The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1906-02-15
ny from these figures.

lll0 IlOll lneSe lHuFeS.
Deputy County Auditor Viii
son was placed on the stand. He
testified that he was present
when Auditor Fabrick pulled the
mysterious contract from the
pigeon hole Of his desk for the
first time.
A good pourtion Of Saturday
morning was taken up eNalnin-
ing various bills presented by
Geo. ". kemper Of the North
western Bridge Co. The bills are
remarkable in that they are in
nearly every case improperly
made out and usually with Il lead
pencil at that.
The bills vary in size from
81. 800 TO S3 200 and all the in-
Formations that is contained in
them is that the amount applies
on bridge contract. Uusually the
voucher on the back OF the bill is not
filed in and yet the commissioners have
allowed good many such bills to pass.
a bill Of s37 80 presented pythe M'not
Optic was given in evidence. Auditor
Fabrick stated that the records never
show who vote for or against bills, for
usually the chairman does not call roll.
them SO.
The state offered in advance second
bill of the Optic The auditor testified
that when the bill was first presented, it
consisted Of but one page: while the bill
was taken from his Office and when re-
turned, it had the second page attached.
This was the famous Optic bill contain
tanning among otner items charge for
E}S9.9O for $50 court calendars.
The bill as first presented was allowed
by the commissioners, and warrant
was drawn for the amount. S:}S9.9O.
At the next meeting Of the Board of
Commissioners. it was moved by Car
roll and seconded by Richardson that
resolution be passed, whereas a war
rant was issued July II. 'O5. to the Optic
for court calendars, for 1899 80, and the
same being an unduly high price. and
escaped the notice Of the board of
county commissioners by their rush of
business, the county auditor be instruct
ed to recall the warrant for S3S99O and
A new one issued for 5267 4O.including
charge Of $50 for the court calendars
Such resolution was carried. Swanson
voting No
Faorick here testified that about that
time the voucher disappeared but was
later returned by Commissioner Carroll
Fabrick presented the stub of the Optic.
warrant tor 239S.9O dated July Sth, 1905.
and also the stub Of the warrant dated
Oct. Sd 1905, and for s2674O. This lat
ter sum was paid to r. G. Sandborn as
Receiver of the Minot Optic.
The witness stated that the former
had been returned. Judge Goss
questioned the witness closely as to the
date OF the issuance Of the warrant and ,
found that it was on Saturday July Sth,
OR TWO DAYS BEFORE THE !
CALENDARS HAD ACTUAL
LY BEEN COMPLETED AND TURN
ED OVER TO THE CLERK OF THE !
DISTRICT COURT.
Mr.. Fabrick stated that the second |
page of the bill was attached after the |
irst page had been allowed. Ali sta
:ionery for the county was supposed to
oe delivered and with MIR. Smith, he
checked it up and delivered it to the
proper office. This had been his in
'tructions from the commissioners.
In the case of the Optics famous
court calendars, however. Fabrick had
lot seen their bill nor the calendars.
de was asked to point out the items in
he two Optic bills which hs believed
lad been charged twice. He selected
1000 Memo heads. bearing different
lates, and was almost positive that but
me lot had been delivered at the court
louse.
Deputy Wilson testified that he had
lied the original bill and drawn up the !
The bill was taken by Carroll
md when he returned it, it had another
heet attached. Carroll stated that he
lad had the Optics bill "itemized." He
old Wilson he. had better o. X. the
temized bill and Wilson did SO. Viii
on knew that the items had been fur
aished at the court housed, but was not
ware Of any duplicate charges. He did
rot however o. X. the court calendars.
McKKEvER O. KS The Blk.
G. r. Mckeever, former Deputy Clerk
# Court testified that on certain Sat
lrday when Clerk of Courts Smith was
It the Shorb farm north OF Surrey.
and Carroll stopped him
ust as he was leaving the court house
md asked him to o. K the bill for the
amous court calendars Mckeever had
,cen told by Smith not to 0. X. the bill