The Washington herald., 1910-05-16
DBFAULTER KEMP
SOON TO BE FREE
Wife and Son Await Police
Clerk from Prison.
HE ROBBED PROTECTIVE FUND
Story of Flight Two Years Ago and
Arrest at New Orleans Recalled by
Approach of May -, when Doors
of MOundsviIIe Penitentiary Will
Open for Once Respected Man.

J. Arthur Kemp. former chief clerk Of
the police department. who was SEN
fenced to the United States peniten-
tiary at Moundsville. W. Va. for two
years for embezzllng several thousand
dollars from the funds Of the Police Pro-
tective Association, VIII be released on
May p.
The sentence was shortened four
months and twenty-three days for good
behavior. ana the prisoner Will have
spent only one year, seven months. and
seven days IN confinement.
A wife. whose devotion has never les
sened since his arrest awaits Kemp in
Washington, where she has earned the
money tor her livelihood during his i'm
prisonment by selling perfumery in a de-
partment store.
Their son. Leslie L. Kemp idol Of the
mother and pride of the father, eagerly
awaits the day he VIII return 70 begin
life anew.
Whether Kemp VIII return TO Wash
ington, where he IS widely known or
seek his fortune In new fields. IS con-
lecture among his former associates. If
he does not his wife and son will Join
him elsewhere.
The KemDs had a beautiful suburban
home near Rockville. but it was aban-
doned when Kemp disappeared after the
expose OF the irregularities in his ac-
counts Mrs. Kemp and her son have
been living in the city.
Leaves Path OF Honesty.
The story Of Kemp is the story OF a
man who, by years Of labor and hon
esty. gains the confidence and admIra-
tion OF his superiors. and then commits
a wrong, which his friends do not be-
lieve until it is proven beyond the
shadow OF a doubt.
As chief clerk, Kemp had charge Of
the funds OF The PoIicemen's Protective
Association. which pays pensions to wild
ows Of policemen. Il was said he drew
various amounts from the fund. month
after month, until he had obtained an
amount variously estimated at between
5000 and $4,000
One morning the widow OF Policeman
3. Flynn called at the Office 10 obtain
$3.50 which was due her Kemp told her
he could not give her the money that
day. and TO return I'm a few days She
made several attempts 10 procure the
money, but was unsuccessful
Starts an Investigation.
She finally carried the matter before
Maj. Sylvester, and an investigation was
begun. Kemp disappeared July 3. 1907.
before his irregularities were discovered.
Rewards were offered by Mai Sylvester.
and the country was flooded with cir
culars bearing descriptions Of the de-
faulting clerk. Kemp was hard TO find.
Six months elapsed. and one dav a de-
tcctive found him in the paddock OF a
race track at New Orleans. Kemp was
down and out" He and the detective
who arrested him had been friends. The
detective treated him to dinner, paid for
a shave. a Turkish bath. and bought him
new clothing. Then they boarded a train
for Washington
The trial was set for the spring fol- |
lowing HIS arrest. but he grew I'll and #
was postponed until the fall The case
vas finally called before Justice Gould
IN Criminal Court. No. l. Attorney Sam
lel V. Hayden defended Kemp and the
,ase was prosecuted by District Attorney
Baker
a light sentence was recommended. and \
Justice Gould sentenced Kemp 10 two I
years. Kemp left Washington the after /
noon Of October p. 1908. for Moundsviue
accompanied by a United States deputy /