Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-09
.F|LCHEO FUNDS,
ADMITS CRIME
Treasurer Of Cedar Rapids
Theater Cenfesses to
Embezzlement.
IMPLICATES HUGO,
HIS EMPLOYER
Total Shortage Of Two Men Alleged TO
Be 6,Ooo-Investiga alton by Dstse-
tive Agency Shows Portion Of Re-
esipts Were systematically Withheld,
and Revelations Bring Confession
From Treasurer Medhurst.


From Treasurer Medhurst.
Cedar Rapids, Dec. 9.-Vic Hugo,
one of the best known theatrical man
ayers and showmen Of the west, leasee
OF the Majestic Theater, and proprietor
of Hugo Brothers circus, and pro-
moter of several world touring exhibit
tions, is charged with having wrong
fully diverted receipts of the house to
his personal use. to the amount of
$4,000. George Medhurst, treasurer in
behalf Of the owners, is involved to the
amount Of $4,000. Mr.. Medhurst made
a full confession yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Hugo has not been heard of since
l o'clock yesterday afternoon. when he
left the home of Medhurst after learn
ing that his treasurer had made a
complete confession.
Detectives Discover Shortages.
Pinkerton detectives, who have been
checking up the Majestic Theater at
tendance and receipts for the past
two weeks, took charge Of the theater
yesterday afternoon. In short time
there were rlmors that Manager Vic
Hugo and Treasurer George Med
hurst were accused Of appropriating
q large share Of the receipts to their
own use, to the great financial loss
of the owners OF the theater. Later
1t was said that Vic Hugo had not
been seen since early in the after
noon, when he left stating that he
was going to see lawyer.
Amount 10 Very Large.
No one knows the exact amount Of
the alleged misappropriatiop Of the re-
ceipts. Hugo, it is said, kept three
fourtfls Of the amount and gave Med
hurst one-fourth Of the amount taken.
That is the belief Of Medhurst, who
made q kull confession In aa signed
statement yesterday. The signed state
lnent rs .new-tn the possession Of Coun-
ity Attorney Guy Liuvtlle. 4!
| Detectives Haves essn 1usy
Several Pinkerton detectives have
been working on the case for the past
two weeks. Room No. IN the Per-
petual building on Third street, Just
across from the Republican and Times
office was rented for them. They have
been in the room great deal during
the past two weeks and the owners Of
the theater and others interested have
been frequent visitors there.
The detectives went about their
work very systematically. They at
tended every show given at the Ma
jestic, purchasing their tickets like
other playgoers. They went early, as
rule-at least early enough to count
all those who were in the theater
when they arrived. Each had a little
pocket register and a slight pressure
of q button upon it registered the
purchasers Of the seats as they came
in.. There were detectives in various
parts of the house, upstairs and down.
They checked the attendance on each
floor, and when they reached their
office they checked their counts, find-
ing them to tally very closely-usually
within one or two on each Of tho floors.
Soon Detected tho Shortage.
The detectives had list Of the
! passes and various free admissions,
so that they were able to calculate
just how much money there ought to
be in the till after every performance.
; They compared these calculations
with the reports Of the treasurer, Mr..
| Medhurst and in that way they as
certained that the money accounted
| for to the Majestic Theater Company
was from $40 to $125 a day less than
actual amount taken in.
Questioned George Medhurst.
For two weeks the Pinkerton men
found that never q day passed without
a large shortage In the receipts ac-
! counted for by Mr.. Hugo and Mr.
Medhurst. When they were satisfied
that they had an absolutely clear
case, they requested an interview with
Mr.. Medhurst. They called to thei,
assistance Captain Mcclure OF the
Cedar Rapids detective force. And
t'Mr. Medhnrst told what everyone in
terested believes to be an absolutely
| truthful story.
Did He Get 4 "square DsaI?"
In his signed statement he admits
that he has been receiving a share OF
the money held back. He understood
that Vic Hugo was giving him about
| 25 per cent Of the receipts misappro-
priated and keeping IS per cent for
| himself. OF course he had to leave the
division Of the spoils to Mr.. Hugo and
he is not sure that Mr.. Hugo gave
him what might be termed Square
deal" In the division. But that was
the understanding between them.
|. lasted Four Years.
This made Medhurst,s receipts some
where from $40 to $50 per week, de-
pending on the amount Of the business
! and and tt.::s added 90 h!s $40 week salary
knetted him q tidy sum. He maintains
that he was . long time at the theater
before Vie Hugo was able to tempt and
threaten him Into the crooked work,
! but finally he thought he had to yield
and he has heen engaged in the work
about four years.
There were times when Medhurst
WAS called away from the door to at
tend 10 other matters In the theater
and at such times some other employe
or some one connected with the the
ater took his place, taking UP the tick
cts, so that he did not have an, abso-
lutte check on his,ransactions with
Hugo. =
Soms sympathy For Msdhurst.
- Medhurst recsntiy built himself a