The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-06
Troy Chief Makes Charges
Against F. j. Close.
Claims That He Too Was Once
Short.
DIDN'T PAY OVER FEES
The Shortage Was Afterward
Made Good by Him.
Items of Interest About the
Political Stars.

The Troy Chief alleges that Colonel
Fred j. Close, fusion candidate for lieu
tenant governor, has record similar in
some respects to that of Thomas T.
Kelly though not so extensive 1t
charges that while he was clerk of the
district court of Doniphan county he
collected and used for his personal use
STA in fees which belonged to the coun-
ty; that it was not discovered until
about ten years after Colonel Close
went out of office; that the county COM
missioners then demand that he pay
over the fees which belonged to the
county and he compromised by paying
$126
1t is not claimed that there were any
forgeries, publications. or raised war
rants in the case of Close, as there was
in the Kelly embezzlements. 1t is sim
ply alleged that Close collected fees and
failed to turn them over to the county
treasurer. If this be true, there may
be a chance for indeDendent action In
both political parties. While the office for
which Colonel Close is a candidate is OF
little Importance to the state from
financial standpoint. there is no reason
why a dishonest man should be elected
to it. There is a possibility that the
lieutenant governor may be called upon
to become governor At any rate the
voters of Kansas would like to near
from Colonel Close on the subject.
The Chief tells of the transactions as
follows:
THE old timers here will recall the
history of Mr.: Close He was elected
clerk of the district court of Doniphan
county in 1878. 1880 and 1882. He was
elected county attorney in 1884 and 1885,
A candidate for state office in a recent
explanation makes the plea that ex-
perts examined his books. found moth
ing that would indicate that he was
guilty of any peculations from his
county, therefore. he is not guilty of
charges now made and proven by the
evidence of his own hand His case Is
very similar to that of Mr.. Close in this
county. Ten years after Mr.. Close mad
closed his books as clerk of the district
court of this county. it was discovered
that he was a defaulter: tlat ne had
received moneys belonging to the county
and kept them for his private USE The
story of his peculations is shown by the
following, from the minutes of the
meetings of the board of county COM
1nissioners of Doniphan county:
October I, 1890-Ordered, that the dis
trict clerk be and is hereby instructed
to report to the county commissioners
all witness, jury and stenographers
fees that the records of his office show
should have been paid into the county
treasury during the past ten years
Signed. w. H. F'orncrook. county clerk,
by Minnie Schletzbaum. deputy
October I. 1891, the following appears
in the records of the proceedings OF the
county board:
sThe clerk of the district court pre-
scented report of the amount of jurors S
fees due the county from F. ]. Close and
E. r. Westfall, in compliance with the
order of the board made October Z, 1880;
and the county attorney was directed to
make demand of each of the parties
report Signed, w H. Forncrook.
county clerk, by Minnie Schletzbaum.
deputy
~, IA1 ,f fhx.
proceedings of the county board:
" The county attorney was authorized
to accept of F. ]. Close $126, the amount
offered by Mr.. Close in COMPROMISE
of the claim filed against him October 2.
1891. Signed. w. H Forncrook, county
clerk, by Minnie Schletzbaum, deputy
THE clerks report was made by D. P.
Delaney, clerk of the district court. 1t
is itemized and shows that Mr.. Close
was indebted to the county in the sum
of S174 for jury's fees collected and re-
tanned by him which should have been
paid to the county treasurer. The re-
port gives the title of each case, docket
page and the amount due the county
from Close.
January 5. 1892. there was filed for
record this report, made by A. S. Brew
Ster county attorney:
E" Collected from F. j. Close $126, in fuh
payment of the within claim, and paid
same into the county treasury, less
per cent commission. Signed A S.
Brewster. county attorney.
AT the time of the payment of the
money due the county, Mr.. Close made
good deal of talk about political per-
secution' that he did not owe the coun-
ty anything, and that the records had
been changed. But the payment of the
amount in compromise was a confes-
sion of guilt and that he was guilty is
the belief of every honest thinking mar
in the county" -es.s=s>
Concordia. Kas, Sept .6.-RepubIican
leaders in Cloud county have become
alarmed at the fight made on T. 7
Kelly. and several of them have openly
expressed their views that he will rur
from 300 to 500 votes behind his ticket
in the county George Burroughs, editor
of the Empire and Blade is defending
Kelly. but the voters Will not accept his
defense, and they say that unless Kelly
proves each specific charge false they
records speak louder than Kelly and q
general denial does not disprove the
records nor show where they are al
fault. One postmaster of Cloud county
Will refuse to support Kelly. but does
not desire to have his named used.
Congressman Jackson of the Third
district will make no more politica
speeches for a time After making E
speech at Mineral Thursday night ht
stepped off a sidewalk and fell in such
manner as to break his leg. 1t viii
probably take several weeks before tht
injured member will sufficiently heal fol
him TO resume his canvass.
The Wamego Times. whose editor Is
personal acquaintance of T. T. Kelly
and who asked the Pottawatomie couil-
~ delegation to give Kelly some of its
votes in the state convention, this weei
takes down keliy's name from its
state ticket. 1t saws:
THE Times, whose editor is a person.
al acquaintance of T. 7. Kelly, scandi
date for office of state treasurer on ths
Republican ticket. is disappointed il
Kelly's statement that has been due
ever since the state convention. bu