The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-18

Hechler did not make any claim before
the board that 1t was any one else's
money than the county's money. He said
he had used 1t to save discount
The petition of Hechler. treasurer, in
the suit of w. r. Todd and others against
Isadora Todd and others was read.
Treasurer on Stand.
Mr. Fl. C.. Hechler was then sworn and
placed ON the witness sand. Mr.. Hechler
seemed unable to follow the questions of
the attorneys, and showed considerable
lack OF knowledge OF the conduct of his
office. repeatedly referring the ,questoners
to his deputy, Mr.. Todd, who he ex-
planned kept the books" Mr.. Hechler
testified that at no time had he loaned
the money of his office to outsiders. but
admitted under questioning that Charlie
Hechler, his nephew, owed the Todd es-
tate some eight or nine hundred dollars,
and that he had taken Charlie Hecher's
note for the amount, thereby advancing
money to the Todd estate in liquidation
of this claim. Mr.. Hechler. in answer
I to questions. stated that the money for
I payment of the note was paid by him
from the treasury, he could not say
| by cash or check, nor could he say from
what account it was gotten. 1t having
| been, paid out OF the general fund, al
| the funds due the Todd estate in the
hands of the treasurer.
| Mr.. Hechler explained that the money
| due the Todd estate was, as shown by
/ the suit and decree in the case of Todd
against Todd. for State taxes advanced
| by the late treasurer. which there was
no other way to collect than by going
| through the hands of the present treasu
| rer. Mr.. Hechler said the attorney for
| the Todd estate had cautioned him not to
| pay out any money he held on this ac-
| count, either on State or county war
rants. but to hold it for a decree OF
court.
| Counsel here engaged in a wrange as
! TO the commissions of Hechler on taxes
due the Todd estate. Mr.. Hechler testi-
fled that, having used part OF the Todd
| funds. he had deposited a personal note.
! covered by collateral, to make good the
| amount when Boudar and Company called
| attention to the matter.
! Questioned by Mr.. Wendenburg, Mr.
Hechler said that when he took charge
i OF the office all State tax bills not paid
We're turned over to him in his capacity
| as treasurer, and he had no way of tell
ing whether the accounts belonged to
| the State of Virginia or the Todd estate.
Individual Note.
AS to the note deposited. Mr..
| Hechler test ed that the note, less
| discount, amounting to s2,42O "or some
| such matter" was an individual note.
and explained that a party for whom
he held note, went out of business
/ and that he had taken UP this note
! signed by his son, an. that 1t was re-
ceived at State Bank by collateral.
| This note, he said, had been rum
ming for some time ne did not re-
member how the account was paid and
did not know whether 1t was cash
or cneck u don't keep any private.
bank" said Mr.. Hechler. 81 had
note and another small one and Just
let them go on in"
Here the counsel became involved in
a considerable tangle of figures as to
various notes, and their discounts, the
commissions OF Mr.. Hechler on tax
collections, etc. Mr. Wendenburg then
led a series of questions, showing ~
Mr.. Hechler's testimony that the adj
mitted shortage according to the
Boudar report was $3.513, which was
i increased by the error found that
morning amounting to $602.SS, and by
Mr. Hechler's testimony that he had
overpaid the State on tax collections
s1,767.29, making total of s6,943.46
paid out for other than purpose pro-
vided by law.
Mr.. Wendenburg endeavored to show
by testimony of Mr.. Hechler that the
/ notes mentioned had neen discounted,
together with items amounting to "a
S62.36. leaving q balance of $1,O7S.l4
unaccounted for.
| Mr.. Hechler seemed unable to follow
| the questioning of tho attorney In this
matter, and again referred to n.
Todd, who. he said. was the book
keeper, and would explain better than
| he could.
"1f, as I have shown. on October list
Won were short $5,9i3, do you mean to say
that all of that money was taken out OF
4 the Todd estate money with tho consent
\ OF the administrator" asked Mr.. Wen-
| denburE.
"The counsel Of the Todd estate" re-
| plied the treasurer told me not to pay
off state and county funds. but to keep
the money for the Todd estate
| ut appears that you have used S,9i3
| that did not belong to you. without con-
sent OF the Todd estate--hnve used 1t
i OFF Of the common fund. the only deposit;
| is this so?'
"Mr. Coalter attorney for tho Todd
estate. asked us to pay the note OF $500
| (the Charles FIechler note), and I paid
It out of my money and took the note.
/ Mr. TIechler further testified that no
balance was at first turned over to him
INV the former treasurer: that he bor-
rowed So, 600 on his own account for tho
current vouchers by IL personal note dis
counted; that three OF the districts had
assumed their share of the cost of the
discount on this note. but that Brook
land had declined.
Attorneys went over again and again
tho various figures presented without
arriving at any definite understanding,
and Mr.. TIechler seemed unable to make
a positive statement which would clear
up tho matter.
Mr.. Todd on Stand.
Mr.. II. j. Todd, son of the late treasurer
ana deputy of Mr., Hechler, was sworn
Mr.. Todd exhibited the books and cash
slips OF tho office, He testified that he
kept the books of the treasurer's Office
with separate accounts for each OF the
/, four districts, the various school and
road funds. etc. and explained the sys-