In 1866, Freedman’s Bureau officials in Raleigh investigated an anonymous complaint alleging corruption and mismanagement by a Wilson hotelkeeper engaged by the Goldsboro Bureau chief George O. Glavis to distribute clothing and blankets to freedmen in Wilson. Though the report below blandly sets out John J. Lutts‘ venality, the investigator’s astonishment at Lutts’ dishonesty peeks through. In a nutshell, Lutts spent lavishly on himself and his family, sold only some of the goods consigned to him, applied the proceeds to his personal debts, then presented Glavis with a bill for money owed. The investigation also disclosed that a local police officer, perhaps with Glavis’ permission, was skimming money off the top of fines collected pursuant to Bureau judgments. Lutts, a Pennsylvania native, had served as a Confederate officer in a Maryland regiment, and had arrived in North Carolina during the war. Misconduct aside, he and his family appear in the 1870 census of Wilson, where he was described as keeper of the Wilson Hotel.
Anonymous. “A Friend to Justice.” Wilson, N.C. June 4, 1866.
Makes charges against the Agent of the Bureau at Goldsboro. E.B.[?].285. Endrt. of Col. Brady Supt. Cent. Dist. Respectfully returned to Col. C.A. Colley A.A.G. — In compliance with your endorsement of the 22, Ult. I proceeded to Wilson, N.C. the 23, Ult. and continued until the 26 ult. the investigation of the charges made against an Officer of the Bureau in the Sub. Dist. of Goldsboro, in the within Anonymous Communication to the War Dept. I find that sometime in Feb. 1866. Chaplain Glavis sent clothing and blankets to J.J. Lutts an Hotel keeper at Wilson to be sold at auction and private sale. This clothing (I am told) was sent to Chap. Glavis by the National Freedmen’s Aid Society of New York for distribution and sale to freedmen in his sub dist. According to the invoices sent said Lutts by Chap. Glavis the value of the clothing amounted to $273.25 besides the blankets which latter were marked U.S. The invoices of the clothing you will find herewith marked A.-B.-C. and E.- together with a certified copy of a Private letter from Chap. Glavis to said Lutts in relation to this clothing and the amount of money if sold for, marked “D.” Also a true copy of the testimony taken during the investigation. The cash sales for Blankets and clothing sold by Lutts for Chap. Glavis are $111.90 — sold and charged on the books of Lutts for Blankets and clothing $42.25 making the total sales at Wilson so far as I could learn $154.15 which latter amount Lutts placed to the credit of Chap. Glavis and charged him as follows — viz. Cash $76.00 _ Eggs $16.00 _ Smoking pipe $15.00 _ Turkey $2.00 _ Tobacco $1.50 _ Telegraph 65/100 _ Chairs $3.50 _ Boots $10.00 _ Brandy $10.00 Board of Wife, child & servant $25.00 _ Board of himself, wife and child $9.00 _ Express package 50/100 _ Chickens $1.75 _ Total $170.90 _ Deduct sales clothing & Blankets $154.15 _ Balance $16.75 which leaves a balance due Lutts by Chap. Glavis of Sixteen and 75/100 dollars ($16.75) I found in possession of Mr. Lutts, who I found had no disposition to conceal the fact, 25 women skirts, 17 shirts, 38 jackets, and 6 pairs of blankets which I directed him to hold subject to the order of Major Stickney Asst. Supt. Sub List. of Goldsboro, my own order or that of a Superior officer of the Bureau. I further found that $45.00 had been collected (for fines imposed by Chap. Glavis) through a member of the local police of Wilson Co. named H.D. Patton and who was detailed by the Capt. of said local police for this purpose, this man Patton was allowed to collect in addition to the fines and judgements imposed by Chap. Glavis ten (10) dollars in each case for his services. Your attention is invited to the testimony of Mr. Thomas Hadley a citizen of Wilson who complains that he was, by Chap. Glavis, compelled to pay $90.00 unjustly and without a fair trial, and that instead of paying said $90.00 to the complainant “Gilley” a colored woman, she received only $40. while $50. was retained by the officer Patton. Patton testifies that he kept $25.00 for his services by order of Chap. Glavis, and paid $65.00 to the colored woman Gilly. _ This $90.00 was rendered against Mr. Hadley for money “supposed” to be due this woman “Gilly” _ not a fine _ Respectfully submitted. _ Respectfully returned to Maj. Genl. Howard, Comr. with attention invited to endorsement of Col. A,G. Brady Supt. Cent. List. & accompanying papers. B.R.F.& A.L.Hd. Ins. Asst. Come. /s/ Jno. C. Robinson, Bvt. Maj. Genl. Asst. Comr.
Raleigh, N.C. July 9 N.C.