The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-27
PLAIN TALK By
MAYOR TAYLOR

Continued from First PaEc)
in the book while it was in the Gas-ln-
spector's office it was not likely that ne
did so between F.? and , o'clock for there
was danger of his being detected. lie
was INCLINED to think that MI F.pps COM
mitted the forgery while the book was
in the Auditors office.
Mr.. Shelton did not recall the exact
fine when Mr. Williams called his atten-
ton is his suspicion of forgeries, nut II
was III the neighhorhood of 10 CLOCK.
Auditor Warren advised that nothing
hastv be done, but to proceed caltious!s'
The Auditors and the Treasurer DOORS
were carefully compared and 1t soon
became apparent that We're lfres uii' i.io'''
81 THE CONFESSION.
Mr.. Shelter. III describing the COMES
sion of Mr.. Epps. made to himself tNr.
Warren, Mr. Mccarthy and treasurer
Phillips. said the young man toio an
about the false entries ana Called
ton to some that had not peen olsco'-
cred. He wept like child
Mr. Mccarthy said to him: cecil, let
me SEQ if there is not something can
do for you; YOU know / am an olllclal
and must perform my duty, but you neeo
COUNSEL
Mr.. Shelton suspended Mr.. Epps ana
told MI Warren 1T was up 10 iillii
Mr. Warren said he was going TO dinner.
and in the meantime would consult 'ii ~,
CITY Attorney Mr.. Warren told them ali
to keen their mouths shut in the mean
time.
air. Shelton said nothing was SAID dur
ing the conference i'll the Auditors oflce
about the arrest of Epps or OF taking any
steps to prevent his escape No one told
Epps he had better get away as quickly
as possible.
CITY Treasurer Charles II. Phillips first
learned OF the irregularities about 1890
in the morning Clerk Williams called his
attention to the figures. he went over
some ofsthc figures with Mr. Shelton, and
at his suggestion the matter was reported
! to Auditor Warren.
The young man fell Down and asked II
nothing could be done for him MT NC
Carthv said: with all this staring YOU
in the face you need Your best friend.
Cecil. who is that friend?" Some one.
| the witness said, mentioned MIR. Starke.
| Mr. Epps said that gentleman was out OF
| town. There was no disposition shown
| by any one to shield Mr.. Epps; no one ex-
| pected him to leave town. 4lr Mccarthy
| advised him TO go home, "here some
| friend could see him.
| EPPs MAY BE HERE.
care ro,, convinced in your own nina
that Epps has lett town: asked 1Ar.
| GORDON.
"Weu. should have thought so, but
| Mr.. Buck White says he met and talked
witt, hin, on Main Street to-day, ~ an
| SWered Mr.. Phillips. tS:4s
| This statement created a mild sensation
| Several other gentlemen III the room ssiu
they had heard that Epps was still here.
! Mr. phillips said. Mr.. Mccarthy while
he had told Epps he was very sorry ior
him and would 90 anything proper WITHIN
| his power to assist him, ne coulu iot
Shield him in mis- crime OF forgery.
Mr.. w. p. Knowles, superintendent 81
! the gas works, said his first knowledge.
| Of the affair was when Mayor iaEn t.:.
/ came to his house about a quarter 70
nine o'clock He had no persoii''i hi'oSs-.
edge Of the matter.
AUDITORS STATEMENT
Auditor J. E. Warren stated that he
was first Informed OF Epps' irregulari-11
! ties by Mr.. Shelton. He advised MI
/ Shelton before bringing any charges TO
| fully satisfy himself of the guilt of Epps
| It was about 9 o'clock P. NJ. before WI:
| Shelton reported that he was colVllsc!
! OF F,nps' guilt Mr.. Warren repeated
| the story OF the cohAesoioii .Ai'.s A'oo
| been told by others.
| Mr.. Warren said, with much feeling,
! that he was very much shocked ana
! deeply sympathized with the young man
! All this time there was an element u
doubt as to the extent or exact nature OF
the crime. He went home to dinner. out
was so worried he could eat but little.
When he returned Mr.. Mccarthy tod hsm
he had beenSto see the City Attornes. ~ .
! could not fined him. but had consult>d
/ Judge Witt. who advised that the matte
| be reported TO the Mayor.
| & Mr.. Warren toldsof the visit he made 70
/ the Manor. The Mayor, asked him to give
him written charges, which he dld.
..The Mayor asked me what he s ,11.
do said the Auditor, :and l told mn
4 the City Attorney was the proper person
to consult
The Mayor pronounced thls uil any. -
[ toLl tln.lt 10