The Russellville Democrat., 1891-08-20
\ SENSATION!
Joseph l.. Bay, Export Esprescntiag Ex- Treasurer woodruf4, Arrested,
 Charged
WITH STEALING sIoo. 900.
rhs Warrant sworn Ont ny rreasurer h. B. Morrow and Executed Mon-
 day Afternooa.
The Funds Alleged to Have Eesn Stolen and Defaccd Were Five Per Cent.
 Intersst- Rearing Scrip.

Intersst- hearing Scrip.
 From The Arkansas Democrat Aug. IT. l One of the first acts of the legisla- ture during the last session was the adoption of 6 joint resolution raising committee from both houses 10 in- vestigate the books and accounts of ex Treasurer Woodruff.
 J. l.. Bay, an accountant from Hot Springs, was selected as one of , the clerks for said committee, and served through the entire session. He had been employed iii the investi- gation following the discovery of the l Churchill dedication several years ago, and was considered an expert.
 He handled the various scri1s, Bonds and coupons with which the state treasury is encountered last winter during the legislative in- quiry and was familiar with every detail in that department. He knew all about the different kinds of scrip, where they were kept and how they were registered. His knowledge of the bonds and coupons was as thorough as could be obtained from a two months investigation, which he had prosecuted with great dili- gcnce, even working in many in- stances as late as o'clock at night. It cannot be doubted that he knew as we'll as any other man, excepting Woodruff, just what funds were alive and what were dead and where they belonged.
 When the legislative investigation closed bill was passed authorizing the governor, auditor and secretary of state, as Q state board, 10 com plete the examination of Woodruff's accounts and make final report. This beard organized soon after the adjournment ot the legislature, with J. H. Shoppach as clerk, for the pur- pose of making thorough investlga- ton of tho condition of the treasury. J. L. Bay, who had gone through l the legislature in the service of the state, was employed to represent and act for ex- Treasurer Woodruff in the l investigation to be made. As is welt know this investigation has been dragging along since soon after the legislature adjourned. At different times during it's progress significant hints or complaints have reached outside from the board of questionable securities and scrips rendered and asked to be credited to ex- Treasurer Woodruff 8 account. Up till about ten days ago Mir. Bay had access to the vault in the treasury. He was supposed to have charge of the scrips, bonds and vouchers for which Woodruff claimed credit, and kept them in tin boxes which remained in the vault. He was not, however, supposed to have access to any scrips other than those on which credits were claimed, and had access to these only that he might tender them to the state board in the course of the investigation.
 About ten days ago Treasurer Morrow, who has done all in his power to assist the board in reaching a conclusion but has, nevertheless, kept close watch on the treasury as faithful officer should, discovered that over $1O0,0 ,000 in interest bearing scrip, which had come down from Page, who was treasurer some twenty years ago, had disappeared or had been locked in one of the boxes to which Bay carried the key.
 Thereupon Treasurer Morro v charged Bay with having the scrip. and the latter, admitting the charge, unlocked a box labelled "Woodruff vouchers, ]" and turned over the script to the proper custodian. It was believed then, however, that some of the scrip had been mutilated and after wards rendered to the state board. Since that time this suspicion has been strengthened.
 This morning Treasurer Morrow went before Justice T. w. Wilson and swore out the following war rant:
 AFFIDAVIT FOR WARRANT or ARREST. | County of Pulaski. Big Rock town ship-I, R. B. Morrow, do solemniy swear tha. J. l.. Bay, in said county of Pulaski, did, on or about the first day of August, 1891, commit the offense of grand larceny by then and there taking, stealing and carrying away $l00,000 in state script and disfguring the same, the property of the state of Arkansas, and pray warrant from T. w. Wilson, justice of the peace for said county, to apprehepd and bring said J. l.. Bay before said justice, to be dealt with ac- cording to law.
 lSigned.l R. B. MORROW,
 State Treasurer.
 Sworn and subscribed to before me this, August F, 1891. T. W. WILSON,
 Justice of the Peace.
 The following witnesses were ordered summoned:
 | Governor J. F. Eagle, Auditor w. S. Dunlop, J. H. Shoppach, special clerk, ex Governor T. J. Churchill, J. C. Peay, Sam J. Churchill, WI.