The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-22

Deputy Public Examiner Henry Koerner
returned yesterday from Chaska, where
he, in company with Examiner Davis,
made an inspection Of the books of mis-
sing County Auditor Bongard.
Mr.. Koerner states that In conducting
the examination only transactions since
the first of the year were included, as
the examining board at that time gave
Mr.. Bopgard g. clearance. and the money
taken was presumably since the first Of
the year. The shortage as stated in the
G b e, will be in the neighborhood OF
$500.
I am not able to say what will be done
towards making good the amount to the
county Mr.. Bongard has some wealthy
relatives, and there is some talk of MAX
ing up the money by his family and re-
lieving the bondsmen. The bond is sup
posed to be good, and is signed by about
dozen influential Carver county citizens.
Mr.. Bongard's defalcation was a sur
prise to every one in the county. I knew
him very we'll. as he lives but three
miles from my home. and he was re-
garded as one Of the most upright men in
that locality. He is the third county
treasurer that has left for parts unknown
and the fourth that has been short in his
accounts.
. From the information that we were
able to secure it is. evident that Bon
gard paid a large number of debts with
money taken from the public funds. The
books Indicated that he collected taxes
and would frequently give credit on the
books for but half the amount collected.
When the time came to advertise a sale
he would make the amount good. He had
to borrow a good deal Of money from
time to time to make this good, and while
it is largely acmatter of conjecture it
is believed thatSthe cash taken since the
first of the year, went ito pay these debts
for borrowed money
mo one hasiithe slightest idea where
he went from minneapolis. He changed
the combinations on the safe, which ac-
counted for the delay in getting through
the inner door. Mr. Bongard was interest
ed in a mill, which may have had some
thing to do with his predicament, as it
was said that he speculated in wheat, al
though we weresunab1e to find any direct
trace of it. 81 -
From the examination which we made,
and the other evidence which can be pro-
cured, there is Eenough to indiet him on
a criminal charge, but 1t may not come
to that, as arrangements will probably
be made within Sort time to make the
amount good.
mo one ever dreamed that Bongard
was short in his accounts The county
auditor never checked up his tax list, or
he would have doubtless discovered Mr..
Bongards system of crediting q part
payment of a tax; and later on making 1t
good out Of his own pocket. Many be-
lieved that his mill venture was a heavy
drain and as stated, responsible for the
whole affair. InT1is letter to his family
he stated that he was. going, he knew
not where, and would work night and iday
until he was ables to make goodsbheF short
age. His ia nrilY dive on a farm, just out,
of the. city that iss7mertga ged for 81, 000."-
The following.gis a. copy of Mr.. Bon
CARDS communication to the board. of
county commissioners, II ii ~,
t:Having been robbed second time on
my collection trips ito Hollywood and
WATERFOWL the first time was three years
ago, whichN was in hopes of making UP
by the end Of my term, l did not say
anything about it. as 1 knew there was
no use, and 1 had to make it up anyway,
but now comes the second, which will be
impossible to make up. The money was
stolen from me during the night, l think.
&c. Bongard. -
''P. S. When came ito figure up my
collections I found that I was short be-
tween So, 500 and $4,000 on the whole trip,
besides the other time. This broke my
heart and set me half insane, have suf-
fered as no other man can suffer. Still
1 would not care SO much for myself, but
for my relatives and family and friends.
There may be some mistakes in the
books, but I cannot find them'
Mr. Koerner further stated that one OF
the bankers told him that Mr.. Bongard
could have had any amount of money he
would ask for, and, from what he learned
while at Chaska, Mr.. Bongard would
have been able to have raised the neces-
sary amount within a short time, as his
friends had that confidence in him. 1t
was a fact, however that he acted some
what strangely prior to his disappearance.
and from the late entries on the books it
was evident that he was not in his right
mind Numerous other creditors besides
-411 1aas.s aln fy,y-