The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-24

at the end of the year. In the annual
report of the order, the finance com
mitree show a statement from a w
Knowles. vice president of the Bank
OF Topeka, TO the effect that Kent had
the sum Of S4.a1gl TO MS credit az the
bank for the l. O. o. r.. lodge
1T is believed that Kent borrowed the
two sums which he deposited on the
31st OF august 10 tide himself over I'M
til after the examination made by the
finance committee, which examination
is made each year at about the middle
of september The bank books snow
that subsequently this money was all
checked out
Mr.. Kent was first elected secretary
Of the grand lodge "a hansas in 4eg1
and was this year entering upon his
sixth term of Office The per capita
assessments made in each Of the lodges
Of the state are made before the in
stallrnent of officers upon the first
meeting nights in January and July
During the month OF January and July
the remitrancas made to the grand sec
rotary by the subordinate lodges over
the state, amounts TO about $4,000 each
month. The remfttances are usually
all made during those months and are
deposited at the bank as fast as recely-
ed The bank books show that during
the month OF January of this year, the
month the large remittances are made,
no deposits we're made at the bank.
The last deposit made on June Il and
consequently the renittanceS received
posted at the Bank Of Topeka On
June s, of this year Mr.. Kent had a
balance of $T.93 to his credit and on
June Il he deposited $40. That is the
last item OF deposit made this year
Consequently remittances received dur
ing the months of January and July Of
this year were not deposited OF this
sum of about 81 900 received from the
subordinate lodges, about St. 900 was
turned over TO the grand treasurer l.
c. BeaL The remaining sum amount
ing to over $500 is missing
1t is believed that the deficit that eX-
listed on the 31st Of August 1900. was
made up later Another thing that
seems peculiar and remains unexpIain-
ed is the fact that Mr.. Kent transfer
red his bank accounts The record OF
his last deposit at the Bank of Topeka
was made on June A. The next record
of deposit by Mr. Kent was on August
q at the First National bank when he
deposited the sum OF *4ss-65- On Aug
ust 81 another deposit OF $2259-67 was
made This money has been preserved
No explanation Of the reason for the
shortage has yet been made public Mr-
Kent had always enjoyed the entire
confidence Of the fellow officials and
was known to be a temperate man and
had no bad habits such as gambling,
smoking and drinking He was parrlc-
ular1E attentive to his family and lived
at Fifteenth and Western avenue His
salary amounted to $500 per .Tear.
which was apparently adequate
The only reason 50 far eonjectured
for his downfall IS his fondness for race
horses. He kept a string of 10 horses
and his stables were represented at
many of the race meets in this vicinity.
About a year ag0 his barn at Fifteenth
and WestS-n avenue burned and sew
eraI horses perished- 1T seems that the
remainder have been disposed of re-
Gently as all Efforts to locate them have
proved futile.
Mr. Kent left Topeka about two
weeks ago. He was seen in Chicago
by J. ". Burriss of Topeka who is
authority for the statement that Mr..
Kent declared his intention to him of
attending the Sovereign Grand lodge
meet at Indianapolis Topeka people in
attendance there report that Mr.. Kent
did not put IN an appearance there
His Wherea bouts now are also q mys-
terry to the public
Mr. Kent was under a 5000 bond 10
fulfill the duties OF his Office in the New
York Surety company OF which L L