The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-07
Charles B. Thompson, Finance
Keeper of the Maccabees,
Writes Letter C0nfessing His
Betrayal of Trust.
TELLS THE OLD STORY.
Was Engaged in a Transaction
Where He Couldn't Lose.
The Order Is PI elected by Am
pie Surety Bond.

Port Huron, Mich. Nov. 7.-Charles
b. Thompson, of this city, supreme fin
ance keeper of the supreme tent
knights of the Maccabees is a self
confessed defaulter in the sum of $751;
600. The order however, is protected
from loss by Thompson's surety bond
The shortage is acknowledged in the
following letter to D. P Markey, su-
preme commander of the order:
d. P. Markey, Supreme Commander, K
o. T. NJ.
Dear Sir:-It is with feeling of dis
treSS and shame that 1 tender herewith
my resignation supreme finance
keeper of the order of which you are
the head. And this step is taken with
a bitter realization that am no longer
worthy the companiOnship and assocla-
ton of my fellow officers. 1 have held
the position since the order was found
ed, have during most of that time been
officially associated with the present
supreme officers and never until now
did 1 in any way betray my trust L
vas engaged in a legitimate business
venture in which I had made large
investment and found myself in posi-
tion when further money was necessary
to have myself from bankruptcy and
ruin. There was apparently no chance
for loss L then betrayed my trust and
used the funds of the order at the time
believing there was no question of my
ability to replace them within a short
time. The amount l used was 1900.
l have no hope of being able to repay
this amount I know the order is pro-
tected from loss by the surety bond of
nearly twice the amount in perfectly
responsible company, but this does not
lessen my mental suffering, nor relieve
me from the disgrace of having betray-
ed the confidence bestowed in me-
Nothing that may occur can increase
the tortures which I have suffered and
am still suffering. 1 can only await
such action as may be taken and abide
theN consequences. No punishment can
be greater and no suffering so intense
as that resulting from the loss of the
respect and esteem of the membership
of the order and the suffering necessar-
lily caused to my family (SignedD
CHAS. B. THOMPSON.
HANDLED s15,OOoO0O
Port Huron, Mich, Nov. 7.-Supreme
Commander Markey of the Maccabees
this afternoon made the following state
ment in regard to Mr. Thompson's
shortage:
Charles B. Thompson has been su-
preme finance keeper of the Supreme
Tent since it was organized in Septem-
Der, 1888, and has handled and dis
bursed more than SIS, OO0. 900 during that
time and until this defalcation, no
thought has ever been entertained
against his integrity and this betrayal
on his part Will be keenly felt by the
membership
The supreme tent keeps on deposit
large amounts of money in leading
banks in several commercial centers on
which warrants are drawn for the pay
ment of death claims. but all collec-
tionS are made through the Commercial
bank of Port Huron, and it is part of
the duties of the supreme finance keen
er to transfer from time to time from
the Commercial bank to these other de-
pOsitor1es money for the purpose of
keeping the account good at such
banks, and the money that was used
In this case by Mr.. Thompson was on
a draft transferring from the CONNER
cial bank to the First National bank of
New York.
MIR. ThompSOn'S shorta ge is $57, 900 but
no loss will be incurred by the supreme
tent, as every financial official of the as
sociation including Mr. Thompson. is
bonded in surety companies and the
bond held by the order as security for
Mr. Thompsons integrity is very much
greater than the shortage. But the fact
that no pecuniary loss is sustained
does not relieve from regret the
membership of the association
who have been up to the
present time been able to say that no Of
ficer in the association has ever uisan-
ed TO his care The bond comDaniaS have
been notified of Mr. Thompsons S defalca-
them to make good the amount. Pending
an adjustment with the bond companies
death claims. as the order has on deDosit
on the first day of this month in its vari-
GUS Repositories throughout the United
states a. little more than half a million
dollars. besides having bonds amounting
to more than S1,120 0O0.''