The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-08
Abraham Jackson.

The mystery which involves the defalca.
ton of Abraham jackson seems to increase
every day. The man, himself, who still
declares that he is entirely innocent Of any
attempt to commit fraud, seems ready'and
willing to talk over the astounding devel-
opments which have so recently been made.
With not one of those expensive habits
which generally bring men of his class into
pecuniary recklessness, Abraham jackson
was thought to be model man of business,
who practiced strict economy on principle
and avoided from preference almost all
social intercourse. On Change and on the
street, he certainly had the reputation,
until within comparative short tine. OF
being careful, strictly honest and upright
business man. Whatever doubts or suspi-
cions might have been excited during the
last days of Mr.. Jackson's stay in Boston,
1t is certain that, eight or ten months ago,
no name stood higher in the estimation of
the community at large. Careful trustees
of large estates united with those who were
Interested in getting what might be OBJ
tanned out of bad investment, in trusting
Mr.. jackson and it is safe to say that the
defalcaton of no other one man could have
caused a more profound sensation.
WHAT JACKSON SAYS FOR HIMSELF.
Since Mr.. jackson has been in confne-
ment at the Charles street Jail, many of his
business acquaintance, and men who have
as 'ociated with him in times past, have
called upon him and sought to find an
answer to the question, "What motive
could have induced this embezZlement ?"
The circumstances of the case are 30 pecu-
liar, and the personal character OF the man
has been SO favorably adjudged, that it is
not strange that some of the heaviest losers
by Mr.. Jackson's breach of trust are more
anxious to know the reason of the defalca-
ton than angry at the personal loss sus-
tanned. Mr.. Jackson maintains; to all his
friends, the calm and unruffied demeanor
which has always characterized him, and
says he does not know why or how he has
come to be classed with swindlers. He
| denies, with earnestness, the charges which
have so confidently been made, that he
altered the figures of sundry notes. So far
as he can judge, the trouble has arisen
from complete misunderstanding, by
himself, of his financial condition, which
dates, apparently, from an unfortunate
but legitimate speculation some years ago.
Without, apparently, realizing the extent
of the ruin which his defacation has
wrought, Mr. Jackson seems as ready as
| the most unfortunate of his creditors to
have his business affairs cleared up.
| SOME REMARKABLE ADMIssIONs-A STRANGE
| IDEA OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITY.
Some very remarkable facts have been
developed in the examination of the books
of Mr.. jackson. His manner of transact
ing business was very peculiar for man
of such established reputation for sagacity.
1t is we'll known that Mr.. Jackson acted
as trustee for many estates, and was often
called upon to act as receiver. But in
stead of making deposits and placing checks
as trustee or receiver, Mr.. Jackson appears
to have banked everything in his own name.
Under such a loose system, 1t is not at all
| strange that man should come TO think him.
self rich when he was poor, and not realize
that he was squandering other peoples
property. An unfortunate speculation,
such as has been limited at, might lead a
man like Mr.. jackson, with almost unlim-
tied credit at the banks, to borrow on his
own account the money which should have
been held in secret reserve for the benefit
of others. And one such step having been
taken, it is quite conceivable that the down
ward course would be rapidly run. The
case has 30 many mysterious features con-
nected with it that 1t is hardly possible to
acquit Mr.. Jackson thus early of intention
to fraud. But 1t is certain that he has still
great many friends who are sure that the
great defalcation is as much surprise and
shock to himself as to others; and that
MIR. Jackson will at any rate not be classed
with the common herd of wllful swindlers.