The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-07-12
QUEER STORY.
a nispenssry Inspector Loses Sixteen
Hundred Dollars
or Dispensary Money. Claims BE
Hsdlt When He Left Charles.
ton. But 1t Disappeared.

The Colunbis State says a very pc,
culisr story became known Wednes
day when it was discovered that few
days ago DiSpenSary Inspector Clar-
ence L. Brown mysteriously lost over
$1,000, which he received from a
county dispenser to make up z short
age in the mau S accounts.
Inspector Brown went to Charles
ton a few days ago, according to bis
statement, and in the course Of his
duties went to the general dispensary
OF S. S.. Matthews and checked up the
books. He found the dispenser 81. 64S
short in his accounts and asked Tor
payment Of this amount. He was
given a check, and one OF MATHEWS
clerks went with him to the banS to
get it csshed. The money was OBJ
tained at 2 O'Clock in the afternoon
and Inspector Brown came to Colum-
oia on the afternoon train. DiSpen-
ser Matthews accompanied him Mr.
Brown would make no statment COZ.
corning the reason why the dispenser
came, but it is probable from what
can be learned that be held that the
shortage did not exist, and so came to
consult with Commissioner Tatum.
Nh. Brown says that be parted with
Matthews at Branchville, the dis
penser going to Columbia and MI.
Brown to Barnwell, his home. AT
irving there, be found that his bank
book, in which were the greenoacks,
had disappeared. Not alone had the
money which he had collected disap-
peared, but also about $500, some Of
which belonged to the dispensary
He came to Columbia the next morn
ing and reported the loss. Inspector
Brown is bonded officer and when
bis friends learned Of his predica ment
they made up the amount lacking
and it was paid in to the dispenSarys S
funds, pending further Investigation.
When the facts in this case were
heard OF "Wednesday The State tele-
graphed it's Charleston correspondent
and instructed him to Investigate the
matter. Late that night the follow
ing dispatch was received:
Dispenser Matthews was seen by
The States representative in the alter
noon and asked for statement about
the shortage. He stated at first that
he knew nothing about the matter,
coupling the remaak with an inquiry
whether Inspector Brown had charg
ed him with beirg short in his &C
counts. Showing no disposition to
discuss the matter, Dispenser Mat
thews was asked il he had ever been
robbed-which might account for the
shortage-to which he replied: L
know nothing at all about the mat
ter" He later said that be preferred
to say nothing, but when told he
would be quoted In this way, he ADD
ed, 81 think it best.'
A member OF the county board OF
control was seen about the story and
he said that while ne had heard tie
runor OF a shortage, be could say that
the board knew nothing auout it Off
cially. ''The stock is regularly taken
and the reports sent to Columbia, :"
he said, ''and any shortage which
might occur would be discovered
through the inspectors examination.
Il such q discovery has been made,
no report OF it has been received by
our board. F"
M. Brown could not be found un-
! til late Wednesday night aud would
make no statement regarding Dispen-
ser Matthew'S visit to Colunbi
Commissioner Tatum was likewise
taciturn. It Is almost certain, how
ever, that the dispenser came to the
city to deny the shortage. BE had a
receipt from Mr.. Brown. The story
is a very peculiar one and will be in
yestjgated to the bottom. There
have been rumors Of a shortage IN
Charleston for sone time, but it was
learned ednesiay night that they
could not be confirmed.
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