Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-05
DANvILLE Ky SCANDAL.
The Late Superintendent of the Ken
lucky Deaf and Dumb Asylum
Charged with an In
famous Crime.
He Betrays and Abandons a Deaf Mute
and Three Children.

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Two days since this entire commu-
nifty and the public at large were
profoundly shocked by statements
contained in the daily papers respect
ing certain features in the life and
character of the late John A. Jacobs,
jr., for a number of years the honored
and universally esteemed principal of
the Kentucky Institution for Deaf
Mutes in this city. The statements
are to the effect that in 1874 Mr.. Ja-
cobs formed an indecent relationship
with one of the teachers of the insti-
tuition was married to her in Miamis-
burg, Ohio, under an assumed name in
1875; and, under an assumed name,
visited and supported her and her
children as a husband and father to
the time of his death. 1t is also stated
that this woman, who is a deaf mute,
with her three children, is living
in Hamilton, Ohio, and claims to be
his lawful wife, and it is further
claimed that he has regularly visited
her as her husband during these past
four years.
A series of circumstances are given
in support of these statements which,
without thorough Investigation, it is
difficult to ignore. AT the same time
there are circumstances upon the
other side which make a thorough in
vestigation with some substantial
proof essential to the full credence
and acceptance of these statements.
1t can be positively stated that those
who had the opportunities to know
Mr.. Jacobs most intimately and to
estimate his character most accurately,
received the greatest shock and sur
prise in being forced to question for a
moment his perfect honor and integri-
ty. We are assured also upon the
most reliable evidence that when death
was near at hand and the fact was
made known to him, with bis mind
unclouded and standing just on the
threshold Of eternity, he told no one
of the friends around him of any such
complications,
This, too, at a time when he spoke
clearly and iudiciously of his business
affairs and Of tender messages for an
aged mother. Mr.. Jacobs came to the
institution when quite young, and
grew up, as it we're, under the eyes Of
this community. He was universally
esteemed as an honorable, candid, IN
telligent, kind gentleman, and his de-
meanor at all times was that of a
thorough gentleman. He had the
most implicit confidence of all who
knew him; and in his social relations
with the institution his conduct was
most delicate and inspired perfect
trust. If the statements respecting
his character now before the public
are true, his life in this community
and State Involved an amount qf de-
ception, hypocrisy and fool-hardiness
which few men are able to command.
1t is but just to state at this time that
the statements coming from Hamilton,
CHIC, are based alone on circumstan-
tial evidence, aHd no letters or other
communications over his signature or
known to be in his handwriting can be
produced.
Far be it from US to palliate such q
sin, or oond0Bs such q Wong 70 az
afflicted woman, but in justice to one
silent in death and pOwerless to speak
in defense Of himself, let it be remem.
bered that the evidence as now stated
is not conclusive and irresistible, anC
: that a mystery may underlie the Who'll,
matteF. The life led in this com
munity in high esteeM, and the repu
tation gained in the whole country il
a position of high public trust aut
/, usefulness, certainly Justify the relue
lance with which ihesa llsyepgtabl
statements are received without posi-
! tive and tangible proof. 1t is q singu
: lar fact and worthy Of consideration i
: this connection that few of the super
! igssgdents of public instruction 70
the deaf and 94wb, fer the blind, an,
Z for the feeble-mihded IN this ceppu,
have escaped attacks Of SIMILAR matur
(, t. this upon their honor and cbaraC
ter dunbg lkeir lives, and in almos
every instance 5pch eEaTgeg YeV
. proved false.