Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-22

The Answer of His Executors to the
Charges Made Against Him by Mrs.
Belt.
Some time ago the MORNING News an
nOunced that Elizabeth T. Belt, of New
York, formerly of Georgia, had brought
suit in the United States Circuit Court
against Joseph B. Cumming and Charles
c. Jones, Jr., executors Of the estate
of the late Gov. Charles j.
jenkins, claiming that the estate
was owing her a large sum Of money due
on certain investments made in her be-
half. and which Gov. jenkins had not
properly accounted for. She ALLEGED
fraud. deception and false dealing on the
part Of the Governor. and prayed tnat tne
executors be enjoined until her complaint
could be heard.
The defendants have filed their answers
to the allegations Of Mrs. Belt; ana tns
case will be called for trial in the Y hlIeu
States Circuit Court. which Will con-
veua in this city in NOVem-
Der. The defendants viii De represented
by Capt. George A. Mercer. Inc eAecu-
tors claim that Gov. jenkins never sus-
tanned any tiducIaTY relationship low aIus
the complainant, and that ne was never
her trustee, guardian or paid attorney
and that whatever services OF
aid he rendered her were IN re-
sDouse TO her solicitations ana
Of a purely friendly character, and with
ont compensation; also that the position
Of guardian held by jenkins over ms
ktnsman. FLOYD Carlton Belt, during the
minority of the latter, had ceased 10 eX-
ist- and that at Belts death his widow.
the complainant in the suit, qualined
as his eXecutrix under his VIII.
She was then 80 years old, the mother OF
children, labOred under no disabilities.
and was acquainted with the response
bilities both as to persons and property,
and was capable of asserting and defend
ing them.
The defendants claim that as to the sale
Of the BullOch lands and the distribution
Of the proceeds Of that sale, the
| lands were encountered by mortgage
from Mr.. Belt 10 NJ. ID. Jones, Of Burke
county. and that the eXecutriX, Mrs.
Belt. induced Gov. jenkins to find pur-
| chaser. They were sold TO Messrs. Elem
ing and Rowland. Of Augusta ga, ioT
| 500, 900 in Confederate currency, sl5 10
| that money being equivalent 70 81 In
gold. The price paid was fixed by
I Mrs. Belt, who executed the deed ano
| signed il both as eXecutrix Of Mr.. Belts
will and in her individual capacity. Al
the solicitation Of Mrs. Belt Gov. jenkins
received the SlO0. 600. of which amount
| SO. $50 IS was promptly applied TO the
| discharge Of the mortgage, which covered
/ not only the lands, but number OF ne
| grOes belonging to the estate. Inc
| remainder of the sum realized
from the sale was held by the
| Governor. subject to her orders, in COM
pliance with which certain sums were
/ from time to time paid on certain debts o
| the estate. or applied TO making invest
| ments, including purchase, al Mrs
| Belts request and on her account, OF OYel
i $4,000 in Confederate $50 interest bear
/ ing Treasury notes. Gov. Jenkins
| who had large income from the August
| Factory stock, after this time advanced
| Mrs. Belt large sums Of money LOT hel
| benefit uGtil he had not only used th'
| amount deposited Gith him by her, bu
| given her in addition 81, 90 - out OF hl'
/ own private fortune.
! The aBswe- contains an account curTen
/ showing every receipt and expenditure
| and this Indebtedness has never beer
/ paid bv Mrs. Belt or by any other person
/ acting in her behalf. In November, 1900
| Mrs. Belt applied to the Governor for fur
| Their assistance and received Sl,5O
| in good money. This loan OF
| gratuity was never refunded. Ii
| 1869 she again asked for money
| when the Governor declined to make am
! additional gift or loan. The answer eX
| plains the nature Of the investment o
Si3. 800 made by Gov. jenkins in the Treas
| urv notes as distinguished from COnfeder
| ate bonds and which were valueless prop
! erty in his hands. and finally sent to Mrs
! Belt on her order. The defendants
| also plead the statute o.
| limitations applicable under the circum
stances. and prays the protection of thu
| court against the demand. A number
| letters are appended to the answer t.
| show the relationship which existed be
| tween Gov. jenkins and Mrs. Bel
| in reference TO the several transactions