The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-07
CLAY CENTER Woe
Members of Big Drinking Club
Are Excited.
Large Stock of Liquors Sud-
denly Disappears.
MONEY ON DEPOSIT.
Complaint Made to Inspector
That Bank Won't Give It Up.
officers Say They Are Ready to
Pay to Proper Persons.

Clay Center is involved in a local
quarrel, the result of the recent city
election in which the supporters of the
joint policy for the city administration
We're defeated. One of the drinking clubs
composed of a membership of about 400
OF the leading citizens failing to secure
possession of a large sum of money on
deposit in the local bank took the con-
troversy to the comptroller of the cur
rency and c. S. Jobes, national bank
examiner, went to Clay Center to look
into the matter
A letter to the Journal today tells the
following story of the trouble:
The city election in Clay Center was
against the policy of licensing joints.
When the campaign was warming up
the joints closed but it seems that the
two joints which had been running laid
in a good supply of wet goods expecting
victory at the city election.
zone Of the clubs known as the Far
mers and Merchants had stock OF. over
$500, according to invoices when they
closed. The club also had an account
of $789.90 in the First National bank.
After an invoice was taken a new
lock was put on the door and the key
turned over to the cashier of the First
National bank
AOOQl tel QdyS Wn6u the UlTSC-
tors met to dispose of the stock, all the
liquor was gone. Suspicion was attach
ed to various persons but no definite in
formation has been obtained concern
ing the liquor.
ITO cap the climax when the board
of directors Of the club met and or
dered the secretary of the club to draw
out the funds in the bank for James
Royal, former bartender, the officers of
the bank refused to pay the checks.
The directors employed Davis and
Miley who at once took the matter up
with the comptroller of the currency.
c. S. Jobes. bank examiner for Kansas,
came to Clay Center and examined the
matter, the parties at interest thereaf-
ter making the following report:
Clay Center May 4, 1900.
C. S. Jobes, National Bank Examiner,
Dear Sir:-Referring to the matter
of $3.50 80 belonging to what is known as
the Farmers and Merchants club of
this city and county, which is in the
hands of the undersigned as treasurer
of said club and which is the subject OF
controversy between members of said
club. The only controversy so far as ]
am concerned is to determine who said
funds should be paid over to. Stano
ready to pay over said money and dis
burSe the same in any manner as may
be the expressed wish of a majority OF
the members of said club whenever such
expreSSiOnsiS presented to me in writing
and signed by such majority member
ship. In explanation of my position in
this matter, it should be understood
that the F. & NJ. club is not a corpora
ton and has no legal existence, but is 9
body of individuals composed of ovel
four hundred members who have equal
interest in said funds. My purpose is
to pay over said funds when I shall pay
the same in such manner as viii relieve
me of just criticism in making sucf
payment. The demand so far made fol
| this fund l do not regard as represent
| ing the wishes of a respectable minority
of the membership of said club and fol
this reason alone I have declined to pa!
over said funds upon the demands here
tofore made. Respectfully,
E. L. LINDNER.
I hereby guarantee that the funds
above referred to will be paid owe
promptly in accordance with the allow
stipulation. D. H MY Frs.
Petitions are now being circulated tt
| get the money out of the bank.
| This controversy is the raging sensa
ton of the town and the talk is that tn
bank will be sued by the directors TO
| damages for refusing to pay the check
and for the goods which have disap
| peared."