The weekly soliphone., 1915-01-15
CLAY COUNTY OFFICIALS
 ALLEGED ID BE SHORT
Former Sheriff Matthews and For- mer Treasurer CargilI in Dis
 pute*Over Settlement.
Piggott Banner)

Considerable excitement prevailed
 among the visitors and attendants oi the circuit court this week when if became known that the grand jury was Investigating an alleged shortage of former county officials.
 It sAes been known among those convgfsant with county affairs that there had appeared discrepancy between former Treasurer Cargill's and Sheriff Matthews books. It was also known that the two former of ficers were not willing to come to a compromise on this discrepancy. MT Cargill contended that his books were correct and that Mir. Matthews owed him as treasurer something like SIG, 6,000 MT. Matthews claimed that he had an amount which should go to MT. Cargill which exceeded eight thousand dollars. This he of- fered to pay into the hands of MT. Cargill. However, MT. Cargill refus- ed to accept this amount as final settlement, and thus the matter stood .when the present commissioners of Accounts met and began to audit the books of the several officials.
 When the shortage became known, and members of the present grand jury became aware of the matter an investigation was ordered, and 1t still is under way, and will likely be brought to a head during the sessions of the grand jury today.
 Attorneys for both parties are at work trying to make an amicable set clement between the two former of- ficials, and with these forces work ing in harmony, it is certain that the terests of the county and all parties concerned.
 The alleged shortage has been running since 1913, with each off cial claiming that he was correct in the matter and each refusing to mcie a settlement by the others books.
 The shortage came up on account of checks being misplaced in the mails, which MT. Cargill admits. However, he had receipted Mir Mat thews for these checks, and it is sup posed the collectors books reflecte l this credit to his account, which amounted in all to something near sixteen thousand dollars. MT. Mat thews admitted that he had an ex- cess of funds to the amount of $8,- 700, and it was his contention that this amount is all that he was nor ally bound for in his settlements with the county treasurer.
 There has been no financial state ment of the condition of the county published for the past three years, and the people were unaware there were any discrepancies appearing in the several settlements of the off, cials. MT. Winton, the former coun- ty clerk, it is said, claims that he was unable to publish a financial statement, owing to the condition the two accounts of the collector and treasurer were in.
 Each party to the affair has been interviewed by representative of this paper, and while each contends that he is correct in his statement of the fact, they both say that there will be a settlement made that will bring items into their proper shape, with a view to making just settle ment with the county's finances. MT. Matthews has in his hands $S,700 in cash, which he is ready to pay into the treasurer's office. The remain ing discrepancy will likely be settled in an amicable manner.