May 28, 2011

During the 1880 governor’s race, former state treasurer and candidate Thomas Churchill faced allegations of misuse of public funds as treasurer. The former Confederate general easily won the election, but the charges did not disappear. An 1881 legislative committee determined that nearly $115,000, a sum that was then increased to over $230,000, was missing from state coffers. After leaving office, Churchill faced a lawsuit in the Pulaski County Chancery Court. Though never admitting any guilt, he did reimburse the state almost $24,000.