The first treasury box was made of mahogany, circa 1792. Donated by Mary C. Cantrill. The Kentucky treasury scales were used to weigh gold coins in the Office of the State Treasurer. Donated by Emma Guy Cromwell. KHS Collections.
On March 14, 1888, James W. “Honest Dick” Tate, who had served as Kentucky’s treasurer since 1867, left his office, reportedly taking with him two large sacks of gold and silver coins and a large roll of bills. He was never seen in Kentucky again. Investigators subsequently determined that he had embezzled some $247,000 from the state. The Kentucky House of Representatives adopted articles of impeachment on March 24, and the Kentucky Senate conducted a trial on March 30, convicting him on four counts and removing him from office. This embezzlement led the General Assembly to create the office of state inspector and examiner.
The first treasury box was made of mahogany, circa 1792. Donated by Mary C. Cantrill. The Kentucky treasury scales were used to weigh gold coins in the Office of the State Treasurer. Donated by Emma Guy Cromwell. KHS Collections.
