Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1919 — COUNTY CLERK IS GONE; CHECKS GO UNHONORED [ARTICLE]

COUNTY CLERK IS GONE; CHECKS GO UNHONORED

Decatur, Ind., May 2.—William Hammell, clerk of Adams county, is missing, and representatives of the state , board of accounts arrived here today to begin an investigation. The action, taken at the request of John T. Kelley, deputy clerk, followed refusal of a local bank to cash a check signed by Mr. Hammell. When a check was returned a few days ago, marked “not paid for want of funds” surprise was created in the office, as its cash books showed on . deposit $6,786 on Saturday, April 26. The amount included checks, currency and Liberty bonds. Mr. Hammell was absent from his office the greater part of last week, and was at the office only on Monday of this week, when he left, presumably to go to the Fisher bathhouse in Fort Wayne. He has not been found, however, nor has the money, although it may be deposited in other banks than at the one where' he was in the habit of doing business. He has held the office of clerk three years, his term expiring January 1, 1920, when he will be succeeded by Mr. Kelley, the deputy. Mr. Hammell is under SIO,OOO bond with a surety company, of which Walton Johnson is local representative.