Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1889 — BOODLERS IN THE WEST. [ARTICLE]

BOODLERS IN THE WEST.

SIOKANE FALLS OFFICIALS ARE CHARGED WITH CRIME. It Is Alleged They Appropriated Goods Sent for the Relief of the Sufferer* by Ihe Conflagration, Selling Them and Pocketing the Money Several Arrests Made. A Spokane Falls (W. T.) dispatch says: Disgraceful exposures have just been made here which implicate the members of the common council and a police officer. The names of the suspected persons are Sidney D. Waters, Peter Dueber, and William Gillespie. These men are charged with having formed a conspiracy to appropriate funds and supplies furnished for the relief of those who suffered by the recent disastrous fire. Several weeks ago Robert Inglis was arrested at Chico, Cal., on a charge of having sold contributed provisions and appropriated the proceeds. On being, brought back he made the startling statement that a conspiracy existed among the officials and others for the appropriating on a large scale of relief supplies. Inglis was examined and admitted to bail,but has since disapDeared. A partial investigation shows that several thousands of dollars worth of goods have been stolen and converted into money. A report which has been made implicates Councilmen Dueber and Waters and Police Officer Gillespie. Bitter feeling prevails over the scandalous exposures. At a meeting it was resolved to protect the city’s good name by prosecuting to the full extent of the law all who are suspected of complicity in the proceedings. Warrants have been sworn out by A. M. Cannon, chairman of the relief committee, for the arrest of the three suspects on a charge of gi-and larceny. Arrests will be made at once. It is understood that other warrants will be sworn out soon. Ithas long been suspected that a “boodle” conspiracy existed in the council. The three men appeai-ed before JusticeDunning and were released in bonds of SI,OOO each. They. have engaged some of the ablest attorneys in th 6 city to defend them. There is great excitement over the arrest, and the relief committee has adopted vigorous measures for the discovery of the whereabouts of Inglis.