St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-07-18


protested for lack of funds. The charge
was true. l lad given such check
and at different times have had fifty
checks come back from the bank here,
and from the American Exchange bank
at Duluth. l have been careless and
reckless, and have lost fortune in
speculation and gambling. | have
Brought Ruin and Disgrace
on myself and OH heart-broken wife
and mother.
But the charge that l ever intended
to defraud any one, or chad swindled
any one with bogus book or was
locked up in the Tombs," are as false as
the statement published in certain
paper that my domestic relations were
unhappy"
God only knows the agony have suf-
fered. l pray for His strength and
guidance to begin life over again. |
have been brought to a realizing sense
of what L have doue, and in a new land
and in new country shall take up the
struggle anew.
have had the terrible passion for
speculation and gambling, to which the
passion for drink is nothing. l never
knew the value of money. | received
from my father during bis lifetime and
after his death more than half million
of dollars; made nearly as much more
in pine lands and real estate. l took
S237.000 profit out of my interest in the
West Duluth Lard company, and nearly
as much more out of acre property at
West Superior.
All this has gone with other money in
the stock exchange and the board of
trade, at the race track and at the card
table. l never borrowed dollar that |
did not intend to repay. My instincts
were always honest, and my disposition
generous. L never refused to help a
friend in trouble. or failed to give aid to
friend IN distress. | have been
Wy Own Worst Enemy.
have quarreled with my sister. |
have done everything to get money.
have been blessed with dear, good
mother and an angel for wife. have
been most happily married. An unkind
word has never passed between us.
When my trouble in New York was
settled and everything paid l was in
such an agony of spirit that l deter
mined to put an end to my existence.
But some still, small voice said to me:
Don't; there is yet time TO undo the
wrong you have done; to begin again
and profit by the past"
never thought it was serious mat
ter to give checks on an overdrawn ac-
count. l always expected to make them
good. and usually did so. In this case
the check was on bank | had organ
lied and in which had been a director,
and where | had been allowed over
drafts as high as $1,000.
The newspaper reports were grossly
exaggerated, and in many respects I'M
true. But 1t was choice murSel for
them and it was sensational, and it nat
tered little what innocent people suf-
fered. L would Willingly
Serve Five Years In Jail
to have saved my wife and mother the
sorrow this has caused them. But my
mother and my sister have received me
with open arms, my sister and | are re-
conciled and the past forgiven.
| have other rich and Influential
friends who are able and willing and
anxious to help me if l show them that
| am sincere in the solemn oath | have
taken never again TO speculate or gam
bic in any way. shape or manner, and
with the grace and help of Almighty
God l shall keep that vow.
Today | start for a new home to
begin again the struggle of life, firmly
resolved to do right and live right.
have just passed my thirty-third BIRTH
day. | go with heavy and contrite
heart, and l hope 10 undo the wrongs L
have done and regain the position |
formerly occupied in society and in the
affections of my friends in Minnesota.
If L keep my vow l will return to
Duluth in one year, prepared to pay
every dollar owe there.
And if so come back, l ask my
friends in Duluth to lend me helping
hand, and to forgive and forget the sins
of our common humanity.
And if | fail 20 keep my pledge, l
will never come back. And may the
lessons of my life, with its tragic end,
serve Ito point moral OF adorn tale"
l know that In view of The news
paper reports there can be but one gen.
eral opinion in Duluth. and that of
anger at me and sympathy for my poor
wife.
Where ! go but one person shall
know, but l have assurances of large
financial aid if L come back in one year
and can truthfully say: Il have kept
my oath, and by the grace of heaven |
always will keep it,"