The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-10-31
FORGERY Is CHARGED
w. G. Renwick, a County En-
pfoye, Arrested.
HE PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE
And the Charge May Prove to He Mis-
take-OverwOrk Claimed for Errors,
II There Are Any.

SPOKANE, WASH, Oct. 2S-CorrespOndenc
William u. '. Rsnwick, accountant for
Spokane county and deputy auditor, is
under arrest, charged with embezzlement
aud forgery.
Apparent discrepancies were discovered
some time ago and Mr.. Renwick was placed
under espionage. Auditor Peel, with the
approval Of tho commissioners, then trans
ferred HIM to another branch of the service
where he would have no opportunity to
handle public funds, pending thorough
Investigation.
After the close OF business Saturday
MS relations with the treasury were
partially checked up and it appeared
that lie had appropriated $40 OF
pubic money. further examin-
alton was made yesterday in the hope
OF nndlng Offsets 10 clear the accountant Of
the susp con resting upon him. but the
deeper the investigation the more con-
vlncing to the Investigators were the dis
closures as to his guilt. Upon consulta ton,
therefore, Auditor Peel, the county comm s.
sioners and Prosecuting Attorney Fenton
agreed that an Investigation by the courts
was necessary.
Put Under Arrest.
"A complaint was prepared by the prose-
cutting attorney aud sworn to before Justice
Wood by the auditor, accusing Mr.. Rem
WICK Oh two specific Counts. A warrant
was issued and served by Deputy Sheriff
Harry Humphrey ut the residence of the
accused in the Lindelle block
The enlightenment allegation in the COM
plant is that on the strength OF an indebt-
edness to road district, No. IA, Kenwick
drew warrant, payable to bearer, for $50.
and collected the M. ney from the treasurer,
making the record show still due the roed
district $3.50. The forgery charge is based
on the collection of SCI on a warrant drawn
in favor of Con Harrington, supervisor of
road district, No. "a, Renwck signing Mr..
HarringtOn's name 10 the stub in the war.
rant book. The remainder Of the missing
$40 is thought to have been obtained by
similar methods.
Bonds for $500 in each case were fur
nished with Frank z. Weymouth and II.
Il. Curtis as sureties for appearance Novem-
Der 10, before Justice Wood, for preliminary
examination.
Protests His Innocence.
MI: ksnwick expressed great surprise and
humiliation when arrested and earnestly
protested his innocence.
u prefer TO make no statement at this
time" he said to newspaper rep.
resentative at his residence last night, .lor
the reason that l am almost to, ally in the
against me. I shall 20 over to the court
house in the morning and request permis-
sion to inspect the books with the view of
clearing up the Misunderstanding. think
everything will be explained to the salts
faction OF all concerned. have transacted
great deal Of business for Mr.. Harrington
and other road supervisors as we'll
as farmers Of my acquaintance, and
have frequently been empowered to draw
warrants in their behalf for the pay ment of
taxes and for other purposes. At times.
when overcr0wded with work, was unable
to make proper entries Immediately, and
had to depend upon memoranda. In some
instances the amounts drawn were deduct
ed from credits at the end of the month, in
stead Of being charged up but the balances
would come out all right in the end. With
reference to the two particular warrants
cited in the information against me, / can
not speak advisedly without further infor-
nation. l only know that have not mis-
appropriated one dollar and this am sat
isiied l can clearly establish. If there are
apparent discrepancies it is because had
too much to do.
Mr.. Renwick came to Washington from
Minnesota and in Tacoma occupied posi-
ton similar to The one held here. His Gre
dentials were first class and during his res
idence in Spokane he has been highly re-
spocted in the best circles. He is q men,
Der of the Episcopal church and promi-
nently identified with st. David,s in Lidg.
erwood Park. He has young wife, who
Is now i'll. His friends are DESTROYS of Oh
taining hearing earlier than November 10.
That date was fixed, it Is said, on account
Of accumulated business demanding the at
tention Of the prosecuting attorney.