On February 7, 1913, a lengthy federal manhunt in search of William Rockefeller ended when he finally submitted to questioning from Jekyll Island, Georgia. He had led a total of 40 deputies, as well as a number of Burns and Pinkerton detectives, on a merry chase across the country. It all began in April of 1912, when a Congressional subcommittee was formed to investigate the presence of a “money trust” in the United States. It came to be known as the Pujo Committee, in honor of its chairman, Aresène Pujo. Pujo sought evidence that a few financial leaders held an unhealthy control over the nation’s money and financial future. The Pujo Committee called a number of influential Jekyll Island Club Members to testify during the course of its investigations, including George F. Baker, James J. Hill, J.P. Morgan, and William Rockefeller. When called to the stand in June, Rockefeller went into hiding at Rockwood Hall, his estate in Tarrytown, New York. For over six months, deputies unsuccessfully attempted to serve him with a subpoena. Rockefeller wrote to inform Pujo that his health would not permit him to testify. His physician, Dr. Walter Chappell corroborated the claim, stating that Rockefeller was too ill to appear due to throat trouble. Congress authorized “any reasonable expense” in the pursuit of Rockefeller. Federal agents and detectives staked out his properties in New York as well as his daughters’ residences, beginning December 30. The expense of staking out the New York estates was wasted, however, as Rockefeller had left the state with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law several weeks before, arriving on Jekyll Island on December 19. Deputies investigated the rumor of this trip to Jekyll and searched the island, but failed to locate Rockefeller. Family letters indicated that, “Dad had the gentleman in question driving all a.m.” On January 3, Rockefeller’s attorneys finally accepted the summons on his behalf. Rockefeller was still staying with his family on Jekyll Island in the Sans Souci apartment complex, rather than at Indian Mound, Rockefeller’s cottage on the island. Attorneys continued to insist, however, that Rockefeller would not be able to testify in light of his ill health. Chappell testified that Rockefeller suffered from swelling of the larynx, constriction of the passageway, and spasms brought on by talking, excitement, or stomach upset. He warned, “a severe attack would terminate fatally.” Chappell stated that he had prescribed “the silent treatment,” for his patient. Another family physician, Dr. Samuel Waldron Lambert, confirmed Chappell’s diagnosis, adding that Rockefeller also suffered from tremors of the head and hands, which would make written testimony impossible. He also added that any excitement or strain “might very reasonably be expected to cause his sudden death.” Rockefeller was then examined by a doctor hired by the Pujo Committee. Headlines reported, “Much-Sought Witness is Ailing Badly, but Can Stand Such a Strain.” Rockefeller would have to testify. In consideration of his health, an hour limit was set for the interview and the Council agreed to a private deposition held on Jekyll Island at Rockefeller’s Sans Souci apartment on February 7. During questioning, Rokefeller responded in whispers to four brief questions about where he resided, his stay on Jekyll Island, whether he recalled the organization of Amalgamated Copper, and whether this organization had occurred in 1898. Just twelve minutes after the questioning began, Rockefeller halted procesures by a fit of coughing and trembling. Chappell revealed that Rockefeller had throat cancer and that a new growth had recently formed. Unwilling to endanger Rockefeller’s life, Pujo left Jekyll Island without any new information about his stock transactions. Chasing Rockefeller down and forcing him to testify had served no real purpose. Rockefeller lived until June 24, 1922, when he died at the age of 81. It was reported in his obituary that he had worked almost to the end of his life. For further information about the many influential Jekyll Island Club Members that first made Jekyll Island a premier vacation resort, visit the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road, (912) 635-4036. Exhibits are open to the public free of charge, and tours of the historic district depart daily.

Tags: georgia coast, historic tours, jekyll island vacation, the jekyll island museum, the pujo committee, william rockefeller

This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 4:43 pm and is filed under Beachscape, February 2008. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.