The morning call., 1893-09-08
HIS DUAL LIFE.
How Absconder Jackson
Was Trusted.
HE FLEECED HIS PARTNERS.
Went to Central America After TAX
ing the Cash of Center, Jack
son & Spader.

Center. Jackson & Spader, the real-estate
firm that did business at 307 Montgomery
street, has gone out of existence. It's
taking off is due entirely to William Jack.
son. one of the partners, having gone out
friends, but with all the spare cash he could
gather up around the office.
After hasty examination of the firms
books and papers yesterday it was found
that Jackson had not taken so omuch as was
at first supposed. A careful investigation
is now being made, aud it will be known
to-day what Jackson did with the firms
money.
Last Friday he left town. ostensibly for
San Jose, whittier he said he was going to
collect money on the estate OF George
Poppen we'll. a brother of Mrs. jackson.
Before going away he drew 500 from the
bank, and dropGed letter. which is here
given in full, into the letter-bOx:
c. r. SpGder-DEAR SIR: have no doubt
tnat before you receive this you are wondering
where l am. Well, / have left Frisco for good
ano all, and God knows where i will let up. 1t
Is pretty hard after coming 10 my time OF life
10 leave my poor wife and child 10 the cold
charity of the world; but cd only knows that
IL is only after hard study TO keep my head
above water that il seems as though there was
some other country. l do not blame you for
this. Well there is no use saying any more.
Suppose you VIII ali think hard things OF me.
but did the best l knew how
Where | will go now don't know; but when
you receive this will be aS many miles away
from Frisco as steam can take me. More than
Hkely l shall land In Central America, as that
Is the only place where have any friends that
l know Of.
1t seems hard to have to write these things,
and can assure you that / feel sorry if any
htnHn
whatever happens, II VIII not blight your
future prospects. You have all got friends !;
but have none in this country. and all [ can
hope Is that / can ret To some place where I
DO not blame them. aud IL there IS anything
you can do 10 help them do il IN Gods name
for am as near crazy as it is possible to be.
Poor lhings-they don't know where l have
gone. and don't KNOW myself only that l will
get on the train and get as far away from this
cursed place rs possible. Well. IL is no use to
write longer, as 1t will not mend matters. You
will just have TO make the best of ii. AS ]
don't suppose l shall ever see you again, all I
can say IS you have my best wishes for YOUR
future welfare. Yours, JACKSON.
The letter was staggering surprise to
Center and Spader. who had placed all con-
fidence in their partner. An nvestigation
was made with the result that none of
the loose cash. papers. etc., could be
found in the safe. A search for the alb
sconder did no good, for it is more than
bhdb CdCASDH kU6W lie WOulU De
safe from pursuers before his letter was
read.
a real estate man saw Jackson going to
the steamer that sailed for Central Amer
lea last Monday. Inquiry at the ticket
office showed that jackson Travelled under
an assumed name to San Jose de Guate-
mala.
jackson is man of 3S years of age. he
married a Miss Poppenwell in San Jose
and appeared 10 be happy at home. His
absconding revealed the mans dual char
acter. for he left his wife destitute with a
girl of 13 years. Fast living led him Oh
step by step and allured him to steal and
violate confidence. Some of his worst
transactions were taking deposits on real
estate. collecting rents and sippin them
into his own pocket and entering certain
bills as paid when he kept the money him.
self.
Center and Spader will form new part
nership and continue the business.
1t Is believed that no effort will be made
to bring the fugitive back to justice.