Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-04-15
CoNFEssEs TO EMBEzzLEMENT
A Prison Sentence Puts an End To the
Career of One of Jerome's
Promising Young Men,

of chronicling the events OF local as
well as general nature, and 1t be-
comes our painful duty this week to
tell to the world the downfall of one
of Jerome's most promising and
bright young men. Had thunder
bolt struck the town from a clear sky
1t could not have created any more
of sensation than did the announce
ment that went out Saturday that |
Chas. F. Massey, the trusted cashier |
of the Farmers & Merchants State |
Bank, OF this place, was a defaulter, |
and had made an open confession of |
his crime. The news seem to cast a
gloom over the entire town where
Mr.. Massey is so well known, and was
honored. trusted and respected by
everyone, and his downfall was the
topic of conversation on the streets
and In the homes.
Mr. Massey was first employed as
book-keeper in this bank soon after
its organization, having come here
bearing most satisfactory rccommen
dations from his former home In
Kansas. He at once won the conf
dence and esteem of his employers,
and about three years ago when the
former cashier. Mr.. Huyette. was ap-
pointed state bank examiner, Mr..
Massey was unanimously chosen as
cashier OF the bank by the directors,
having held this responsible position
until the climax last week
Word coming to Gilbert j. White,
the president of the bank from some
of the banks correspondence that
things did not seem quite satisfac-
> tory in regards TO the business trans
=, actions of the cashier of the bank,
-. Mr. White came over from Shoshone
and at once commenced an examina-
ton o: the books. and before he had
finished he was called aside by Mr.
Massey who astonished the president
by stating that he was an embezzler
giving to Mr. White the exact sun
OF the shortage that would b,
:, found.
State Bank Examiner Hit. o
- Boise, was at once sent for and
hasty examination OF the books o
the bank showed the cashiers state
ment to be correct. the amount hay
ay ing been found to be Il trife owe
$l8.500. The directors of the ban
were Immediately called together an
sc were astonished by the revelation
er made to them. When questioned a
Ill what disposition he had made of tn
he money. Mr.. Massey could only repl
rip that he did not know. any furtht
IN than that he had spent it, and III
he most rigid questioning brought Il
zen further explanation.
Tor AS the examination proceeded
ng, was found that Massey had common
lbs ed his Interpretations of the funt
or OF the bank almost from the fir
tul month that he entered its emplo
one covering the same from the eyes
ure the other officers of the bank al
ely from the scrutiny of the various bar
'ho examiners that have time and tin
you again gone over the books OF q
rip bank. in such a manner that he
Viii pronounced by Mr. Hit as one of {
pre- cleyerest embezzlers that he has CIV
Tor had to deal with.
Is II any wonder that an announC
ment OF this nature was sufficient
mac cause a sensation among the citize
H.. of the town who had known Char
for years and had looked upon h
Iade as a shrewd young business man.
east was at no time considered spei
put thrift. his habits were good and
wing home life a pleasant one. and II
one yet mystery among his most II
Mr.. mate friends as to what disposit
bird he made of the money.
the Mr.. Massey was turned over to
soon bank examiner and was taken Def
ex- Judge Boutwell, on Saturday even
the last where he confessed his guilt
iates received an intermediate sentence
ract. from to 20 years. He was taker
City Boise on Sunday TO commence
the term. After being apprehended
sec receiving the sentence of the CO.
dis he frankly admitted that he felt
prac- ter than he had for years. That
the ing the past few years he had scan
to every stranger that entered the ba
lnder expecting at any moment to be 70
city. out. However. this did not deter
prise from continuing his practice. as
prop ing the past seven months since
resi- bank has been under it's new Il
agement, the shortage will amour
something over $4,000.
The shortage thus caused
however. have no effect upon
next condition of the bank as the s
ntyre. has peen mace good III iac'
bank is today in better condi
~ 'ne than II ever was. In this conneC
u oe's we give herewith a copy OF II
NOM. to the president of the bank
u Will Bank Examiner Hit, after ma