nto  which  the  county  finances 
were  being  plunged.

The  most  profligate  extravagance  charac- 
terizes the  purchases  made  by  the  agents  of 
the  county  in  the  past  two  years,  and  bills  for 
supplies  at  prices  far  in  excess  of  those  charged 
to  individuals  have  been  allowed  and  paid.

We  have  evidence  that  about  700  cords  of 
wood  have  been  bought  for  use  of  the  court 
house  and  jail  since  January  1st,  1889,  at  the 
price  of  $2.50  per  cord  at  the  same  time.  One 
contract  was  made  with  G.  DeVega  by  Sheriff 
Whitehill  for  75  cords  at  $3.00  per  cord,  which

was  delivered  by  other  parties  to  whom  Mr. 
Whitehill  paid  $2.75  per  cord,  and  obligingly 
held  out  25  cents  per  cord  for  contractor  De- 
Vega.

Nineteen  and  one-half  cords  of  wood 
bought  by  the  agent  of  the  county  of  Frank 
Silvear  paid  for  by  warrant  No.  533,  $58.50, 
dated  February  13,  1889,  was  duly  delivered  at 
the  residence  of  Mr.  F.  P.  Whitehill,  and  is  now 
there.  Mr.  F.  P.  Whitehill  testified  that  he 
settled  with  Mr.  Morehead  for  the  wood,  who 
was  to  pay  Sheriff  Whitehill  for  it,  and  of  course 
if  so  paid,  the  money  should  be  refunded  to  the 
county.  This  has  not  been  done,  and  the  grand 
jury  recommended  that  the  proper  officers  take 
the  necessary  steps  for  the  recovery  of  either 
the  wood  or  the  money.