The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-16
MAPES SUICIDES.
The Postmaster of Kansas City,
Kan, Kills Himself
Short in His Accounts With
the Government.
HE SHOOTS HIMSELF.
Deficit of Over $4,000 Discov-
cred by the Inspectors.
Downfall Attributed to Love
for Liquor.
HE SHOOTS HIMSELF.

KANSAS CITY, No, March 16-Post-
master Frank Mapes of Kansas City,
Kan, one of the best known Demo
Gratis in the State of Kansas, commit
ted suicide by shooting himself at his
home, Ills Washington avenue, yester-
day morning. The cause of his suicide
was the discovery of a shortage in his
accounts with the government.
The discovery had just been made
by Inspectors Sutton and Reid of the
postofice department at Washington.
Rather than face the charges of official
dishonesty Mr.. Mapes took his own
life The affair has created a sensa-
ton in Kansas City, Kan, and in this
city. The last time Mr.. Mapes was at
the postoffice was Friday night. The
inspectors arrived Thursday and began
the inspection of his books. They have
not yet completed the examination,
but have ascertained that the amount
Of the shortage will be between So, 900
and $4,000. Thursday and Friday
they found some discrepancies in the
book accounts of the Office. The post
master, SO the employees say, always
kept the books under lock and key,
and would not allow anyone to handle
them. The shortage extends over
twelve months, the inspectors say,
and was covered up by false entries in
the books and in reports sent to the
department at Washington.
That Mr.. Mapes had contemplated
suicide for time is proved. Nearly
two months ago he was in this city
drinking, when one of his friends
found him and chided him for his
bibulous habits, telling him that he
would certainly make trouble for him
self with the government He re-
I'D -, l..
have good time, and when trou BILE
came he would stop it all with pistol.
His friend paid little attention to the
words at the time.
The friends of the late postmaster
attribute not only his shortage but
also his death to excessive drink.
They say he had been drinking heavy
for the past six months, and in that
way squandered the money of the gov
eminent. His associates have tried
time and again to get him to quit
drinking, but it seemed like it was
impossible for him to abstain. He was
generous to a fault, and would share
his last dollar with a friend or any
person in need
Is No inspection of the Office had been
made since Mr.. MAJ pes was checked in
three years ago. He was an excep-
tiona1ly well qualified business man
and expert bOokkeeper, While the
shortage was growing for many
months, his reports were so skillfully
prepared that o suspicion was aroused
until the last report was examined.
Something in it caused it to be re-
viewed and the department at once
ordered Inspectors George Sutton and
w. L. Reid to proceed at once to the
office and inspect the records and check
the business thoroughly.
He leaves wife and three small
children. He WAS "a years of age and
had lived in Wyandotte county over
thirty years. He was a prominent
Mason, Knight Tenplar and Sinner,
and also a member of the order of
Elks. He carried SIS, 500 life insurance
His bCndsmen are in charge of the
Office.