The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-04-21
DE- LARGY'S SHORTAGE
Crushing Financial Blow to
Court Litt1ejohn
A. O. F.
The TREASURER ARRESTED.
S757 Missing-A Salary claim to
0ffset-Hard Luck
Indeed.
lHE TREASURER ARRESTED.

treasurer John DeLargy, OF Court Lite
tlejohn No. 5000. Ancient Order of or.
esters' Benefit Society, is confined in
cell at Police Headquarters charged with
the embezzlement of sT56. 95. funds Of the
Court. De Largy is held in $4,000 bail.
He was arrested last night by Constable
Budden. arraigned before Justice Weed
and committed. His shortages Iextend
back over a term of three years.
De Largy is forty-three years old, has
wife and family and resides at No. BAG
Grove street. He is boss truckman and
has always been considered prosperous.
His arrest has caused no end of excite
ment in Forestic circles. 1t revives the
haps to Court Littlejohn, which is the
county.
De Largy was one of the charter MEM
bers of this court, and was an interested
worker in its welfare. Shortly after the
organization of the court the Treasurer,
one Mr.. Shippen, embezzled about $50.
This was severe setback for the court.
and disbandment was seriously .contern-
plated, The court was revived, put on q
firm foundation and was in a prosperous
condition. The failure of the old Mechan-
les then caused loss of $500, and once
A conference of the members
who remained loyal to the Court was
held. and 1t WAS decided that In future all
court monies should be held by the
Treasurer and not deposited1in any saw
ings Institution. Three years ago the
ty. John De Largy was chosen Treas
ursr, and he filed bond for $500. Alex
ander Milne, one of the trustees OF the
court, held it. A few months ago, In de-
stroyinp some old papers, he tore up the
bond, and since that time the court has
not had any protection.
TROUBLE BEGINS.
Prior to last October, De Largy rend-
cred reports, all Of which were entirely
satisfactory TO the other officers. About
October l number Of complaints were
made by members to the effect that De
widow the 500 death benefit due her on
her husbands account. His explanation
aroused suspicion. At every weekly
meeting he was directed to submit report
of the financial standing of the court.
He promised to do SO, but the desired re-
port was not forthcoming. De Largy
then created greater suspicion bv remain
ing away from the meetings. Finally an
Investigating Committee, Of which
Thomas Rowman was made chairman,
was appointed to investigate the Treas
urer's books, and the Investigation re-
suited in the discovery of De Largy's
shortage. The committee was inclined to
be lenient with the Treasurer. but 1t is
alleged he took such an offensive position
that it was decided to make him answer a
charge of embezzlemept.
If De Largy fails to secure bail before
this evening he will be committed to
the County Jail to await an Investigation
by the Grand Jury. When De largy was
arraigned before Justice Weed last
night he demonstrated the fact very
clearly that he has consulted a
lawyer as to what course he
should pursue in his defense, BY asking
the Court if treasurer of an incofDor-
ated body was not emitted to a salary.
| The Court replied in the affirmative. and
De Largy at once stated ID was his 1nten-
| tion to put into the court bill fog SER
yicts rendered Of S7oe, The case will be
hotly contested, and many spicy develop
ments are expected.
De Largy has stated to his most intin-
ate friends that he used the courts s
money because of poor business and SICK
ness in his family.
The embezzlement of SO large Q sum OF
money will probably bankrupt the COURT
and cause disbandment, unless sister
courts come to the rescue.