The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-05-07
Friends Declare He Has Been
Victim Of Drug Habit For
Years and is Now Irrespon.
sible.

Varied are the opinions whether
the county can recover fully the loss
es sustained by the shortages of Hi
ram Smedley, former county court
clerk. A seven year limit releases
the bondsmen of former county court
clerks, under whom Mr.. Smedley
served as deputy, and under whom II
is alleged he did most of the forging,
and obtaining money. The victims,
who cashed the checks, are liable
first and the limit is a longer one.
beyond which the county can recover
funds. No steps have been taken
this early to prepare to recover
money due the county, as the county
officials are waiting on a decision in
the case of Booze, the defaulting state
official may decide the Smedley case.
Along most lines the case of Clerk
Smedley is exactly a parallel to the
Booze case. Mr.. Charles Graham, I'M
der whom Mr.. Smedley served two
terms as deputy, says he is not liable
for the criminal acts of his deputy.
This is the main point in the Booze
case before the court of appeals. III
is believed by the county officials,
that Mr.. Graham's bond will hold
good for any discrepancies of Mr.
Smedley, who served as deputy and
forged the checks while in an official
capacity. All the checks discovered
SO far we're paid through the fiscal
court. and we're not forged on private
citizens. Mr.. smedley was not under
bond to Mr.. Graham, 1t is said.
The seven year release of the bonds
men will prevent the county recover
ing money secured wrongfully by
Smedley under the fret term of Mr..
Graham. but it can be recovered
from the persons who cashed the
checks, as they are the first persons
liable.
While serving as clerk, Mr. Smed-
ley to have been dropped temporarily
the discrepancies. and the company
can be held good to reimburse the
county. Mr.. Graham has stated to
friends that he is out Of politics. and
does not want to be drawn into II,
and that he is not liable for Mr..
Smedlcy's wrongdoings.
Friends of Mr.. Smedley are con-
WINGED by his actions and conduct
that he is out OF his reason now. His
talk is contradictory. The county
officials will not undertake to have
him examined before a jury in order
TO ascertain his soundness of mind.
unless he becomes violent. The plea
of insanity may be a defense for him
when his trial is called at the Sep
TENDER term of court, and his attor-
neys may seek to have him sent to
the asylum instead of the penitsn-
tiary.
Efforts to make bail for Mr.. Smed-
ley have been dropped temporarily
by his relatives. II is said they real
lie that he is not in his right mind
now, probably caused by worry, and
are willing for him to remain in the
county jail His friends say that Mr.
Smedley is addicted TO the drug
habit. and one reason for keeping
him In jail is to watch him carefully
and make efforts to cure him of the
habit.
The first night in the county jail
was spent quietly by Mr.. Smedley. al
though this morning friends who
called on him say that he looks bad
ly. and apparently for the first time
realizes his situation. He was ac-
corded the same treatment as other
prisoners. and shared a cell with VIII
Hamilton. who is in jail for malicious
cutting and robbing the United StatesI
mails.