Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-03
Ex-TREASURER VINCENT.
He Is Now at Hazlehursl, Mss. Working as
Boss Painter.
Hazlehurst MISSY Courier.


Hazlehurst Miss) Courier.
There are few persons who will not re-
call the great sensation produced about.
ten years ago when 1t became known
that Hon. Ike Vincent, treasurer of Ala
bama, and leader not only among politi-
clans in that state, but in the social
realm of gay Montgomery, the capital
city, was a defaulter In the sum of many
thousands of dollars and had fled the
country. 1t will also be recalled that
after a number of years of fruitless
search he at last returned to the scene
of his former triumph, not to say glory,
was tried convicted and sentenced to- the
penitentiary for a term Of years, being
finally pardoned by the governor be-
cause of i'll health caused by conf1ne-
ment.
As the writer remembers from reading
newspaper accounts of the affair, these
lines give an outline of the transaction
that at one time was the talk of the
country, from the lakes to the gulf, and
from the Atlantic to the Pacific They
are recalled by the fact that Ex-Treasu-
rer Vincent is now and has been for
two weeks past in Hazlehurst, having
taken the contract of painting the Rob
ertson hotel, which is being done by
workmen under him.
Coming here in this humble though
honest capacity, he might have kept his
identity concealed for an indefinite pc
Rod But 1t is presumed he did not care
to do so, preferring to reveal his individ-
uality to those with whom he must have
business dealings, and trust to their gen
crosby and charitableness in dealing
with one who had drained the cup or
bitterness to the very dregs, and was
trying in an honest way to recover his
former station among men, or at least
make a new name and character for him
self among strangers in strange com
munity.
Mr.. Vincent is apparently about so
years old. His whiskers are beginning to
turn white and on his face and about the
lips are evident lines of care and sorrow.
In conversation he is most entertaining,
his voice being soft and low and his
words well chosen.
Among other things he spoke of the
transaction that caused his downfall
how a trusted friend-a banker named
Wolfe-had influenced him to allow the
use of state funds for speculative pur-
poses. ostensbly fora few days, and how
the money was lost and his honor for
feited as the stake. Realizing how mat
ters stood. he left home just before the
meeting of the Legislature for New York,
to see Wolfe and to try and get money
to replace that which was lost. Before
going he sent his confidential clerk a
note apprising him of the condition of
things, expecting that the contents would
be kept a secret. But the information
was made public, and on reaching Gin
cinnati Vincent picked up a paper, only
to discover that in it he was branded as
an embezzler and absconder with re-
ward of $4,000 offered for his apprehen-
sion. Abandoning his proposed trip to
New York he went to st. Louis and came
down the river, finally going to the inte-
rior of Louisiana and locating near Mon
roe, where he farmed two years. He
then went with his wife, who had joined
him. to the island of Jamaica. Here he
lived until conscience prompted that it
was best to return to Alabama, give him
self up and stand the consequences,
which he did with the result as stated