The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-09-29
POSTMISTRESS TWO
THOUSAND SHORT
REGULATIONS Have Been Going on
for Many Months, and She De-
clares She Spent the Money
on Herself-Great Surprise
and Sympathy.

s-sCN NiSCVNeIeu IN the accounts of
Miss Rena b. Askew, cashier in the
substation postoffice at First and
Broad Streets
Postoffice inspectors who have
been here for the last week have so
iar uncovered shortage of $1,911.S5
IN the accounts of the substation.
This office is In the drug store Of
the Childrey Drug Company, and is
one or the busiest to be found in the
city. For the last three years, as well
as can be ascertained at this time.
the office has been under the con-
troll and entire charge of Miss Askew.
the accused young lady, whose home
is at 1O5 North Twenty-ninth Street
According to Mr.. Childrey, in
charge OF the drug store and who is
anC accounting for the money taken
In at the postoffice, Miss Askew has
made complete confession to Post
office Inspector Edward c. SaffeI.
So Tar there has been no attempt
to prosecute Miss Askew, and 1t is
known that just as soon as the de-
mand was made on Mr.. Childrey he
came up and made good the deficit
so that the dealing is really between
him and the Government, so far as
the shortage Is concerned.
Going on for Months
Miss Askew is alleged to have
stated to Mr.. Saffel, the inspector.
that the peculations have been going
on Tor seven or eight months but as
yet the inspectors have not completed
their examination. and they are not
ready to say anything about the
length Of time that the money has
been distracted from the office Miss
Askew declared to the inspector that
all the money which may have dis
appeared from the office and which
herself.
Judge L. L. Lewis, the District At
torney, is away from the city, and for
that reason no steps have been taken
looking TO the arrest of anyone who
may be connected with the matter
MT Childrey was seen at his home
SlS South Fourth Street, and was
asked 10 confirm the reports which
have been in circulation for the last
three days. He said that the inspec-
tors had so far found a shortage in
the accounts of $1.911.S5, and that
ports and accounts.
Looks like 1 have found another
SIOO missing. said Mr.. Childrey today,
repeating what the inspector had told
him, and Mr.. Childrey replied: IF that
is so, then am in for another 800"
Good Cashier.
Askew had succeeded her sister as
postmaster. some three years ago Miss
drug company. and when her sister left
Miss Rena was placed in charge of
the pOStOffiCe.
Il want to say that she was the best
cashier ever saw; could handle money
quicker, make change better, have few
er mistakes, and do more business than
any person 1 ever saw in my life" was
the tribute MIR. Childrey paid Miss
As kew today.
cred and the amount fixed, Mr.. Chill
drey at once drew the check of the
firm for the amount. handing il over to
the Federal officials. he being the post
master, and directly responsible to the
Postofice Department for the loss.
Miss Askew handled a large amount
of money in the posVorice which was
under her charge. 1t was stated today
that between September LIST and Sep
TENDER 18th she had issued money
orders to the amout or some S1,700.
What amount was handled in the way
or stamps is not easily aScertained
without going over the stamp account
and ascertaining just what stamps
have been sold and the amount still on
hand.
Mr.. Childrey is at a loss to under
stand how the money could have been
taken without the officers discovering
the loss. Miss Askew is said to have
admitted that her populations covered
period of seven or eight months. If
that is correct. then she succeeded in
putting one over on the inspectors
who went over her accounts in June
last and when they gave her a clean
bill of health. The inspectors at that
time are said to have congratulated
her on the manner in which she kept
her accounts and the way she had bal
anced them to a cent.
JuEEled Her Accounts.
However the money was hlched from
the strong box OF the postoffice substa-
ton may be known to the inspectors,
but they have not yet made known just
whaf they 6 hSEe told her as sn to her
once or twice. according to Mr.. Chill
drew. notified that her account was
short and she is said to have inform
ed them that the money was in tran
sit to the main office. In this way she
kept the accounts open, and when
money was taken in she would make
good the deficit from time to time. She
kept her accounts in such manner that
the inspectors were bahied all the time
The inspectors came to the city Sep
TENDER 9th, and at once began to take
notice OF what was going on, They
word to Miss Askew. They We're wait
ing for her report, which should have
been in hand that date. When it did
not come until nine days later they
walked in and demanded OF Mr. Chill
drey a settlement, Miss Askew was
at once relieved of her duties.
Miss Askew has been and is a very
popular woman. She is bright and
quick. very intelligent and has been
diligent in her duties. That there
should be any Irregularities in her
accounts. or that any blame should
attach to her. is a thing that will
surprise and shock her friends and
acquaintance.
Mr. Childrey is wholly unable to
account for her actions, and said to-
day that she was about the last per-
son In the world whom he would !
have suspected of any wrong in the |
of q position of trust.
Mr.. Childrey has obtained another |
lady and placed her in charge of the |
office, and everything is moving along I
as if nothing had happened.
1t is not known that there will be |
any prosecution in the case, and
sometime will elapse before there is
4 step taken in the matter, If there
s any action at all.
Mr.. Childrey expressed q good deal |
IF sympathy for the young lady to-
lay.