St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-21
WEEGO WENT WRONG.
Chaska's County Treasurer a
Defauitep to the Extent
OF $4,000.
Unfortunate and EXtpavagant
Habits Are the Alleged
Cause.
A Wealthy Butcher Of Spo-
kane Is Sentenced to the
Penitentiary.
Several Sad Deaths Occur
Throughout the North
western Territory.
Special to the Globe

Special to the Globe
CHAsKA, April 20.-Upon Friday aft
ernoon, April II, the startling rumor
became current in Chaska that County
Treasurer Weego was caught several
thousand dollars short in his accounts,
and ever since that time the utmost eX-
element prevailed. The circumstances
which led to the discovery OF the de-
talcatlOn are as follows: Thursday
evening at 7:30 o'clock State Deputy
Examiner Hon. j. p. West arrived in
town on the Hastings & Dakota train
and quietly went to the Sargent house,
where he took lodging and retired
early. lie was recognized by some of
the guests at the hotel. but his pres
ence did not become known in town I'M
til the following morning. He remained
in the hotel until the next morning
about Q o'clock, when he surprised
treasurer Weego in Simmons saloon
and informed him that he desired to
go with him to the treasurer's office
Immediately to examine his accounts.
as he was in hurry to get away. He
at one proceeded with Mr.. Weego to his
Office, and his books and accounts were
carefully examined and compared with
the money on hand and on deposit in
the Carver County bank, and according
to the statement of said examiner a
shortage was discovered of 81, 33422 in
the money that should be in the treas
ury according to the books, for which
Mr.. Weego could give no account. Ex-
aminer West Immediately 4ool possess
sion Of the treasurer'S Office and notified
the Carver County bank, the depository
of the county funds, not to pay any
more drafts, checks or county orders.
Treasurer WeegO Resigns.
On Saturday following, Mr.. Weego, on
the request of the examiner, signed a
resignation, directed 10 the county COM
misSioners, and the county auditor i'm
mediately sent out notices to the county
commissioners, calling an extra session
of the county board for the purpose of
appointing cottiatY treasurer to sue
Deed Mr.. WeegO. as they are by law re-
CURED. Speculation is rife everywhere
as to the probable causes that led to this
shortage, and unfounded rumors of all
kinds are afioat, but the most people at
tribute it to the unfortunate and rather
eXtravagant habits of Nj. WeegO. and
believe that the defalcatiOn extends
back for several years. and the money
was mlsapprOpriated gradually in small
sums at a time, and the fact that
the public examiner, the board of
county auditors and the grand Jury al
ways found and reported his accounts
to be correct, gives rise to the opinion
that Mr.. Weego always found some
Of y.nTc inn ~ ,1D..
it in the treasury during the time when
his books and accounts were examined.
Judging from statements that the eX-
aminer dropped, he already suspected
that everything was not exactly right in
Mr.. WeegO'S accounts, and. therefore,
aimed to take him by surprise. 1t is
reported that eX-TreaSurer WeegO has
admitted to several persons that the
largest portion of the shortage occurred
during his term of office commencing
January, 1889, and ending January, 1891,
and that only small portion of the mis-
sing money was miSapi r0priated by him
during his present term. The loss will
not fall very heavy on any of his bonds
men, as the defalcation probably dates
back for several terms. and each set Of
suretieS to his official bonds are liable
for that part of the shortage that oc-
Cured during the term of office for
which the bonds were given. Under
the law it devolves upon the board of
county commissioners to fill va
cancieS by appointment that may
happen in the office of county treas
urer, who holds the Office until |
the next general election. That body |
met i'll extra session to-day, and imme- |
diatey proceeded to appoint Mr.. |
Weego's successor. After thoroughly |
discussing the situation, they accepted |
the resignation of MIR. Weego, and then |
appointed Gerhard Bongard, of Cologne, |
on the first formal ballot as his sue
cessor. Mr.. Bongard is an experienced |
man enjoying the confidence of all who |
know him, and his appointment was
we'll received, and he will undoubtedly |
prove an efficient officer.
Another One in Michigan.
Special to the Globe.
MANIsTIQUE, Mich, April 2O-On a |
charge of ENLIGHTENMENT, DR.. J. E. Hes |
tep has been arrested at the instance of |
the supervisors. and other officers of |
Thompson township. For the past two |
years DR.. Hestep has held the office of |
treasurer of Thompson township, and |
before passing over the books and mon |
fessed to his bOndSmen that he was |
short to the amount of several hundred |
dollars. The doctor has been bailed to |
the amount of $4,000. An examination |
OF the defaulting eX-treaSurer's books is |
now being made, and it IS generally be- |
lieved that the shortage will not be less
that $1,000. DR.. Hestep came to this |
county about two years ago. He is |
Canadian, and claims to have been a |
graduate from q medical college in Can |
ada. The news of his deficiency creates