Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-01-23
". H. WinsCott Under Arrest.
TAKEN FROM ST. LOUIS TO CO.
LUMBIA ON A CHARGE OF
ENLIGHTENMENT.
The Sturgeon Bank Trouble Causes an
Indictment to Issue Against Him
Satisfied He Can Give Bond.

SATISFIED he Gan tive BOND.
W. II. Winscott, formerly a citizen
of Mexico and well known here, is,
unfortunately, again in trouble over
the Sturgeon Bank matter. Mr.. Win
scott was taken from st. Louis to Co.
lumbia Tuesday night by the Sheriff
of Boone county, having recently
been indicted by the Granny Jury of
that county. Attorney w. w. Fry, of
this city, went to Columbia to-day to
make arrangements for a bond for Mr..
Winscott.
The st. Louis Globe Democrat speak
ing of the arrest, says.
VIM. Fl. Winscott was arrested at
Judge & Dolrh's drug store, Seventh
and Locust streets, last night by Sheriff
Stockton, of Columbia, Mo-, and two
local detectives on an Indictment from
Boone county, charging him with en-
bezzling the funds of the Sturgeon
Bank, of Sturgeon, Mo-, while cashier
of that institution. The embezzlement
was found out last June, and amount
ed to $500, of which sum Winscott
made restitution to the amount of
about $4,000.
The bank subsequently went into
the hands of a receiver, and an indict-
ment was found last November.
The arrest last night was not with
out its exciting features. Winscott
was employed as nightrclerk at the
drug store. He went on duty about
7 O'Clock, and the two detectives, who
were waiting for him, entered the
store and made the arrest. Winscott
at first did not know what to make of
it, and in his surprise grabbed his re-
volver, which was on the counter
back of him. He did not use the
weapon, however, but surrendered to
the officers, who turned him ove to
Sheriff Stockton. The Sheriff accom-
panied Winscott to his home, 4219
Olive street, SO that the prisoner
could prepare for the trip and notify
his family of his arrest.
Three hours were spent at the
house, after which the Sheriff and
Winscott went to the Union Station
and boarded a train for Columbia, Mo-,
the county seat of Boone county.
Winscott's bond has been fixed at
$4,000 by the County Court, and before
leaving last night he said that he was
confident of getting bondsmen, and
he would be back in st. Louis by to-
morrow morning.
Winscott comes of a well known
family in the north central part OF
Missouri. His father is Squire j. ].
Winscott, of Mexico, Mo. His brother,
James H.. Winscott, is a prominent
merchant of Sturgeon, Mo. Winscott
was cashier of the Sturgeon, Mo.
Bank for eight years. His salary
ranged from $500 to $500 per annum,
and from time to time, SO he says, he
appropriated the funds of the bank te
support MS
Last June, not being able to stand
the strain any longer, he called in the
President and other officers of the
bank and made a complete confession
acknowledging the embezzlement ant
fixing the amount of the shortage al
50, 500. State Bank Examiner Austin
| chorflv offorxuar nd uyapt nuar tho hook.
of the bank and found the amount ap'
proximately correct.
Winscott consulted his wife anl
then turned over all his property te
the bank officials His home in Star.
geon was valued at about $500. He
also signed over his life Insurance.
policies to the President of the bank
No criminal proceedings were Drougnt
against Winscott at the time, and he
was assured by his former employers
that they would not prosecute him
provided he made an effort to make
good the shortage. Last August Win
scott, accompanied by his wife, LEFT
Sturgeon and wentto C~hiilicothe, Mo.
remaining there a week and then com
ing on to st. Louis.
In October last the Sturgeon Banl
went into the hands of a receiver, ant
he is now winding up its affairs. Il
November the Grand Jury of Boom
County found an indictment agains
Winscott for embezzlement, but TO
some unknown reason the arrest wa
not made until last night.
Both MIR. and Mrs. Winscott wer'
seen at their home, 4219 Olive steet
last night, before the formers de
parture. Mr.. Winscott was averse t.
discussing the case, but appeared +
have no apprehensions as to the III
innate outcome of the charges againt
him.
Mrs. Winscott was considerably agi
tated, as the arrest of her husban
had taken her by surprise. In fac
neither of them expected that th
warrant would be served as q frien
of theirs from Columbia, Mo-, ha
recently written them that they nee
have no fear OF A criminal prosecr
ton.
!, MI. Winscott had been employed
Judge & Dolph's for only q week an
previously worked Ut q drug store o
Franklin Avenue.