The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-12
ASKED TO BE INDICTED
PITIFUL STORY OF HUGH CAMP
BELL, GUILTY OF EMBEZZLING.
Preyed on His CONFERENCE.-The Wife's
Sad Fate Led Him to Become
Drunkard.

In the Criminal Court, yesterday. was
ore of the most pitiful cases that has come
to the knowledge of the court officials for
long time. 1t was that of Hugh Camp
bell. who lives in the northeastern part of
the city. He was sentenced to two years
Imprisonment for embezzlement
few days ago he surprised the men,
bers of the grand jury very much by APP
pearing and asking to be allowed 70 testify
against himself. His son was with him.
He went on the stand and told of his con-
nection with the Bee Hive Savings and
Loan Association. He said that for eight
or nine years he has been secretary and
treasurer of the association. 1t has
very small membership of workingmen,
most of whom were not familiar with bust
ness methods. Campbell said that for
long time he had been embezzling small
amounts from the association. He said
that when a man would make a payment
he would give credit on the mans pass
book for the correct amount but would
enter on his own book a less amount.
These sums amounted to about So or 81 a
week.
This statement of Campbell was so I'M
usual that when Campbell had left the
grand jury room Mr.. Wiltsie. who was
present, advised that no indictment be re-
turned on that evidence alone but that
some of the stockholders of the associa-
ton be called in and that the books be
examined. This was done The stock
holders who were examined were very
much surprised when the nature of the
case was made known TO them. They had
always had the most implicit confidence in
Campbell, and did not think il possible
that he could be an embezzler and it was
not until the books We're compared with
the members pass books that the stock
holders could believe that Campbell was an
embezzler
On this testimony the grand jury re-
turned indictment against Campbell.
charging him with embeZzement. He was
in court when the Indictment was returned.
and as soon as given an opportunity
pleaded guilty 10 the charge. He offered
no excuse for his acts. but said he had
committed a crime and desired to pay the
penalty. When told by Judge McCray that
two years Imprisonment was the least
penalty possible he did not offer any OBJ
jections. There was a great inclination on
the part of all the court officials TO make
the penalty lighter than that i'm view of all
the circumstances. but there was no way
to do so. Campbell asked Judge McCray
to receive the grand jury's report. If n COM
mitment could not be made out immediate
ly, and let him go TO the penitentiary last
night.
Campbell's case is a pitiful one in many
ways. About three years ago his wife
went blind during child birth, and this
preyed on Campbelrs mind so much that
he went TO drinking. a thing he had never
before done He kept drinking until about
drawing sober breath Then he seemed
to determine TO sober up. and since that
time has not drank drop OF liquor of any
, kind. Win ms SOBER MIND came the full
knowledge of his actions. and this began
to prey on his mind. He knew that he
could not make up his defalcations, and
began to worry about the matter
In this frame of mind he called on At
torney w. l. Taylor. who had formerly
acted as attorney for the association I'm
some business matters. Mr.. Taylor said
the matter was not one on which the adj
vice of an attorney should be asked. He
was very much surprised TO hear Camp
BELLS story. and could scarcely believe it.
When Campbell appeared before the
grand jury he was accompanied by his
son. The son was questioned as to his
father was all right mentally. and that his
statement was correct. although he was
sorry that ii true.
Campbell has a wife and two children
here. Mrs. Campbell is blind and the old
est boy is scarcely able to provide for her
during his fathers Incarceration. There
was talk yesterday in the Criminal Court
of making an application for a pardon
soon. which would undoubtedly be signed
by the court officials and the members of
the grand jury. 1T is believed that Camp
bell is a man whose thoughts will suf-
ficiently punish him for his act and that
imprisonment would simply result in hard
ship for his family
1t is feared that Campbell may attempt
to commit suicide. and he is being closely
watched by the sheriff who will advise the
warden at Michigan City to continue the
watch. The one explanation of the con-
fession is that the matter had so preyed on
CampbeTs mind that he feared it would
overcome him and cause him to commit
suicide. and he preferred 10 confess and go
to the penitentiary rather than commit
suicide.