The San Francisco call., 1897-12-18

hare has been a rumor in circulation to
the effect that ]. R. Johnson, Sheriff aud
Tax CoIIector of tnis county, had aD'
seconded with varlouSy estimated
amount OF monev, the proceeds OF TAX COL
Iec,ious, For a time the report was cnar-
acterized as idle and malicious. Dut tins
morning Under Sheriff Phdo Handy re-
n ,rted 10 District Attorney S:urteyant
ihat there was u shortage OF a bout 5000 IN
the Tax Collectors office. which was only
dIScovered after a final balancing OF the
cash book and asse sment rolls. Oturte.
vant at once investigated the matter and
mis- afternoon notified c. T Smith, chair
man of the Board of supervisors, OF the
stains of affairs at the Collectors ofnce.
chairman Smith Immediately COM
mnnicated with the various members OF
the board requesting them to meet IN TINS
CITY at the earliest possible moment IN
order that proper action might De TAKEN
under the circumstance
From what can be learned OF the affair
at this time, it seems that when Mr.
Johnson left this city some three weeks
ayo. ostensibly in pursuit OF the Boone
willie outlaws he had In MS possession
funds to the amount already appro&l-
mated. Some time before Johnson's de-
parture, it was reported that as admins
traitor of an estate IN course OF PROBATE IN
Souoma County johnson was some S3UOO
sGort IN his accounts. he had bsen re-
peatedly urged TO make settlement, but
on various pretexts postponed the matter.
II He is finally said to have been clteo 10 APP
pear and show cause at u date IN the near
future, and it is possible that TINS may
have been responsible to some extent Tor
his departure.
Johnson before he left here paid all
bills which he owed, and on his arrival IN
San Francisco sent large supply OF p1o-
visions anu clothing to hls family here.
I iah 10 r. 10 aIT11f n n a "a
Johnson in San Francisco shortly after
he lett here, and state that at that time he
had shaved off his mu >tache.
Many OF Johnson's friends claim that
he will return shortly and explain every
thing and that the alleged shortage may
be due to an error il he books, which
will be unearthed when the books are
overhauled. This was Johnson's second
term as Sheriff and Tax Collector, and he
mas always been credited with being
competent and efficient collector and a
brave officer. OF necessity, much OF his
work was entrusted to his deputies, but
he was extremely careful in the selection
of his assistants. Tho county is amply
projected by IN e bond flied by johnson.
D-puty Sheriff Virgil Johnson has gone
TO San Francisco in search of his fatner,
IN whose innocence he Is a firm believer.
Sheriff johnson has lived here for many
years and has an interesting family, con-
sIsting Of a wife and four children, for
whom much sympathy is telt. At the
meeting of the Board of Supervisors,
which Chairman Smith in an interview
this evening stated would be held in all
probability on Monday next, action will
be iaken by the proper authorities looking
to the removal of Sheriff Johnson, his ap-
pre- ehension AMI the appointment of his
successor
In the meantime w. F. Thomas has been
pIoyed 70 expert the Collectors books,
that the exact amount of the shortage
may be ascertalned