The Trusted Deputy and the Missing $900

Jacob Jenne, ex-treasurer of Island county, was in the city last night investigating a shortage of his once trusted deputy, J. B. Libbey, which was discovered in the course of his settlement with the commissioners. It appears, after a careful checking up of the county account kept at Dexter Horton & Co.'s bank in this city, that Libbey's defalcation amounts to $926.70, an amount considerably less than was at first supposed. Mr. Jenne will immediately make good the deficiency from his own private funds. Libbey has not been arrested, owing to his large family and his long residence in the county.

Libbey's defalcation was simply the result of a man spending more money than he earned. He had lived in the county thirty years, repeatedly been honored with election to various county offices, all of which he filled in such a manner that his honesty and capability were never questioned. When Mr. Jenne was elected county treasurer he chose Mr. Libbey as deputy, and, as Mr. Jenne's time was taken up with business that required his attention exclusively, Libbey had full charge of the treasurer's office. The closing of Mr. Jenne's term, the withdrawing of private funds entrusted to Libbey's care, and a final accounting with the county commissioners exposed the defalcation. Owing to the fact that the bank book was not balanced to date the shortage as figured by the county commissioners appeared larger than it really was.

The defalcation causes great surprise and much comment. Libbey offers no explanation for his shortage and the circumstances indicate that it is an accumulation of peculation extending over Mr. Jenne's entire term. It seems that a number of private individuals intrusted Libbey with their funds to be kept in the treasurer's safe and that Libbey succeeded in concealing his shortage at each quarterly settlement by using private funds deposited with him until a settlement, and, after satisfying the commissioners, replaced the money where it belonged until necessary to be again used at the next settlement.

When the time drew near for Mr. Jenne to transfer the office to his successor, he called on Libbey for a settlement, but the latter made various excuses for delay and finally pleaded sickness and took to his bed. Mr. Jenne then obtained the combination of the safe from him and soon discovered the shortage. When asked where the missing money was, Libbey simply said: "I don't know."

Libbey has some property, under mortgage, however, and offers to secure Mr. Jenne by a second mortgage, and it is believed that the treasurer will eventually be made whole.

Deputy Libbey is a widower with four young children and an aged mother depending on him, and for this reason, coupled with his long residence, he has not yet been placed under arrest.