Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-15

obtain a more desirable position in
the service, inasmuch as he could
not thereafter expect to work har-
moniousiy at the smelter.
Collector Garrett and the special
agent detailed Storekeeper Fulkerson
to investigate. He examined the
transactions in duties on lead ore COW
ering a period of two or three months
only and it is alleged that for this
brief period, he discovered loss of
several thousand dollars On this ba-
sis, estimating that the Irregularities
had extended over period OF five
years or ten years the losses would
have run up into the hundreds Of
thousands
FuIkerson Left Out.
The preliminary investigation occur.
red in January and as soon as the
supposed importance of the case had
been brought to the attention OF the
department Col. E. Polk Johnson
of New Orleans and Col Joseph F.
Evans of this city were designated by
the treasury department to carry on
the investigation and ferret out the
losses but no mention was made to
Fulkerson as a member Of commits
sion. He was, however, instructed to
render to the special agents such SER
vice as lay in his power and to give
them all desired information. It is
said that he complied with instruc.
tions up to certain point, but de-
clined to divulge the names of certain
witnesses or to go further unless the
treasury department appointed him to
commission that he might share prize
money and the ultimate glory, and al
SO be protected later.
The agents, it is claimed, seemed
prefectly willing to advance Fulkerson
and agreed to take the matter up with
the department that the appointment
Of the store keeper might be brought
about.
Meantime Fulkerson had obtained a
leave of absence from Collector Gar
rett for thirty days and with ful
knowledge and consent Of all concern
ed went to Mexico to attend to private
business.
During his absence an article wa!
published giving an outline of the in
vestigations and insinuating that I
storekeeper had skipped to avoid Civ
ing testimony detrimental to the smel
ter trust.
Fulkerson Acts.
Storekeeper Fulkerson returned 4
the city two days before the expira
| tion OF his leave and reported to tn
] collector. The collector handed hin
letter stating that the treasury dc
partment had cancelled his thirty da
leave OF absence granted some week
before and instructed that he assis
Agents Johnson and Evans in tn
t smelter investigation and DO whateve
( they might require.
q Fn1kerson had prior to That cOntir
ued to urge that he be appointed O
/ the Investigating commission an
l guaranteed subsequent protection an
| a division of the reward for nneartf
4 ing the losses.
9 The Climax.
o Fulkerson reported to the agent
$ for duty. but felt aggrieved by tn
I newspaper report insinuating that h
S or some other storekeeper had fled I
Mexico. He did not know the origi
8 and source Of the article, but felt tina
s an injustice had been done him sine
0 the beginning Of the investigation
4 He suspected also that some one ha
: been talking.
Last Friday evening, July 10, Colt
mel Garrett received telegram fror
a the treasury department which said
"Peremptorily require Storekeepe
8 John Fulkerson to furnish TO the spe'
s iaI agents all facts in his possessio
s and have him to act with specii
= agents Evans and Johnson In this u
0 vestigatiop,"