The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-04
CITY CLERK SHOWS UP SHORT.
FITZGERALD INvEsTIGA TING THE
AFFAIRS OF CLERK kABRICH.

He Disappears From That Place Os-
tensibIy to Visit Relatives in Indf-
ann-His Resignation Received
Later and Investigation Is Said to
show His Accounts at Least 5000
ShOrt-Arrested, Escapes From
Officers, and Later Expresses His
Willingness to Return-An OfHcer
Sent to Chicago to Bring Him
interchangeable VIII Lose Moth
ing.
Fitzgerald, Ca, Sept. S.-Fitzgerad has
been a little startled the last few days
through the investigation OF the office of
city clerk by special committee appoint
ed by the City Council some ten days ago.
who have already found shortage of
nearly $780, and the investigation not near
completed.
II. II. Kabrich was elected city clerk in
the winter of 1896. and from all appear
ances everything was running along
smoothly until he left here on July 10,
ostensibly on a visit to his relatives at
Milford, Ind.
Before leaving he Informed the Mayor
and City Council that he was going, to
be gone until about the middle of August,
and would then return to take up his du-
ties as city clerk. He put his effects in
charge of the Mayor.
The next heard of him was from Mil
ford, Ind, and in a letter to the Mayor
said that he would not come back, but
that he would know in few days, and
If he got the job he was after he would
send in his resignation.
In few days after the receipt OF the
letter another one was received in which
his resignation was enclosed, which will
be submitted to the City Council at their
next meeting, Monday morning.
The first year of the city government
he was appointed tax collector by the
City Council, but under the change Of the
charter for this year. il was made the
duty of the treasurer to collect and re-
ceipt for all taxes collected. By private
arrangement with Mr.. Clark, the treasur-
er, a former Savannah boy, continued to
collect taxes as an employee of the city
treasurer. Settlements would be made
one each month and on each occasion the
clerk always accounted for every dollar
which the stubs of tax receipts showed
collected. The amounts on the tax re-
ceipts stubs were always entered on the
tax digest. From the evidence obtaina-
bic Kabrich, unknown to the treasurer,
used another tax receipt book and from
this receipt book issued receipts that
would not be accounted for in the month
ly settlements. The first thing noticed
that there was something wrong was a
receipt from the Hotel Dempsey, which
was issued from one of these receipts to
the amount of $45. 1t was signed Harry
Kabrich." On examination results the
fact that $500, possible 81 900, was collect
ed in this way.
Attorneys here are divided In their opin-
Ion to whether the latter form of re-
ceipts Is any protection to the holder in
the event the city Should attempt to COZ
lect the tax again. OF course, the Council
will require the treasurer to make good
the loss and he says he will do so.
Kabrich was arrested a few days ago
by the marshal of Milford, Ind, on
telegram from Recorder Moore, but he
evaded the marshal and made his escape.
In letter TO the Mayor dated at Chicago
yesterday he said that he was ready to
return if transportation was sent him. His
request has been compiled with and an Of
ficer from Macon has been sent after him.
Kabrich had just made arrangements to
purchase a Democratic paper at Warsaw,
Ind, and publish 1t In partnership with a
friend of his at that place.