The San Francisco call., 1897-02-13
NAVAL PAY CLERK
ROBS HIS Chief
Paymaster Semmes of the
Adams MiSplaces His
Confidence.
Intrusts $1,000 to Morris GOWN,
Who Disappears Imme-
diately Afterward.
The Case Reported at Washing ton,
and the Training.Ship's Cruise
Is Postponed.

VALLEJO. CAL, Feb. 12.-The United
States training-ship Adams, with a hum
dred apprentices on board. steamed quietly
up to the navy-yard Thursday afternoo n
and made fast to the buoy abreast of the
sawmill.
Very little was known about the cause
OF the vessels return, as to-day she was to
have steamed away from Richardson's
Bay. to be gone for q period of six
months on a sort of rowing com mission.
1t has leaked out, however, that the
paymaster of the ship, Assistant Pay
master Francis J. Semmes, q. S. N, had
nearly $1,000 stolen from him by his pay
yeoman, Morris GOWN, in whom he and
every one else had heretofore placed the
utmost confidence. GOWN had been an
apprentice-boy in the navy, served on the
Ranger and on the Adams on the last
cruise, and had always been found trust
worthy. When it came to selecting a
clerk for the paymaster of the Adams
Gown was chosen, but retained his rate
OF pay yoeman, not wishing to lose the
chances of securing q continuous service
certificate, which he would do if he re-
signed and accepted the appointment as
pay clerk.
The commandant of the yard, Admiral
Kirkland, upon being notified of the theft
OF the money, instead of holding an in
vestigauon by correspondence immedi-
ately ordered the com manding officer to
bring the ship to the island, and this
morning he personally investigated the
case. Commander Watson and Paymaster
Semmes were sent for, and in the COM
mandant's Office made a detailed state
ment OF the affair.
1t appears that the paymaster was sent
to San Francisco to purchase supplies, and
also to draw in the neigh borhood of $1,000
either from a bank or the sub-treasury
and send it aboard ship. GOWN was sent
with the paymaster. After the articles
had been purchased and the money pro-
cured the latter was given to Gown to take
oil to the ship, as the paymaster intended
remaining ashore for the night. This was
week ago to-day. Instead OF going to
the ship as directed to do by the paymas-
ter the gay yeoman took French leave"
The following day, as soon as it was
learned that he had skipped with the
money, search was made throughout the
City and a small reward offered for the de-
serter.
The investigation developed the fact that
the paymaster had placed too much con-
hdeDCe in the honesty of the man, and
that while in measure he was bIameless
for the loss, he or bis bondsmen would
have to make the money good to the Gov
eminent.
Walter D. Bollard, who for a mum Der of
years was the pay clerk at the naYy-yard,
was this morning appointed by Paymaster
Semmes as his pay clerk, and the appoint
m ent was i'm mediately forwarded by tele-
gram tor approval By the Secretary of the
Navy. Pending the answer the Adams
will remain at the yard, and as soon as re-
ceived will Immediately go TO sea on the
six months cruise. This morning sails
were loosed, and when turled at noon
the boys on board went up the rigging
and lay out on the yards like old sea-
men.
If Gown. who is a bright, affable, good
looking, medium sized man, is retaken
he will be brought to the island and tried
by ourt-martial. 1t is thought that by
this time he is back in Philadelphia, where
he formerly resided.