Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-06
SHORTAGE IN ROCK HILL.

went to Kings Mountain and brought
him back in his buggy.
SHORTAGE IN ROCK HILL.
It has been noised all over the coun-
ty during the past two weeks or more
that the city treasurer Of Rock Hill Ii
badly short in his accounts; but 1t has
only been within the past few days
that tangible details began to appear
| in the papers. The first stories Of the
affair were brought to Yorkville by
residents Of Rock Hill; but generally
they told what they had to say with
the usual don't you quote me-" at
tachment, and as is always the case
under such circumstances, especially
where the parties at interest have in
fiuential connections, the papers have
been slow to speak until they were rea-
sonably sure Of their facts. The first
published story appeared In the Char
lotte Chronicle Of last Friday. This
was repeated in the Observer Of Sat-
urday morning, and the Columbia
Record Of Saturday, gave quite ar
elaborate story, as follows:
Charles s. May, for eleven years
city treasurer at Rock Hill and kin tC
half the prominent people in the town
local political power, society leader
| fine dresser and high liver, Is con-
fessed embezler Of city funds to the
extent Of $1,000, his confession having
followed discoveries made in his books
| by Atlanta representatives OF the
American Audit company.
Following his confessions, made tc
Mayor Roddey, members Of the coun-
ellis finance committee and a number
Of others, but before the city took
charge of the records, May destroyed
several account books and most OF his
check stubs, making further intelli-
gent Investigation impossible. He also
wrote notes, saying that he was going
to commit suicide, but he didn't. He
has not been arrested. He had given q
personal bond for $4,000, and the con-
fessed shortage has been made good
but city officials believe his shortage
is much more than the amount con-
fessed to. He says he was half crazed
when he destroyed the records, but
that he is not short for a greater
amount.
The city council has declared his
office vacant, and Mr.. ]. M. Cherry
chairman Of the councils finance COM
mittee and vice-president Of the Ma
tional Union bank at Rock Hill, has
been put in temporary charge Of the
city's finances.
Mays confessions of being short, his
near suicide, his bondsmen making
good his shortage and his reported
sale Of his residence and fire insur-
ance business to reimburse his bonds
men, have been freely talked about
the streets of Rock Hill for two weeks
but nothing has been printed about
the affair by the local newspapers and
nothing sent out by the local CORES
pondents. The council is being crtt-
cised In some quarters for not making
the arrest before May had time to de-
stroy the records. His books have w
to two years ago been audited by loca1
accountants, one of whom was can
didate for mayor a few months ago
This information in his possession af-
ter he became mayor would have beer
valuable material politically for judi
cious exploiting, If he had gotten the
credit for springing the sensation, May
being a big influence in a strong po-
litical faction in the town, but 1t is
generally believed that May was eth
er not short at that time or he sue
ceeded in fooling both the mayoralty
candidate and Mr.. Cherry, one Of the
best and most experienced account
ants in the south.
City officials say that May, in order
to mislead the audit company people
transferred cash he received this
spring so as to make up last years
deficiency, his books being examined
as of date December 81, 1908. He re-
ported certain city bonds as sold last
summer, whereas, it is said, they were
not sold till this spring. He took In
and paid out much cash from time to
time, and received money for over
100000 worth of bonds, practically all
of the latter being now accounted for
as best it could be accounted for In
the condition of his books. 1t was the
chief of policies custom to turn In
fines to him with the chiefs stub fol
record. Practically all these stubs
have been destroyed, city officials say
May also received payments from
citizens on account Of concrete pave
ments laid, amounting to many thou
sand dollars, although it Is reported
from reliable sources that there is
now no way to tell who have and who
have not paid, which places a very
valuable account in a most confused
| condition, with the result that the city
| will lose several thousands of dollars
it is feared.
The understanding Is that he has
sold both his residence, valued at ST.
| 500, and his fire insurance business
| valued at $4,000, and has fully reim-
bursed his bondsmen.
May was not what could be called
a dissipated man, and so far as Is
known was not a gambler to any ex-
tent, but he was an elaborate dresser
and high liver generally.
| The foregoing data represents the
result Of careful inquiry In Rock Hill
by representative Of the Record.
Following the publication of the
foregoing in the Record Of Friday, the
following appeared in the State OF
Sunday as a special dispatch from
Rock Hill:
| "A shortage exists in the office OF
Treasurer c. S. May, who for a num-
ber Of years has been in the employ
Of the city. This much is known not
because any one 'unearthed' 1t, bu,
because Mr.. May himself went to hi;
bondsmen and so stated. He gives the
amount as $500, and the amount was
made good not by Mr.. Mays bonds
men, but by himself After Mr.. Mays
confession to his bondsmen there
were many rumors afloat but they
were merely rumors and 1t was the
intention Of the press, local papers ano
correspondents to await the officia-
statement from the city council, whicf
Is having an examination made by the
American Audit company. 1t Is ex-
pected that this report will be made
public in a short time. Mr.. May has
many friends here who deeply regret
his trouble"
| WITHIN THE TOWN.