The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-18
DRAMATIC SCENE In COURT.
George T. Jackson Tells the Story of a
$250,O0O Defalcati0n.

AUGUSTA, Ga, May 1.-THE trial of George
T. jackson, the defaulting president of the En-
terprse Cotton Factory, whose defalcations
amount to over $3.50, 900, resulted in his convic-
ton and sentence to six years in the penitentary.
The scene in the courtroom was highly dra-
matte. Before tn e case went to the jury Mr..
Jackson made an address such as has seldom
been made by a prisoner at the bar Of justice.
He said
MAY it please the court and gentlemen of the
jury: 1t is with no ordinary feeling that l ap-
pear before you, mortified as / am beyond ex-
preston and endurance, to think that must re-
ply to the charges iii that Indictment Think of
it, gentlemen, that |, one of you, engaged with
you for years in all that concerns the public
good am charged with embezzement, stealing,
steal and defraud. With these feelings within
me, will be glad that you hear what have to
say. Here, in your midst almost within the
sound of my voice, on the 10Th of December,
1872, was born. AT the academy over there
went to school, and year after year l passed
through these halls. Here at the age of four
teen / started in business, and here have | re-
manned all my life. The older citizens know me
and many would gladly testify in my behalf to-
day. Here was married at twentv-four, and L
raised family in which take just pride. My
| longest absence from home was when went to
| fight the battles of my country. Now l am
| sixty two, and no man. in truth, can charge me
with ever having done an intentional harm dur
ing my life. have striven to do my duty as a
citizen in all public matters with becoming de-
ference, may say, of trust and honor; and l
appeal to candid citizens to say whether l have
ever been dereict / leave this people to say
how have fulfilled requirements of neighbor,
father and citizen While have fallen short in
what might have DONE have tried to do my
part, and have received too much kindness not
to feel deeply in this matter. Now almost at the
close of my journey IN life, and surrounded by a
family of whom / dare not trust myself to speak,
with these surroundings it is not possible that it
| could have entered into my head and heart to
| steal.
"A man is liable to error, anu at various times
| have borrowed from one to loan to another.
| In the early days of the Enterprise factory l
| loaned it money and got jackson 81 Go. to be-
come responsible for subscription Of $500, 900,
| which gave it life, prosperity and freedom from
| taxation for ten years. l borrowed money frora
4 the company, but always with most positive
purpose of paying it back. In time of the fire,
| when the companys Office was threatened, my
first order to save the books and papers
| Does that look il it was my purpose to embez-
/ ze or defraud2 The book keeper had entire
| charge of the books and know nothing of book
keeping, and the suggestion in reference to the
! statement all came from him. For years have
| endeavored to sell the Magruder mine to repay
] this Indebtedness An expert valued ii at 500,
600 and subsequently at $150000. Another
valuable when he saw it the mine could be
sold to advantage During all this time L have
had deposited script of mine of $50, 600 and ten
! shares of Enterprise factory in trust for the
| company to meet nay Indebtedness, in case of
| accident to me, and this the Secretary knew.
! This takes from what did even the semblance
! of q purpose to defraud or steal"
/ Major jackson here explained some factory
| bond transactions, showing where ne could have
| ernbezzled if such had been his purpose, and
continued: ''While have done wrong, l know
| have committed no crime. did notfeel guilty
then, and plead not guilty now. When my
| friends offered me money to leave the city, /
| felt shocked, and declined. While l could ask
| my God to look into my heart and find there no
! eniat had no fear for myself nor do | mistrust
1 you now. But, gentlemen of the jury, while |
/ feel no guilt, do feel very great and deep re-
| greet and sorrow. Had the power to express
| myself as feel, my tongue would tire you in
| telling it how much and how deeply have suf-
| fered. NY remaining years will be spent in the
homes. and untiring effort to repay the last cent
| / owe and l will be aided by my children.
| What ask of you, gentlemen and of you, my
| fellow citizens is opportunity that this debt
! be paid While am not under oath l speak
with the soemnity Of oath and say it in your
presence, your Homer. and yours, gentlemen of
the jury. and in yours, fellow citizens, l pray
God may grant It,
| Mr. jackson was allowed to go in charge of his
| friends under bond of $1,000 in addition to the
previous bond of $l2s 600, pending an appeal on
| law points to the Supreme Courts