The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-13
FORMER TREASURER OF UTAH is
IN JAIL FOR STEALING MORE
THAN $4,000.
MAKES FULL CONFESSION
James christensen Says He Appro-
priated Bonds to His Own Use to
Enterprises Bondsmen Deposit
Amount Of Shortage With State.

Salt Lake, Utah, March 12.-James
Christensen, who was state treasurer
of Utah for four years, his term end
ing at the beginning of the present
year. is in cell in the county jail, fol-
lowing his arrest this morning on the
charge that he was a defaulter to the
amount of $70,62S.94 of state bonds.
His bondsmen and friends have de-
posted the amount to the credit of the
state and christensen had admitted
his shortage
Although Christensen appropriated
part of the money almost a year
ago, the shortage was not discovered
until a few days ago by the checking
up of the accounts by State Auditor
j. ID. Jewkes and former State Audi
tor j. A. Edwards, who was called in
to check up his own books and upon
which the suspicious entry appeared.
The investigation disclosed that
Christensen on May 26, 1908, had
taken $1O,62S.94, which was paid by
Mrs. Julia A. Kimball as an inheri-
tance tax. On February 4, of the pres
ent year, County Treasurer John
Grosebeck paid Christensen 100000,
being a portion of the county taxes
due the state For both of these
amounts christensen gave receipts
from the back of his receipt books.
The discovery of a shortage came
when the county treasurer paid the
balance of the county taxes to Chris
tiansen's successor.
Disclosure Made.
The formal examination Of the
books of the office began and the dis
closures were made.
Christiansen was in Chaffey, Nevada,
looking after his interests when he
was informed of the condition of af-
fairs by wire and returned Tuesday.
He met his bondsmen and confessed
With two men in attendance he has
been kept under surveillance until
after the story became public Then
followed his formal arrest and then
imprisonment
Christensen said he used the money
in mining operations in Nevada, be-
ing heavily interested in the Deitricll
Mining e Milling company.
1t was the intention of the incorpor-
ators of the company to build an ore
reducing plant to work the dump of
the old Comstock mine. Christensen
placed about $4,000 into the company.
1t is stated his associates failed to
raise their share Of the money need
ed and Christensen was caught in a
position where it meant the loss of the
money already invested. which belong
ed to the state, took more money and
completed the mill. He was also in
terested in the Rosedale Mining COM
pany near Virginia City and was man
ager of the Chaffey Investment com-
pany.
Calls for Reports.
Following the discovery of Chris
tiansens shortage, State Auditor
Jewkes has called upon all county
treasurers for statements Of the inher-
itance and state taxes for 1908, and is
preparing to send travelling auditors to
every county to examine the accounts
and compare them with the book of
the state treasurer.
For several years previous to his
election as state treasurer Christian
sen was cashier of a bank in Richfeld.
He has also been active in state poll
ties and is at present state treasurer
of the Utah board of commissioners of
the Alaska Yukon Pacific exposition
He has wife and three children. To
indemnify his bondsmen Christensen
has transferred all his property to
them.