The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-11-13
HIS ACCOUNTS ARE SHORT.
John X. Bugg Arrested for En-
bezzlement.
Was a Trusted Employe of the Nash
VILE Gas Company.
From the Nashville American /

From the Nashville American
John r. Bugg, who has been a
trusted employee of the Nashville
Gas Company for more than ten
years, was arrested at Mckenzie
about 80 o'clock this morning on a
charge of embezzling funds belong
ing to his employers.
The arrest was made by City
Marshal A. d. Bryant, of Mex enzie,
on telegram from Chief of Police
J. H. Clack. The exact amount of
Bugg's alleged embellishments are
not vet known, but a shortage of
81 300 has been located already and
it may reach $4,000.
Bugg was the bill collector of the
gas company and for some time past
his accounts have not been satisfac-
tory. Within the past day or two
evidence has been discovered that
made it plain to his employers that
he had been collecting money on
bills which was never turned in.
From evidence on the books of the
company in the way of irregular en-
tries it was found a few days ago
that Bugg's embezzlements cover a
period of at least eight months. 1t
seems that he would collect bills
and in the absence of the gas COM
pany's bookkeeper would mark them
paid on the books, and in this man
ner eluded detection until only a
few days ago, when he was con-
fronted with the charge.
From information of a reliable
character cleaned by an "Ameri-
can" reporter last night-or, rather,
very early hour this morning
Bugg admitted the charge in so far
as to acknowledge that he had taken
money for which he had failed to
account since the 1st of November.
He denied having taken anything
previous TO that time. Further in
vestigation of the company's books
pointed strongly to this statement
being false, and Bugg was informed
that the agent in Nashville of the
Fidelity & Deposit Company, OF
Maryland, which was on his bond
was to be told of his shortage.
This frightened him, and yesterday
he fed from the city, having left
about 2 o'clock, as near as could be
found out.
John A. Baxter & Co., agents for
the Fidelity and Deposit Company
in question, was informed of Bugg's
shortage about 4 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon by H. L. Sperry, Secretary
and Treasurer of the Gas Company
Mr.. Baxter at once took active steps
for the guilty mans apprehension
He had discovered that Bugg had
gone out the Harding pike to Belle
View, where he purchased ticket
to Mckenzie. Mr.. Baxter wired to
the conductor Of the train which
Bugg was suspected to have boarde ed
and in reply received description
Of man who had ticket for Nc
Kenzie that exactly tailed with
Bugg. Thus strengthened in hi:
suspicious, Mr.. Baxter notified
Chief Clack, who at once telegraph
ed to Mckenzie for the City Mar
shall at that place to arrest the suspi.
ciOus parsonage. The man was ar
rested Immediately upon the arriva
of the train, as chrOnicled above
and papers upon his person identi
fed him as being Bugg. A receip
for $156.12, signed by H. L. Sperry
was found among other things, alsC
money to the amount of 1856 ant
some odd cents.
City Marshal Bryant wired Capt
Clack that he would bring Bugg t,
Nashville on the train which arrive
here at7:25 o'clock this morning.
John r. Bugg is about So or
years of age and is well known ant
well connected in Nashville. Hi
home is at 9l4 Berryhiil street. H
has a wife, who is absent from tn
city on a visit. They have no chill
dTen