The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-01-09
WIN. PORTER IN TROUBLE
He Embezzles $1,000 From
the Buford & George Man
ufacturing Co., Of
Kansas City.
ARRESTED AND PLACED In JAIL.
He Lived Too High for His Means,
and It's the Same Old Story.

The news that viii Porter had en-
bezzed So 900 from the Buford & George
manufacturing Co., of Kansas City,
came to Lexington as a thunder-clap
from a clear sky. Porter was reared
here, and had a host of warm friends in
this city. He was considered an exem-
plary young man by all who knew him.
The INTELLIGENCER and this commu-
nifty regret the occurrence, and had the
matter not been generally advertised,
the account of it would not now appear
in these columns. However, we clip
the account or his arrest from the Kan
sas City Times, which is as follows
William Ii. Porter. for many years a
trusted employee of the BufOrd ~ George
Manufacturing company, implement
dealers at 1871 West Thirteenth street.
occupies a cell at the county jail with a
charge of embeZZlement placed against
him. lie is charged with taking 5000
the best circles in this city, and his en-
ployes had implicit confidence in him
until yesterday morning. He acknowl-
edged his guilt when accused of the
theft.
Porter was the firms cashier, a posi-
ton he had filled with the utmost salts
faction to his employers for the past
three years. Previous to that time he
was what is known as confidential clerk
and bOOk-keeper. He entered the en-
ploy OF the firm nine years ago, when he
was but 10 years of age, and had been
advanced steadily. Therefore it was a
great surprise to ii. Il. Duke. secretary
of the company, when he was informed
Yesterday morning by a friend that
D.-e,r IAl loo, lsT-r ln-o,1 L.,
means and spending money recklessly.
Mr.. Duke was lOath to believe the
grave charges, but he determined to in
vestigate. He stepped into the private
Office yesterday morning at $50 and
found Porter deeply %engrossed at his
books.
"Will, did you strike a trial balance
the first of the Year," he asked.
Yes, sir; | did"
Let me see it"
Porter handed Duke q statement show
ing the amount of money the firm was
supposed to have on hand, and also the
amount on deposit at the different
banks. The last part of the statement
showed a deficiency over the former of
$1,000 and MI. Duke asked Porter where
the money was. Mr.. Duke, in speaking
of the matter last night, said:
when | asked Porter what he had
OOllO viii liz LlOAiCO liz ilhlIS mo Atdo
for several seconds and said: MIR.
Duke, | really do not know how | dis
posed of the money. | have zone of it
left. l took it, l admit, but it slipped
from me like an eel"
Continuing Mr.. Duke said: I'VE
er requested Porter to furnish a bond.
| would Just as soon have thought of
asking either of my partners to furnish
a bond as to have asked one of Porter.
lie enjoyed u fullest confidence and
that was the reason why he IA able to
take the money without detection. You
may say for me that the charge against
Porter will be pursued. There is too
much principle involved to permit him
to escape with a settlement.
An investigation of the books yester-
day by an expert accountant revealed
the fact that since June, 1894. Porter
had taken very close to $1,000. Since
November 10, of the past year. he had
taken 81 600. The o was taken in
sums of $25, $50 and 800 at a time.
The detectives who are now at
work on the cas- are searching for mon
ey and jewelry which it is claimed Por-
ter gave to a saloonkeeper a few days
ago. He has been for the past year
what is known as a ''high roller spend
ing money with a free hand.
Mr.. George states very emphatically
that no compromise will be made with
Porter. He swOre to the complaint,
charging Porter with the enlightenment
and the arrest was made by Fred GeiSt,
clerk at Justice Cases court. Porter
submitted quietly to arrest, and was
taken the office of superintendent Conk-
lin of the Pinkerton agency, where he
was kept during the afternoon, and
closely questioned. He was removed to
the jail just before supper and locked in
cell with George Ross, the Pacific
Express company embezzler,