The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-18


Pollock Immediately admitted his
guilt ana e7<onerated all others from
completely in it. He said he had known
all the time that he would be discover
ed and punished, but he could give no
reason for taking the money except that
he had made bad investments.
Pollock had a single big fight in the
legislature last winter and he won that
in the house but it was lost in the SEN
ate. It was the fight to have the Cow
ley county district court sit half the
time at Arkansas City, which was per-
haps the fiercest local fight before the
legisla ture and brought big lobbies to
Topeka from both Arkansas City and
Winfield, which fought the bill.
Pollock has always stood well in Ar
kansas City. He was elected to the
legislature as q Republican in dis
trict which has heretofore been Popu-
list, receiving a plurality of 272 over
the fusion nominee. It is said that he
could have been easily returned to the
next session of the legislature.
Pollock was appointed assistant post
master by Postmaster r. c. Howard
and had the office from December s un-
til after Postmaster Scott took charge
Of the office last summer. During this
time he had complete charge of the
money order business of the office, the
postmaster merely examining his re-
ports and cash balances every day to
keep them straight.
On May % the IISI wrong Was COM
mitted and at that time Pollock sold a
money order for one hundred dollars.
This and the advice were sent out in
correct form but when it was put upon
the report it was reduced to ten dollars
and the ninety dollars, it is alleged. Pol
lock kept. The work was kept up until
July and during that time he took, il
is charged, a total of $964.67.
When the reports got to Washington
the shortage was discovered in the order
fund and it was found that Pollock,
according to the charges, had sys-
tematically robbed the fund but the
people at both ends of the line were not
losing anything
Pollock was called into the postofice
late Friday afternoon and confronted by
the inspector. He confessed at once and
said that he was ready to be arrested.
He is being held on a state warrant
awaiting the arrival of the United States
marshal from Topeka. Pollock said
when asked why he did it, that ne must
have been insane and that for the past
six months he had realized his arrest
says he made bad business investments.
He made no effort to leave the country.
In fact it was after he left the post
office that he was elected to the Iegisla-
ture.
The people of this city and vicinity
had implicit faith in his integrity. He
made a statement completely exon
Grating Postmaster Howard and all
there was no way for them to discover
his work and it must come to light
through the head office. Mr.. Howard
was responsible for the loss and he has
made good the amount. taken. Pollock
was not under bond.
As soon as ex-POstmaSter Howard
was shown the handwriting on the al
tered orders ne identified it as Pollock's 5.
Pollock takes his arrest quietly and has
arranged all of his business affairs to
conform with it, He was kept under
guard in his room last night
AS soon as the news became known
it created a sensation in the city be
cause Pollock was the last one to be
suspected of a crooked action a large
number of business men called upon
him and offered him all kinds of as
sistance. but this was quietly refused.
He is 32 years old and comes of a good
family He was raised on a farm east
of this city and is unmarried.
People here believe he used a part
of the money to secure his nomination
and subsequent election to the Iegisla-
ture. He has made a good representa-
tive and could have been reelected for
another term, easily. He was the sec
retary Of a local gas company recently
organized The funds of this company
were found to be in good shape. He
has no bad habits He may receive a
sentence as high as fifteen years.
s. D. Pollock is not a relative Of