The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-13
DEPAULTER AxwORTHY.
A Letter to Mayor Babcock Explaining His
Theft and Offering to Make Amends.

CLEVELAND Ohio. Nov. 12.-Thomas Az
worthy. the defsultine city treasurer of Cievo
land, who departed tho town $3.50. 900 'short,',
and with $3.50, 900 of other peoples money in his
carpet-ssck, has written Mayor Bsbcock let.
ter. 1t was sent from Montreal on Oct 90, and
when the Mayor received it he hastened to Mon
trsal in order to have an interview with Ak
worthy. He remained there week and re-
turned to Cleveland withou. having seen his
man. Late this afternoon the Mayor gave the
newspapers copy of the letter. It is as follows:
MONTREAL. Oct. 2s. 1883.
"Eon. B. d. Babcock. Mayor City of Cleveland. o.
Respected Sir-There has no doubt been
considerable comment concerning my absence.
j arrived here some time since. I should have
written before but could not summon the cour-
age to do so. shall have TO remain in some
part of the Dominion for perhaps sll time,
for the following reasons:
/ went East, about Oct /, for the purpose
OF collecting large sums loaned by me on call.
from time to time during tho last four years,
tat the suggestion of prominent Cleveland
parties. l have been receiving the interest
regularly. but greatly TO my surprise and
horror, when demanded the principal, / was
answered We cannot pay it-in fact it
to have done so within four months after We
had made the loans In fact. investigation
proved such to be the case. although supposed
the parties to be worth millions | need not
dwell on this matter; in fact, Icannot., II is
too torrble for me to think write about.
You will know from the position / occupied In
your community how my situation must affect
me. any other man that has always been
strictly honest to the letter, thus overwhelmed
by circumstances which, when too late, he
finds he cannot control. There was combins-
tion to ruin me- and il has succeeded. am
properly, and deservsdly, perhaps, the sufferer
and an exile. am not writing you, however, in
extenuation of my criminal carelessness and
consequent misery, but writing you as tbs
executive OF the city OF Cleveland, to advise you
that. as far rs in my power lies, desire to make
amends by turning over nv entire property, real
and persoral, for the benefit of the city my
bondsmen- An action IN the proper court will.
/ think. make this entirely legal. Below I give
you In full my entire belongings, to which I
waive all right, title or interest: and will write
my wife, asking her to Quit-claim all the real es-
tate belonging to me or IN my name for nomi-
nal consideration. My stocks deeds. bills of
sale. ETC., are in Box Ca. National Bank Of Com
merce.'
He then gives list in which Is included
stocks. bonds, notes, houses, land and vessel
property. Many OF the stocks are pronounced
by bankers to be worthless and others would
bring but trihe. He estimates the value of all
his assets 1919. 700. In concluding his letter he
says:
Entire assets. good, 1919, 700, which will pay
all my iiabilitIes the exact amount Of which
the city auditor can alone easily determine.
Could havshad four months after knowing the
true situation of affairs, / could have disposed
OF the above. so as 10 have met my entire otli-
cations, but 1t is now too late. / have
covered up nothing. and thus do
all possible, for the present, to make all amends
In my power. ana my only aim in life will now
be to further make good, il needed by any
shrinkage from above, but think 1t is suficirrt
to cover all. IL IL will be OF anv use, you are
hereby authorized and empowered by me to act
rs my attorney in fact, and sign for me all
deeds, bills OF sale, etc. that may be required in
the transfer of any Of the abov--nsmed property.
Good bye. God bless the city OF Cleveland and
you all is the earnest prayer OF
THOMAS AxwoRTEY.
Mayor Babeock will probably make another
trip to Montreal in hope Of having personal
interview with the osfauIter.