The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-30
DODCED THE SHERIFF
WARRANT ISSUED FOR G. n
WHITETHORNE9S ARREST NOT
SERVED
IS CHARGED WITH FORGERY
Alleged That the County Commits
siOner WrOngfulIy Retained
AIIO Given Him to Pay
Taxes on Two Lots.

Figuratively speaking, County Commits
sioner George B. Whitehorne is a fugitive
from justice. He is wanted on charge
of forgery and fraud and in consequence
Sheriff Phil Justus armed with a war
rant sought him all yesterday afternoon
and a good part of last night, but in
vain. Friends say he is in Minneapolis
and will appear today and give himself
over to the authorities.
Commission Wh:tehorne is the basis of
the ugly rumors that have been circu-
latfng about the court house for the
past ten days and his downfall is due to
an alleged tampering with the records
In the county auditors office and the lille
gal retention of $110
According to County Auditor Johnson,
who swore out the warrant and
incidentally discovered the wrongdoing,
Mr.. Whitehorne was given $40 to
pay some taxes standing against some
lots owned by VII lam Crooks. Against
one lot were taxes to the amount of 1885,
the other $7104 On the tax record the
word paid" is marked opposite each of
them, the writing being so coarse and al
most unreadable as to readily show that
an effort was made to disguise the hand
writing. CrudeneSS is shown in the fact
that the writing is entirely different from
the remainder in the book
The property was delinquent, the audi
tor having applied fer judgment against
it. and the fact that the books had been
tempered with was discovered, when. in
looking up the property, it was found
that entries had been made in the treas
urer's column where they should not have
been. The payment was made to appear
as though the transaction took place last
January, but in reality the forgeries oc-
Cured in May
The receipt which announced the taxes
paid was taken from the county treas
urer's office, and an examination of the
book shows that Cancelled receipt for
500. one-half the tax, was removed from
the book. The carbon copy of the re-
ceipt was also torn out, pasted back with
mucilage and afterwards removed 1t is
now missing. There is enough remain
Ing, however, to show a clean receipt to
Mr.. Whitehorne. The principal receipt.
with the Cancelled Endorsement, is missing.
Whitehorne, it is understood, was con-
fronted with the evidences of his guilt
and wilted. He made strenuous effort
to have the affair hushed up, and prob
ably would have succeeded had not there
been public outcry that demanded his
arrest and an investigation 1t was only
at the last moment that the warrant was
issued, and that reluctantly
WAS ABSENT YESTERDAY
All of last week Mr.. Whitehorne was a
daily visitor at the court house. and
never failed to attend the meetings of the
board of equalization, OF which he is
member but yesterday he was missing
quantity Evidently acquainted with what
was coming. ne made a hasty exit from
st. Paul hoping to secure bail In adj
vance, and thus head off a possible shor.
sojourn in jail. Sheriff Justus and num-
Der of deputies visited his home and his
haunts yesterday and last night but he
could not be found. Knowing ones said
he was in Minneapolis in hiding. but this
could not be verified.
Whitehorne has an office in the FIndi-
colt arcade, but when the officers arrived
it was locked. Inquiry at his home, 5Sl
Ashland avenue, failed to reveal his
whereabouts, his wife informing the Of
hcers that he had been absent the entire
GAY 1T was plainly shown that Mrs.
Whitehorne was not aware of her hus-
pand's wrongdoings, and the officers. dis
creetly and with regard for her feelings.
were silent
Naturally. gossip is rampant and
rumors were numerous yesterday as to
Inc cause Of his downfall and his al
most inexcusable action in laying himself
liable to term in prison for a paItry
Sl1O. He has long had a laundering for
public office. and last spring broke into.
pollUlcs, successfully landing the office OF
county commissioner He was free with
his money, what many called a good fell
low. and there are many who feel sorry
Tor him in his present predicament
Gendlng investigation and trial White
horne's suspension as county commission
er Is necessary, and this will probably be
made by Gov. Van SAINT today. If con-
victed, his removal will follow.
His brother commissioners were reluc-
tant to talk about the matter yesterday,
some of them even claiming to not know
that a warrant had been issued They
did not appear surprised, however
MAY BE AT NEW BRIGHTON.
Late last night 1t was reported that
Mr.. Whitehorne was at the home of
Commissioner Powers. near New Brigh-
ton. and that he would probably appear
in court this morning with his sureties.