The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-07-15
.SORRELS HAS A
S7,4OO SHORTAGE
CASHIER OF STATE SCHOO-
LAND DEPARTMENT SAYS SAFE
WAS ROBBED.

Oklahoma City, July li.-That
someone knowing the combination to
the state school land department
leasing division safe robbed it of the
cash With loss of which he is charg-
cd in a report of the state exam
liner to Governor Cruce, was the state
ment Of j. w. Sorrels, former cash
ier OF the lease division, Monday af-
ternoon.
Sorrels declared that he learned of
the shortage May 30, reported it to
the school land commission himself
and resigned. He said he was going
to make the shortage good.
Not a single fraudulent item will
be found" said Sorrels. 1t will never
be found that l falslfied an account,
| never forged a check or cashed one" ="
A confidential report from State
Examiner and Inspector Fred Park
inson to Governor Cruce, revealing n
shortage of approximately $7,400 In
the accounts of ]. Washington Sor-
rels, cashier OF the state school land
departments leasing division until
June l, was transmitted to Attorney
General West Monday afternoon.
Though the shortage was known
prior to June 1, it was not brought
to the official notice of the state
school land commission until Mon
day, July 7, when it is understood the
governor presented the examiners
report to the board, of which he is
chairman. Governor Cruce himself,
had no statement to make Monday,
nor were commtnts forthcoming from
Secretary John b. Williams, other
members of the school land commits
sion, or any of those connected with
the state examiners office.
Who Sorrels is.
Sorrsls is a son of State Senator f.
T. Sorrels of Milton, Latimer county.
He has been a candidate for appoint
ment by President Wilson as United
States marshal for the western dis
trict. He is a member of the eXecu-
tive committee of the Yonug Mems
Democratic club, statewide organi-
zation. The telephone directory lists
Kim as an attorney at law.
The Equitable Surety company of
st. Louis, of which Il. N. Beadles is
the local representative, bonded Sor-
rels for $4,000, and the case was
turned over to it May 30, the school
land commission notifying it that the
state was looking to it for protection
Bond Man Coming.
A representative of the bonding
company was expected to reach Ok
lahoma City Monday to ascertain fin
ally whether Sorrels and friends
would make the deficit good. The
examiners report was sent to the at
torn general for the purpose of de
termining whether any legal action
would devolve upon the state.
Sorrels is well known in Oklahoma
City. He attended Epworth univer-
sitv for several years, taking the law
course while Judge c. B. Ames was
dean. He worked his way through
college. He was tackle on the col
lege football team and made expense
money as physical director.
After receiving his diploma, Sor-
rcls began practicing law in Okla
homa City, but in 1910, a short time
after he was appointed by Governor
Haskell. cashier of the leasing di-
vision Of the state school land de-
partment. In the primary campaign
of 1912, when Haskell opposed Sem
ator r. L. Owen for denomination,
Sorrels was an ardent worker for the
man who gave him his position.
SEEMING the Washita.
A crowd left here today for Rock