The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-13
AXW0RTHY'S LETTER.
HE WRITES TO THE MAYOR OF
ICLEvELAND ABOUT HIS CRIME.
He Gives the Mayor the Power of At
torney to Dispose Of and Transfer
Into Money All His Property-A Very
Penitent Man.

CLEVELAND, o., Nov. 12.-Thomas AK.
worthy, the defaulting City Treasurer Of
Cleveland, who departed the town $780,
900 Short" and with Sl5000O of other
peoples money in his carpetsack, has
written Mayor Babcock letter. 1t was
sent from Montreal ON October 30, and
when the Mayor received it he fastened
TO Montreal in order to have an interview
with Axworthy. He remained there q
week and returned to Cleveland without
having seen his man. Late this afternoon
the Mayor gave the newspapers a copy Of
the letter. 1t is as follows:
MONTREAL, October 2s, 1855
"Thc Hon b. D, Babcock, Mayor, Cleveland, o..
Respected Sir-There has, no doubt,
been considerable comment concerning my
absence. ] arrived here some time since.
| should have written before, but could
not summon the courage to do so. | shall
have TO remain in some paIt OF the Domin-
ion for perhaps all the time, for the fol-
lowing reasons: | went East about 0cto-
Der for the purpose OF collecting large
sums loaned by me on call from time to
. time during the last four years at the sug.
reston OF prominent Cleveland parties. |
have been receiving the interest regularly,
but greatly to my surprise and horror,
when ! demanded the principal | was an
swered We cannot pay tin fact, il
would have been impossible for us TO have
done so within four months after we had
made the loans, etc, etc. In fact, inves-
tigation proved such TO be the case, al
though supposed the parties to be worth
millions need not dwell on this matter:
in fact, | cannot. Ii is too terrible for
me TO think or write about. You will know
from the position | occupied in your
community, you know my situation
must effect me or any other man who has
always been strictly honest 20 the letter.
There was combination 10 ruin me- and
II has succeeded. | am properly and de-
servedly. perhaps, the sufferer and an eN-
lie. ! am not writing you, however, in
eNtenuation of my criminal carclcssness
and consequent misery, but writing you as
the executive OF Cleveland, 10 advise you
that far rs in my power lies desire to
make amends by turning over my entire
property, real and personal, for the benefit
OF the city or my bondsmcn. An action
in the proper court will, think, make
this entirely legal Below give YOU in
full my entire belongings, 10 which |
waive all night, title or interest; aud | will
write my wife asking her 10 quit claim to
all the real estate belonging 10 me or in
my name for q nominal consideration.
My stocks, deeds, bills Of sale etc, are in
box No. O., National Bank OF Commerce
lie then gives list OF his assets, which
include stocks, bonds notes, houses, land
aud vessel property Many Of the stocks
are pronounced by bankers 10 bc worth.
less aud others would bring but trihc.
lie estimates the value Of all his assets at
S3l9,1 In concluding his letter lac SAYS
Entire assets, good, S37D, 200, which
will pay all my liabilities, the exact
amount OF which the City Auditor can
alone easily determine. Could have had
four months, after knowing the true stu.
alton OF affairs, ! could have disposed Of
the above 80 rs TO have met my entire OBJ
legations. but II Il now too late / have
covered mp nothing. and thus do all possi-
blr for the present TO make all amends in
my power, and my only aim In life will
now be- 10 further make good, IL needed
by any shrinkage from above, but think
II Is sufficient Ia cover ail. II Il will be OF
any use, you are hereby authorized and
empowered by me 10 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 above named prop
crty. Goodbye. God bless the city OF
Cleveland and you all, is the earnest
PRAYER Of Thomas AXwoRrmY."
Excuse errors"
Mayor Babcock will probably make an.
other trip to Montreal IN the hope OF hay-
ing personal interview with the de-
iaulter.