South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-08
EMPLOYE HELD
FOR THEFT OF
COMPANY FUND
Thomas Wilkinson. %, Charg-
ed With Embezzlement of
Nearly $4,000.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE
he would not be able to definitely
ascertain how much money wilkin-
son had actually stolen until COM
plete audito fthe company's books
had been made He did say. how
ever. that ne had partially checked
the books and had discovered that
between $4,000 and $4,000 was &C
tually missing.
Mother Visits City.
In the meantime. his mother.
Mrs. NJ Wilkinson. Decatur. III. ar
rived in this city Saturday and
learning OF her sons actions. i'm
mediately began negotiations with
Mr.. futile 20 make settlement.
She pleaded with him 20 allow her
son 10 go free and let him make
restitution as best he could. Mr..
futile, however. refused and she at
once advised him that she would
return home and attempt 10 secure
enough money 20 cover the amount
taken by her son.
Mr. futile declared that he is
willing TO droL all charges against
Wilkinson, provided that he can be
reimbursed for the money taken.
but If this amount is not forthcom-
ing ne intends 10 let the law take
its course. The sentence for en-
bezzlement is from two to IA years
imprisonment.
Mr.. Tuttle declared that Wilkin-
son had been employed by him for
more than a year and that he had
placed the utmost confidence in him
until a few months ago. He de
clared that he discovered through
various sources that Wilkinson was
leading a pretty fast life" He
said he advised him to find new
companions and on several occa-
sions told him that ne was becom-
ing suspicious of his actions. This.
however. failed 10 have any effect
on him and he continued 10 keep
travelling with his old friends.
Tells Whole Story.
When confronted with the situa-
ton Friday night, Wilkinson broke
down and told his employer that
even though he had taken money
from him he was intending TO pay
il back. Mr. futile then asked him
how much money he had taken.
Wilkinson replied he did not know.
Mr. futile asked him how he eX-
pected TO pay the money back if he
did not know how much he had
taken. He made no reply.
Despite the fact Wilkinson con-
tends he has only been apprOpriat-
ing the firms money for his personal
use during the past few months Mr..
futile declared that he believes that
Wilkinson. taking notice of the
loose way in which the company con-
Quoted its business, began stealing
money shortly after he started TO
work as head bookkeeper.
In this capacity he was allowed to
handle all the funds taken in each
day by the corporation He adopted
the system Of making out one de-
post slip for the corporation and
another for the particular bank.
The bank book he kept at all times
in his own possession. In this way
Mr.. futile was only taking cogniz-
ance of the amount Of money being
recorded on the firms deposit slips.
and never saw the amount that was
being deposited at the bank.
BIameS Companions.
Mr.. futile in speaking Of the case
last night declared that he did not
blame Wilkinson as much as he did
1.-THE companions he was travelling
with" He also partially blamed
himself for allowing Wilkinson too
,, much freedom with the company's
money and his access to the books
of the firm.
Mr.. futile has given Mrs. Wilkin-
son until Monday TO carry out her
plans of settlement. and if the mon
ey is not returned by that time or
some other negotiations made. he
will be forced to prosecute.