The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-07-22
THEFT ON BIG SCALE
Story of An Austin Man
Reads Like Fiction
CONFESSEDIOS TEALING
"Cy" Thomson Has Got Away
With $4,000 of HORNED
Plant Money

Austin, Minn., July 1s.-R. J.
Thomson, comptroller of the Hor-
mel Packing company, was arrest
ed this morning on a warrant
signed by II. A. Corey, head Of the
employment department OF the
company. The warrant charges
Thomson appropriated a $4,000
check, the property OF the HORNED
Packing company, which he depos-
tied to the account of the Oakdale
farm on June 6, 1921.
Will Make Statement.
Otto Baudler, county attorney,
announced early this morning that
he would have a statement to make
regarding the Legal steps to be
taken in connection with the en-
bezzIements of r. }. Thomson,
owner of the oakdale Farms
here, who admitted taking more
Packing company Saturday,
through systematic system of
keeping books of the firm.
Accountants were today check
inq the books of the HORNED Pack
ing company, assisted by Thorn
son.
Following his arrest Thomson
conferred with his attorney, with
a view of arranging ball. At ten
whether he would be given pre-
liminary hearing before the justice
of the peace or taken to the coun-
ty Jail. Thomson's attorney said
he had not determined on what
course he would follow, but felt
sure that bail could be arranged
for his client.
Minneapolis, July 1S.-The Mime
apolis Tribune today declares audi
tors who returned to Minneapolis to-
day from Austin where they checked
the shortage of R. J. Thomson. the
comptroller of George A. HORNED
and company, said the amount of
the embezzlement will exceed one
million dollars, but will not reach
two million dollars"
Thomson In Jail.
Austin, Mimi, July 1S.-R. J. (Cy)
Thomson, comptroller of George A.
HORNED and Company, packers. was
placed in the county Jail today, after
his arrest on warrant charging
grand larceny in connection with
alleged misrepresentation of a check
4oE S1u,VVv. iuOusoA mas SoniSSscu
that he embezzled more than one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars OF
the packing company's funds.
The warrant was sworn out by
H. A. Corey, head of the company's
employment department. Arraigned
before a justice Of peace, Thomson
waived preliminary examination and
was bound over to the district court
On $25,O00, which he had been I'M
able to furnish early this afternoon.
Creditors to Meet In Chicago.
Officers Of the packing company de-
clared today that they did not know
the exact amount Of Thomson's specu-
lations, but hoped to make definite
announcement Wednesday when a
creditors meeting will be held in Chi
cago. Many unconfirmed 'rumors were
current today as to the extent of the
shortage, and report in Minneapolis
banking circles that the shortage
would approximate one million dol
lars brought forth this statement from
Jay c. HORNED, vice presidet OF the
company
NO banker has made an audit of
the company's books. The only audit
ors who have had access to our books
are here in our employ. / personally
have been supervising the investiga-
ton and have given out the only
figures which can be substituted
There are, OF course, many rumors not
founded on facts. The publication OF
incorrect figures would be fraught with
danger. If there are any changes in
the amount, the press may rest as
sured it will be advised promptly"
Thomson Permitted To See Wife.
Before he was taken to Jail, Thorn
son was permitted to go to his home
to see his wife and ten year old SON
Gerald. A deputy sheriff accompan-
led him, and several newspaper men
followed closely. Thomson was met by
his wife and son and his mother, aged
seventy years, at his home. When his
mother entered the room, Thomson
said quietly:
- This is over the trouble at the
packing house. / will have to 60 with
the deputy sheriff and he will tell me
what to do"
Then there was silence, finally
broken by the sobb1ng voice Of the
young SON: Papa, why did you do
it?"
Tears streamed down the face of the
accused man, and for several moments
he was shaken with emotion. Thorn
son remained only few minutes more
with his family, and his composure re-
covered, walked calmly to the Jail.
Thomson said today that his "sys-
tenn" as he called it, was very sim
pie. He said all he did was to take
checks sent in to the HORNED company
and endorse them with pay to the
order of the Oakdale Farms, Inc.," and
checked against them.
Austin, Mimi, July 18.-Formal an
nouncement was made late Saturday
by George A. HORNED & Company
packers Of Austin, that r. j. (Cy)
Thomson, comptroller of the com
pany, is at least $4,000 short in his
accounts. Thomson has admitted the
defalcation.
The shortage was discovered a
week ago, but was not announced un-
til expert accountants checked the
books of the packing plant, which
does business of 100000 a year
All this money passed through Thorn
sons hands.
Thomson, whose salary is $4,000 a
year, is said to have put large part
of the money he embezzled into his
three Oakdale farms, city property
and many other ventures where he
had assumed the role Of town bene-
factor. His ventures had brought
fame to Austin and Leroy.
Jay G. HORNED was named a trustee
of all of Thomson's property, which
he turned over to the packing COM