The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-07-21

a year ago Saturday night, the fact
was made known that a shortage
existed, and it was then that David
Herbert, ]. ]. Roberts and Jacob
Lorentz were appointed a committee
to make an investigation and if pos.
sible effect settlement with Bowen.
The committee had several unsatis-
factory interviews with. Bowen. He
would state to them that whenever
they could determine the amount
that he was indebted to the district
he would square up"
Just the amount Bowen was In
debted to the district could not be
figured out because his books had
not been kept in a business-like man.
ner. The committee found items
denoting that a few accounts had
been paid, but there were no figures
to show how much their treasurer
had received from the county and
state during his term of office.
Annual Meeting on Saturday Night.
The annual meeting of the school
district was held Saturday night.
Seven persons were present. A
partial probe of the financial condi-
ton of the district revealed that
Bowen was still shy about 5000 not
withstanding a deposit of $16S or
Whereabouts made by him in the
Mankato State bank on Wednesday,
the day prior to his departure for
Canada. The board will hold a meet
ing next Saturday night to make a
further examination of the books
and papers that have been left be.
hind by the once treasurer of the
district.
How the Interest Piled Up.
The slip-shod methods of the form
err treasurer have cost the district
considerable money in the shape
of interest. Bills were ordered paid
by the board and warrants drawn
for the amounts. These would be
turned over to the parties entitled
to them and they in turn would pre-.
sent the orders to a local bank for
payment. The bank accepted the
paper readily and Notwithstanding
the fact that money was in the
treasury the treasurer did not take
up the warrants and the bank would
charge interest at the rate of seven
per cent per annum.
1t was bought out at the school
meeting Saturday night that interest
to the amount of twenty cents had
accumulated on warrant for ST
drawn in favor of Grover Sorrell
This is but an illustration of the
way the business of the district was
transacted.
Bowen was appointed treasurer o.
the district about five years ago, sue
ceeding John Keidle, who removed
to North Dakota. He served unit
year ago when the district elected
Jacob LorentZ, who has given ex
cellent satisfaction.
Clerk Makes Investigation.
Adolph Hultengren, clerk of schoo
district No. 4, was in Mankato Sat
urday afternoon for the purpose O.
| investigating the accounts of the
| former treasurer. He learned tina
Bowen had deposited in the Man
kato State bank the sum of $168 OF
Wednesday last, and this amour
added to $1O3 which was already OF
deposit placed $271 to the credit o
the district. In conversation will
The Free Press yesterday, Mr.. HUI
tengren stated that according to al
examination made on Friday there
was a discrepancy in the Bowen &C
count with the district of $3.50. How
ever, the amount found to be OF
deposit cut the discrepancy to $309
Served Without Bond.
1t has been learned that Bower
served the district as treasurer TO
some time without having furnished
a bond. However, the time cam'
when he must furnish bond other
wise he could not draw school fund
from the county. A bond in thu
sum of $500 was made out by MI
Hultengren, who was the town clerk
and it was endorsed by Mrs. Hutton
gren. No other surety was on tn
bond. 1t is doubtful if this bond i
worth the paper it is written on a
it was never formally accepted an
approved by the school board. TIL
document is now on file with tn
town clerk of South Bend. Mr.. HUI
tengren stated to The Free Pres
that he was the only member Of tn
board who had ever approved tn
bond; that he made out the bon
and certified it to the county aud
tor so that Bowen could draw none
from the county treasury for the dis
trict. This bond was prepared se1
eral years ago and seems to hav
served the purpose for which
was intended.
Whether any proceedings will
: instituted against Bowen has nc
: yet been determined by the board
An effort will first be made to fin
out just what amount is due the di.
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