Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-25
Charged With Making Wrong En-
tries In City Books.
HIS ARREST is a SHOCK TO FRIENDS
Amount Involved Is Said to Be $40
Has Been in the Employ Of the City
But Few Months-cIalms He Re-
celved None Of the Money Whatever.

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From Mondays Daily.
The city was startled early this
morning, when John H. Wright, ste
nographer and clerk at the city hall,
was arrested by Chief of Police John
NV. Gray, upon the charge of emhezz-
ling city funds. Wright was taken
completely by surprise and when con-
fronted with the alleged crime by Chief
Gray and Street Commissioner McIn-
erney, for whom he has been keeping
time, he is said to have confessed his
guilt He was arraigned before Judge
Moon in police court and his prelimin-
ary hearing was set for 9 o'clock We'd
nesday morning. Wrights bail was
fixed at $500 and in default of which
he was remanded to the county jail.
The city officials say Wrights
alleged peculations cover a
period of little more than
two months. The amount as far as
i known with which Wright is charged
with having taken is sl41.70.
Mayor Pckler Suspicious.
The alleged peculations of Wright
were FIRST suspicioned by Mayor Pick.
Ter about week ago, who mentioned
his suspfeiohs to MI. ~Arrison, q clerk
in the oaty clerks office, and close
watch was kept on: Wright. Mayor
Pickler's suspicious were at first
aroused by the manner In which
Wright has been living. He concluded
the young man was spending more
money than his salary as clerk at $40
per month would permit. After watc4-
ing matters for q few days, Arrison
concludad that there was some room
for suspfeion and yesterday AFTERNOON
IN company with Mayor Pickler, Chief
Gray and Alderman Keefe, went over
the books which Wright had been
keeping They soon discovered dis
crepancy, and this morning Chief Gray
swore out warrant for Wright, and
he was placed under arrest shortly af-
ter he had arrived at the hall to go to
work.
How It Is Alleged He Secured It.
The manner in which Wright is said
to have secured the money is very in
genius. He kept the payroll of the
street commissioner, and when a man
would work out poll tax instead of
giving him credit for that, Wright ls
alleged to have drawn a voucher for
that much money as time put in for
the city. The books show that the
first wrong entry was made April 15,
when charge for $1.80 was made.
This was alleged to have been kept up
until the money which he is charged
with having drawn amounts to $14170.
II was drawn in small amounts, rang
q ing from $1.S0 to $21.60. Wright is
charged with having used the names
OF four different men in his work, all
Of whom worked poll taxes, and very
seldom worked for the city. Their
names are Barney Fallon, Andrew
Stifan, j. P. Johnson, James BaggS
and N. Foster. The manner In which
the work Is said to have
been done was very simple.
When the mems names were turned
In by Street Commissioner McInerney,
Wright Is alleged to have put the
amount of work in as having been
done for the city, and when the cnun-
Gil allowed the payroll he would, it is
said sign his own name to the voucher
and 1t is alleged drew the voucher him.
sell.
Began April is.
The work is alleged to
have been done on s April 15
May and 30, June and II
and it is alleged he was preparing
to do more of tne same work on the
next pay day, Monday, July L.. The
name of G. q. Toole, who has been do
ing poll tax work, was put upon the
payroll, as having done work for the
city, in the same manner as the Other
men.
He Broke Down.
Wright was confronted with his al
legged crime by Mayor Pickler in the
city hall this morning, and apparently
was greatl# surprised. He nearl.
tainted WHEN the mayor told him ht
had been caught, and asked for mercy
The mayor told him there was no sym
pathy to be extended and told him hi
would have to stand. the consequence.
OF his act. Shortly afterwards h,
was arraigned before Judge Moon, anc
upon Wright's request his trial wal
fixed for 8 o'clock Wednesday morn
ing. In default Of $500 bail he wa,
taken to the county jail.
Wright Interviewed.
Wright was later interviewed by
Courier representative and admitte,
that he had signed the vouchers, bu
claims that he will be exonerated OF
his hearing. He said he did not ge
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