Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1867-06-18
OLD JACOB BARKER.

~ stTOuB even LII uedlu, Will tuose
of his class. It would not be so
bad were it with his own honest
gains he had feathered his nest SO
abundantly, but to levy upon the
hard earnings of the laborer, the ar
tisan, the widow and others who
had in an unfortunate hour been led
to make him their depositary, is a
sin and shame against high Heaven
which cries aloud for restitution.
Had he been a poor devil who, with
view of appeasing hunger, and
keeping himself and family from
starving, had stolen ham or loaf of
bread, he would have been jerked up
in hurry and made to pay the
penalty, but he did not stoop to such
small try matters, but went it on the
big figure, determined to provide well
for rainy days this side the grave
for himself at least, let who would,
suffer.
A petty larceny affair stamps the
perpetrator as a low flung thief, but
a wholesale depreciation upon the
scanty fortunes of hundreds, is
ranked as sort Of respectable rob-
berry, to be palliated on the ground
Of unfortunate financial speculations.
zone murder makes villain,
Millioas, hero"
The various depositors in Barker's
bankrupt Bank of Commerce in New
Orleans, have been holding meetings
to see what could be done by way
of saving something for themselves
out of the general wreck. AT first,
"the old man financial" seemed dis
posed to try and render some sort of
satisfaction to his creditors, but he
afterwards changed his tune and
turned deaf ear to the clamors
that beset him. An account Of the
last meeting held by his creditors, is
given in the New Orleans Picayune
of Sunday last, as follows:
Meeting Of the Depositors Of Jacob
Bayker.-About one hundred and
fifty of the depositors of the Bank of
Commerce met, agreeably to notice
published, at the Lyceum Hall last
evening, Prof. George Soule, presid-
ing. Prof. Soule, as chairman Of the
subcommittee appointed by the de-
positors, gave full statement of
what had transpired since the last
meeting was held. He stated that
Mr.. Jacob Barker was called on last
Monday, and be emphatically stated
that he would not declare himself a
bankrupt, nor assign his property
over to his creditors. After being
pressed upon the subject, he promised
to consult his counsel and give final
reply on the following day. Two
days elapsed and no communication
was received by the committee from
Mr.. Barker. On the third day Mr..
Soule again waited upon Mr.. B and
this interview was equally as unsat
isfactory as the previous one, He
stated that in obeying the citation
next Monday to appear in court be
would resist the bankrupt law that
he had right to pay such creditors
as he pleased; that the United
States owed him two or three mil
lions of dollars since 1912; that if
he received what was due him he
could easily pay all his creditors.
Prof. Soule further stated that be
had at last thought that Mr.. Barker
was willing to do justice as far as
possible to all Of his creditors, but be
was now of different opinion, and
be felt satisfied that Mr.. B. desired
to deceive and cheat; that he sought
to postpone any settlement whatever
That Mr.. B. had endeavored to re-
cover the books of the bank both
personally and through other parties
This had been denied him.
Prof. Soue further stated that many
of the creditors had been making pri.
vate settlements with Mr. B, receiv-
ing part payments and promises. He
gave notice that such creditors would
have to return AMOUNTS SO received
and further make themselves liable to
loose all.
In conclusion, Prof. SouIe stated
that he felt assured Mr.. Barker would
have to go into bankruptcy next Mon
day. If this should be the case, the
lokorc ac tho oo~a;ttoo would bo -