The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-27
Short In. HIS ACCOUNTS
The Seaboard Checking Up the
Fernandina DefalcatiOn.
Agent LuLenbiII Not Yet Placed I'm
to Embezzlcment - Contends That
the Amount Is Smnll-The Deficit,
However, May Reach $4,000.

FERNANDINA, Fla. Nov. 26.-The re-
ports that Z. d. Lukenbill, for many years
agent of the old Florida Central and Paci-
| fc Railroad here, and later of the Sea-
| board Air Line, has been arrested charged
with a shortage of $4,000 are not quite
correct. Mr.. Lukenbill resigned last week
and made a request to railroad officials
| that his accounts be checked over. He
confessed then that he thought he would
be short small amount, but how much
he could not say.
Experts were put to work, and it is re-
| ported, though the railroad officials re-
fuse to confirm or deny, that they have
found evidence that the shortage will be
perhaps $4,000. Said a railroad official
tonight:
1T is all guesswork at present 1t may
be small sum, but the probabilities are
that it will be considerable amount,
how much, no one can say as yet. We
had every confidence in Mr.. Lukenbill, and
he has been connected with the road for
many years, always with satisfaction. What
is the reason OF this shortage We have no
means Of knowing at present. Mr.. Luken-
bill and his friends claim that when the
amount short is fully known they will
make satisfactory settlement. No arrest
has been made as yet, but il the shortage
Is found to be as rumored, he will be ar
rested doubtless and have to stand trial.
He is bonded, but for what amount can
not say as yet"
Lukenbill has been a prominent resident
here and high roller In a small degree.
He is quite popular. and has a large circle
OF friends. They all express confidence in
him, and say that good explanation can
be made of the charges against him.
NORFOLK. Va, Nov. 26.-General Man
ager st. John repeated his refusal to make
any statement for publication regarding
the alleged defalcation of a clerk of the
Seaboard Air Line at Fernandina or Ie-
veal the name of the clerk. He said:
Say that we are now investigating the
matter, and cannot make any statement
for publication at present since that might
defeat the ends of Justice"
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Nov. 26.-There
have been public rumors for the past
week that a clerk of the Seaboard Air
Line at Fernandina was short in lis ac-
counts about $4,000 or upwards. No de-
tails could be ascertained and railroad
officials refused all information.
Tonight there are rumors of an arrest
made there. but nothing SO far has teen
definitely ascertained. 1t is known that
d. H. Ground trusted employe OF the
Seaboard Air Line at Portsmouth, Is in
Fernandina now and has taken charge OF
the railroad affairs. A leading banker
here stated tonight that the railroad
would check up certain mans accounts
early in December and that then all would
be known, but SO far it was only suspi-
cion and rumor.
NEW YORK Nov. 26--E. d. Lukenbiil.
agent of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad
at Fernandina, Fla, will, it is expected
at the district attorneys offices here. be
one of the witnesses against Chester B.
Lawrence & Co., the firm of alleged |
stock brokers whose members are under
bail in this city. Assistant District Attor- |
ney Byrne said today when Lawrence In
derhill, his manager, and Wolbert his |
bookkeeper were arraigned again. that he |
had been informed without any details |
that an employee Of the road had lost some
where between $4,000 and $4,000 speculat- |
ing with the firm, and that Lukenbill would |
join the array of complainauts.