h0rse-races; that he had
spent some of it Oh the Breeder and Sports
man, aid that he had put some into land in
lnyo County and in San Joaquin County. He
seemed affected, and while relating how he
had come to take the money brooks down
and cried. | sent out for Mr.. Fitch, my
partner. also for Mr.. Mastick, who repre-
sents the Simonton estate, and Mr. Crothers,
both OF the last two being attorney and
for Mr. Boyle. What occurred at the sub
se9pent interview | have already related"
II. r. HurIbut, who has charge OF The
CALLS advertising department, testified
that it was part of his duty to check off
advertisements. While Kerr was cashier
Hurlbut when acting as counter clerk
gave him the money. Upon Kerr's retire
ment White took his place. The money
was either given TO White or placed upon
his desk. White was the cashier from June
9. 1889, to February "A. 1890.
On May l, 1888. White turned over $1,000.
and said that was the balance due on ac-
count of the Tulare Land Company for ad-
yertiSlDg. This was money, he said, he had
received from j. G. Mccall. Subsequently
Mr.. Mccall showed me a receipt for money
paid for advertising by the Tuare Land
Company. 1t was signed by John White,
and was for $1,000. The books showed the
Indebtedness to be over $1,000. The entry in
the cash-b0ok Of the payment Of S12o0 is in
Whites handwriting. In the m onth OF
January, 1890, White turned over S227 IL,
which he said was the balance due OH w.
j. Heney's account for advertising. White
said the settlement had been made with
him. There was a balance of S247 due
which White said he had credited Honey
with because he had obtained some furni-
ture on his private account.
During his cross examination Hnrlbut
told how the advertising business OF The
CALL was conducted. but his direct testi-
mony was not shaken in the least.
As the hands Of the courtroom clock
pointed to the hour Of 4. an adjournment
was taken until 10 O'Clock this morning
TOLD A SAD STORY.