Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1909 — SHALE ROCK PAPERS MISSING [ARTICLE]

SHALE ROCK PAPERS MISSING

Engineer Admits Taking Books to Of- ~ fice of Contractor’s Attorney. Chicago, Nov. 12.—N0 trace of the missing documents in the Contractor MeGovern shale rock controversy has been found. The papers were taken from the city hall to the office of T. J. Fell, attorney for M. H. McGovern, by Assistant City Engineer Ralph A. Bon nell last Friday. They were Bonnell’s field notes, w hich would show the only detailed figures supporting the pay ment of $45,984.20 to McGovern. Bonnell made this admission before the Merriam investigating commission after telling a sensational story that the city’s books in the case were stolen from his house, by a burglar. Bonnell stated he wanted to photograph certain pages in the books, and had taken them home for that purpose. The engineer insists the books were seized by thieves.