The evening times., 1896-12-18
JURrs ACTION EXPECTED
Investigation Of Embezzlement
Case Of +. J. Kieckhoefer.
HIS ACCOUNTS SHORT s7,4s6
Accused Vas Formerly DisbursiDg
Clerk of the state Department
His Arrest Was the elimination
of an Investigation of His Ac-
counts-Out on $4,000 Bail.

The grand jury has taken action in the
case of Francis J. Kieckhoefer, formerly dis
bursting clerk OF the State Department, who
is charged on three counts with enbezZle-
ment OF certain funds intrusted to his care
while in government service.
1t has been over month now since the
grand jury began TO look into the case, and
nearly three vs. eeks since they arrived at a
decision. The District attorneys office has
been delayed, however, in the final prep
aration of papers, owing to the intricacies
OF the case.
A return of the finding of the jury Is ex-
pected in a day or two, and, it is urder-
stood, it is perfectly satisfactory to the
District attorney.
The accused was arrested in this city,
May "a last, by Detectives Carter and Cal
lagher upon the complaint of Edward j.
Renick, chief clerk of the State Department.
1t was the result OF an investigation.
started over year ago, when shortage
in the accounts of the disbursins clerk was
discovered.
ASKED To RESIGN.
Attbat time Mr.. Kicckhocfer' sresisnation
was asked for and on october 20, 500, lie
rendered it to the SECRETARY OF State, and
severed his connection with the department.
The accused is represented by Attorney
Arthur Ferguson and is at the present time
out on $4,000 ball. $1,000 in each of
three cases.
1t is said that his arrest at the time was
FASTENED by a rumor which reached the
department that Mr.. Kieckhoefer cuntenl-
plated leaving for Europe to join his wife
and daughter.
The acts charged against him are al
legged To have been committed previous TO
August 10, 1898, and the warrants read
that The accused was known to be an EN-
bezzlcr on that CiIte of the following sums
One amount OF S2,399. 40; one of SIS
229.ss, and one Of SIC ,s3T so, making a
total of S37 ,466.sS.
The money is alleged to have been taken
by MI. Kieckhoefer from he trust funds OF
the State Department, over which he had
control 1t is part of the 81 $4,000 short
age discovered by anexpert accountant in
the soldiers trust fund, the accounts OF
which were kept by Mr.. Kieckhoefer.
In explanation of his arrest Mr.. Kieck-
hoefer stated to a Times representative
that he had done nothing dishonest, and
IL there was a shortage he was sure that
IL WAS IfeTtiE IL CItIiCdi tiIui-
II is further charged against the ex-
official that he went to Europe in the
summer of 1895 to obtain his wife's sig
nature to papers. 1t is further alleged
that the paper in question was deed con
vcying certain real estate in this city to
a clerk in the State Department to be- held
in trust. The value OF the property was
supposed to be 100000.
HIS MODE OF LIVING.
About that time there were rumors that
the disbursing clerks manner of living
was more extravagant than his known in
come would warrant. 1t was alleged that
he was backing bookmaker named Frank
Barnard, who operated at the across-the-
river tracks, and that Darnard rd's losses had
been heavy.
This came to the att. alton Of the audi
tors department of the Treasury, and Mr..
Kicckhoefer was asked TO show the books.
This he refused to 90, claiming that the
auditors office had nothing to do with
him and had no right to request an exami
nation of his books.
The auditors office, however, considered
that there was sufficient evidence to war
rant an investigation, and it was begun a
once The result is said to have shown
shortage OF S12 600, and the outcome was
Secretary Olney's request for Mr.. kieck-
hoefer's rcsigna ton.
The friends Of the defendant claim that
when brought to trial he viii clearly es-
tablish his innocence of any intentional
wrongdo!ng.
Mr.. Hrney refused today to deny or af-
firm the reported action OF the grand
jury, but the fact that the papers in the
case have been for several weeks in the
hands of Assistant District Attorney Tag
CART is cited as evidence of close consid-
Grafton Of the matter.