Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-09
EMBEZZLEMENT IS CHARGED
John N, Lane is Placed Under Arrest for an
Alleged Shortage.
ACCOUNTS OVER TWO THOUSAND SHY
Local Freight and Ticket Agent of
the Chicago, Milwaukee & st.
Paul Railway in the
Laws Clutches.
ACCOUNTS OVER TWO THOUSAND SH

surprise was sprung in local railroad
circles yesterday afternoon when 1t became
known that John NJ. Lane, freight and
! ticket agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St Paul railway in this city, had been ar
rested on a charge of embezzlement The
information charging Mr.. Lane with embez-
element was filed in the court of Justice
Ferrier yesterday morning by F. NJ. Robert
son, travelling auditor Of the railway COM
pany. Mr.. Lane at once gave bonds
in the sum of $500 for his appearance be-
fore Justice Ferrier tomorrow morning.
The arrest OF Agent Lane followed the
checking of his accounts by Auditor Rob-
ertson from Chicago, who has been at work
on the books here since Wednesday last,
but no intimation had been given that any
thing was wrong or that there was any
shortage in Mr.. Lanes accounts.
Inspector Geddes of the Surety company
arrived from Chicago yesterday morning
and at once, after a brief consultation with
Auditor Robertson, went to Justice Fer
rier's court, where he filed an informa-
tion. The arrest of Mr.. Lane was carried
out with the greatest secrecy, and it was
not until late in the afternoon that 1t be-
came known that such had transpired.
Mr. GedQeS WneD dSkeu LOT particulars .
declined to talk beyond admitting that the
checking up OF Mr.. Lanes accounts had
developed what appeared to be a shortage
OF considerable amount, but he was hope
full that things would straighten themselves
out in a few days. Auditor Robertson also
declined to discuss the matter, but when
pressed admitted that he had been engaged
since Wednesday last in checking up Mr.
Lanes accounts at the depot and city ticket
office and that there appeared to be
shortage of a large amount What the
exact amount was he said he was not at
this time permitted to make public
Lane Gives Bail.
The same secrecy was maintained at Jus
tice Terriers office and no information was
forthcoming there. Justice Ferrier stated
that an information had been filed and that
Mr. Lane had given bail for his appearance
Monday morning, but declined to say by
whom the information had been filed. He
admitted that the amount with which Mr..
Lane was charged with being short in his
accounts exceeded $4,000 An examination
of the court docket showed that no entry
had been made Of the information. issu-
ance of the warrant or the arrest.
Mr.. Lane spent the day in company nth
the auditor and Inspector Geddes, and about
4
to Omaha. He appeared to be very nervous
and declined to talk about the trouble be-
yond saying, 81 am in trouble and have moth
ing to say about it,
Agent Lane has held his present position
in this city for about fourteen years, coming
here from Dakota, and is one Of the most
popular railroad men in this section of the
country. His friends. and almost every one
In Council Bluffs can be counted such,
are loath to believe that he has been guilty
of any misdoing, and feel confident that the
trouble will be Strengthened out to the salts
faction of all concerned. II shortage does
exist his friends feel confident that he is
not responsible for it and that he never used
any OF the company's money that he was not
entitled to. Mr.. Lane is a married man and
lives with his wife at the corner of Eight
eenth street and First avenue. Both he and
Mrs. Lane are social favorites, and his do
mestic life was of the happiest. AS far as
is known he had no expensive tastes and
was generally regarded as a man of exem-
plary domestic habits.
Amount of the Shortage.
1t was ascertained last evening that the
amount which Mr.. Lane is charged with
being short is 1884. The information
charges him with larceny by embezzlement
and was filed by r. NJ. Robertson. travelling
auditor for the railway company, and not
by H. L. Geddes, the inspector of the bond
ing company, as first reported C. R. Han
nan, cashier of the First National bank,
signed Mr. Lanes bond.
Travelling Auditor r. NJ. Robertson went
to Chicago last evening, but it is understood
he will return here Monday morning. He
has taken charge of both the ticket and
freight offices and during his absence Will
Butler, cashier at the freight office, will
have control.
After Mr.. Lanes return from Omaha yes
terday evening, he went to his home at
First avenue and Eighth street, where he
refused to see anyone or discuss the mat
ter.