Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1910 — BENTON TRUSTEE RESIGNS [ARTICLE]

BENTON TRUSTEE RESIGNS

Accounts Alleged Badly Muddled —Will Likely Be Succeeded By a Democrat. Fred F. Killen, trustee of Boliver township, Benton county, has resigned his office under fire, and will likely be succeeded by a democrat, the auditor being of that political persuasion. It is reported that there is some $2,300 discrepancy in lvis accounts. The Fdwler Leader (rep.) says of Mr. Killen’s troubles: Attorney Berry has been Mr. Kjlllen’a lawyer and advisor ever since he became trustee’ At the beginning of his term Mr. Berry repeatedly Warned Killen that he should obey the law to the letter and only spend money when tho cause was justifiable and tho expenditure according to law. Mr. Berry claims that Killen’s expenditures were not made with criminal Intent but were duo to Incompetency. There can be little doubt that Fred Killen, In his capacity as township trustee, did a great many foolish things. The fact that he could be talked Into buying unnecessary supplies was probably discovered by traveling salemen as soon as he took the office, and as a consequence Mr. Killen has had more chances to buy gold bricks than all the other trustees combined. His resignation was consistent with his other acts, that Is, It was foolish for him to do so. If he Is square, as he affirms that he is, the best way for him to clear himself was to stand up before the limelight of Investigation,' and go through the fire ol criticism. Killen’s attorneys, although they do not know what Inaccuracies' the state accountants discovered, believe that they can clear Killen from being guilty of any criminal act. Mr. Killen Informed the auditor that he would balance up his books and have them ready to turn over any time they would be demanded of him. •