The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-14
A VICTIM TO MARGINS"
An Indianapolitan's Arrest in Chicago,
for Conspiring TO Commit Robbery.
Recital of Soma of the Events in the
Career of George w. SPOTS, Dealer
in Options.
Special to the 1ndlanapotis Journsl.


brought before Justice Kersten, this morning,
charged with both conspiracy and vagrancy.
Before the case was called, it was stated by
former citizen of Indianapolis that SPOTS was
married some years ago, to the daughter of
wealthy gentleman of that city; that SPOTS
failed in the business in which he had been es-
tablished by hts father-in-law, defranding the
latter of $4,000. When the case was called the
following story was told:
George W. SPOTS came to Chicago about
september l, and has been living with
his wife i'll furnished rooms at No.
81 Adams street. He has spent good deal of
money on the Board OF Trade and, being I'M
lucky, has resorted TO gambling TO retrieve his
fortune. His brother, A. w. SPOTS. is partner
III the Republic mills, at 23l East Kinzie street,
the other partners being W. H. Robertson and
H. c. Mccullough. Latterly, George has spent
the most of his time at a low colored gambling
den on South Clark street, kept by one Scott,
though he was with his brother at
time to know where the money taken
in after banking hours was Kept. He determined
TO take TINS money, and made conffdant of
coiored man, John Jones, ana engaged him TO
get the money, the men agreeing to meet at the
Palmer House and divide the booty. To this the
cOlored man pretended TO agree but instead
went to the intended victims and informed them
of the plot. George W. Spotts was known to the
colored man as Jones, and, the two having agreed
Jones, informed Mr.. Robertson. who. keeping
watch from safe distance reeog
bs Inc nro 95ner rba man as spott
mediately put upon the case, and on Tuesday
evening SPOTS was arrested just as he was Civ
ing directions to the colored man as to how he
could secure the money. The company did not
wish to prosecute SPOTS. and the conspiracy
case was dismissed; but Justice Mersten i'm
the execution for twenty -four hours, to give the
prisoner chance to leave the city. 1t is sup
posed that SPOTS and his wife started for In
dlanap0ils on this evenings train.
The intelipenoe contained in the iOrapOino
special will doubtless prove surprising to a ma
jority of the former friends of Mr. SPOTS in Indi-
annapolis, although it has been generally under
stood of late that he has been guilty of number
of overt acts, which have been withheld from
the public. The circumstances under which
SPOTS left the city were detailed IN the Journal
at the time. About twenty months ago he was
married to Miss Nellie Scott, daughter of Adam
Scott, well-known grain dealer of this city, and
as he was bright and rising business man and
she young lady of sterling good qualities it
was regarded as union mutually propitious to
both parties Shortly after this marriage, Mr..
Scott, who had every confidence in the integrity
and business qualifications of his son-n-law, be-
came SpOtts's indOrser on note in bank which
the latter made his fatber-in-law believe would
be used in his (Spotts's) business to great ad-
vantage. SPOTS was then, and until
about eight months ago, proprietor of
grain elevator on Virginia ave-
nue.. Following this, other notes were
brought to Mr.. Scott by his son-in-law, from time
to time, to all OF which he, without hesitation,
gave the value OF his Endorsement Mr.. Scott
was not aware that paper was accommodating
against him, as the notes he had formerly in
dorsed were not taken up, as he had supposed.
Having unlimited confidence in his son-in-law.
he Wa NOT ha riOi1 nd an
he would otherwise have been Mr.. Scott sup
posed his liability the account of SPOTS was
between $4,000 and $4,000, and last March
he was almost paralyzed with astonishment
when called upon to pay paper aggregating
$4S,0OO, which was exhibited, bearing his in
dorsement.
SPOTS had a mania for wheatmargin specula-
tiOns and his gambling operations never struck
on the lucky side. Mr.. Scott, whose confidence
had been so outrageously abused, condoned the
fault and pardoned the offender Spots con-
fessed that the losses had occurred in gambling
in Chicago margins, and appeared TO sincerely
repent his recklessness and criminal folly He
promised never again to speculate; he would go
to work and show himself to be a man. Mr..
Scott assumed charge of Spotts's business, and
making SPOTS manager, gave the latter an OPP
portunity to recover his standing.
Along toward the last of September Mr.. Scott
suspected that his business manager was again
going crooked. He found that he had again
been gambling in margins, and on making an
examination it was discovered that there was
much less gran in the elevator than had been
shown as purchased In investigating this dis
crepancy it was found that SPOTS had reported
a number OF purchases that had never been de-
livered. BE had given the number of cars to-
gether with the names of the persons from
whom he claimed that he had purchased grain,
and bank checks had been given accordingly for
payment by Mr. Scott, who suspected nothing
wrong, because it was not clear in what way
there could be any swindle, the checks being
made payable to the person from whom the
wheat was alleged to have been bought. case
of this kind, which narrowly escaped getting
into the courts, was as follows:
After Spotts's failure Mr.. Scott, his father-in-
law, made arr8ng eIaents for continuing the
business ana retained SPOTS as an employe in
the capacity of grain inspector and purchaser.
The young mans unfortunate penehant for Chi
cago options was too well defined TO permit of
his allowing an opportunity to purch ase options
TO escape, and the usual "sure thing" presenting
itself in due time he went to bucket-shop and ar
ranged for deal. Not knowing Spotts's financial
condition and ignorant OF his recent embarrass-
ments, the firm having confidence alike in MS
integrity and ability to pay, made the deal ac-
eording TO order, without SPOTS putting up
cent. The same old story Of course. The mar
ket declined, and SPOTS was soon indebted to
the firm in the sum of ST. 900. It had been
mildly suggested once or twice, the shortage
continued to swell, that the firm would like to
have some money, but SPOTS disarmed their
fears with abundant promises, until the ar
rearage amounted to $1,000. AT this
point the senior member of the firm
summoned SPOTS, and informed him that the
money must be immediately produced. The
young man coolly explained that he had no
funds, and that his creditors might whistle tor
their dues unless they were willing to help him
raise the wherewithal to liquidate
"How can assist you9" inquired the importu-
nate creditor.
"Do as tell you," said SPOTS. "Write let
ter proposing to sell several carloads of wheat
which you have in the l., b. & W. yards, and
make il at a bargain"
"But haven't got the wheau," continued the
other.
81 understand, of course, you haven't But
know of no other way for you TO get your
money"
The result was the letter was written and
handed to Mr.. Spotts, who in turn presented it
to Mr. Scott accompanying IL with the advice 60
buy it, Mr.. Scott thereppon dispatched SPOTS
to the l., B. q W. yards to inspect the grain, the
young man returning with the statement
that 1t as represented and good purchase.
Mr. Scott then drew his check for something
more than spotts's Indebtedness to the bucket
"a D.. oI,tn