Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1903-03-28
Statement Of Mayor Meek

II first became suspicious OF the
accounts of Capt Pine few days
before the election. I said nothing
about the matter except to a very
few personal friends for the reason
that we were IN the eve of an cleo
ton, that It's publication then
would be considered a campaign
canard and l felt confident that the
city would lose nothing by a few
days delay. My suspicious were
first aroused when City treasurer w.
L. Russell asked me If 1. knew one
James Hart & Co, He stated that
James Hart had a bill on account
OF water works Of S26 so which
aroused his suspicious because Capt.
Pine had not reported 1t for pub
LEGATION as was his custom knowing
that all purchases on account OF
water works were made through
Supt. Guytvn. I inquired of Mr..
Guyton if he knew such a firm as
James Hart & Co., of such firm
Supt, Guyton knew nothing.
Further inves tigation developed
that James Hart or James Hart &
Co. had been collecting for various
work done tor the city throughout
the year. We further found that
other names unknown to the city
authorities had been paid bills
ranging from twenty dollars to two
hundred dollars OF which the city
officials knew nothing. II IS my
opinion that Capt. Pine has de
frauded the city to the amount of
nearly three thousand dollars 10 the
past year.
H. G. MEEK, MAYOR "
Captain Pines Statement.
Captain Pine denies absolutely
any participation either by himself
or In collision with others In any
scheme to defraud the city of the
value Of anything. He also deuie S
any other malfeasance In Office of
any kind or character and asks his
friends 10 delay judgment until he
has either been indicated by &C.
quittal or condemned by conviction,
feeling certain that all the facts will
show a clear and clean admin
istration of all city affairs under his
control.
The Warrant.
II. G. Meek and W. L. Russell
being duly sworn, state on oath that
he, the said II G. Meek, has been
from the first Monday In April, 1902,
and yet Is mayor of The City of
Sistersville, a municipal corpora,
ton In Tyler county, W. Va, and
that he, the said w. L. Russell, has
been and yet Is for the same period
collector and treasurer of the afore.
said city, that during the same Pc
Rod of time one James H. Pine has
been and yet Is, city clerk of said
city, has full charge, custody, con-
troll and possession of the minute
books, all order books and all other
public records of said city, under
the laws and ordinances thereof;
that on o: about the 18Th day OF
December, 1902, In said city county
and State aforesaid, as city clerk of
said city, he, the said James H.Pine,
did make ar entry In the minute
book and record of the proceed
ings of the council of said city,
kept by the said clerk, he,
the same James H. Pine, did
make an entry In the minute book
and record of the proceedings of the
Council of our City; kept by said
city, the same being wholly under
the control, in the custody and po-
session of the said James H Pine
as city clerk thereof showing an
appropriation or allowance made by
said council 10 one James Hart for
the sum of S92 50 which said entry
showing said allowance OF appro
priation for the use and benefit of
said Hart, was fraudulent and TN.
authorized by said council, the same
being made for the purpose and
intent 10 defraud said city of Sis
tersvilIe Ia he sum of aud to The
extent of S92 50 and with a further
intent to enable said Jas. H.Pi1e to
obtain money to which he is no.
entitled.
That said Pine, on the 18Th day of