The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1905-08-29

toward his former right hand man,
as well be might. The amount which
he had been called upon to pay was
more than he or anyone else had ex-
pected would be found against him,
for it was generally believed that he
would fare better than Sheriff Taylor,
when the final accounting was made.
When the two men had made out
their checks they both went to the
county treasurer, where they paid the
same to that official and took Mr..
Sommerville's receipt.
This action was witnessed by the
district attorney, and when the re-
ceipts had been given. the shortage
case was ended as far as the state of
Oregon and William Blakely and I.
ID. Taylor were concerned.
However, there is another man for
whom the matter is not yet over. He
is 9. P. Davis, former chief deputy,
who, according to the statements of
Messrs. Blakley and Taylor is respon-
sible for the losses which they have
incurred, and before whom the
shadow of the penitentiary seems to
loom.
1t is understood that complaint
will be filed against him in the jus
tees court at once and that he will
then be held for action of the circuit
court.
AS to the action to be taken by him
District Attorney Phelps stated today
that he would investigate the matter,
and that who ever is found to blame
will be prosecuted. Nothing in the
report, aside from the bare totals,
would be disclosed today by the dis
trict attorney, who says that the
interests of the state can be better
served by withholding the details at
present. The report has not been
filed with the county clerk, and con-
sequently is not a public document,
and is not accessible to the attorneys
for Davis.
But while the details of the report
were not given, it is said that the de-
falcation of the chief deputy has been
gradual, and that it has been done by
his taking comparatively small sums
at a time. Just how this was done
will be developed as the case against
him progresses.
The $8479. rs paid by Sheriff Taylor
does not represent the total amount
which that official has lost, for he
had already paid some on the shortage
at the time it was first discovered.
While he states that he cannot yet ex-
actiy tell what his loss is, the sheriff
says that it will be right close to
$500.
The report made by Messrs.
Buchanen and Beckwith, who have
been at work on the matter for weeks,
Is a very comprehensive one and covers
many pages of legal cap paper 1t is
said to be very complete, and to show
the state of the accounts in very
concise manner.
At first it was supposed that por,
tion of the shortage which occurred
during the Blakley administration
WO0lu bO AuU1O y bldu SAA ydhAD Olu
and thus outlawed. However, Mr..
Blakley stated before the report was
filed that he would pay the entire
amount found due from him, regard
less of whether it had become out
lawed or not. However, the first
crooked work discovered was in 1901,
during the last year of Mr.. Blakley' 4
second term; consequently 1t would
seem that large amounts were stolen
at times during his term Of Office.
The interest charges on the amount
due from both sheriffs helped con.
siderable to increase the amounts
which they had to pay. The interest
as computed for the Blakley tern
was 5000, while that for Sheriff Tay-
lor's administration was about $500.
Soon after the first discoveries were
made by the experts it was ascertain
ed that Carter & Raley and Judge
James A. Fee were retained for Davis
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