Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-30

4 New Chapter in Hartford and Erie.
There is almost always something pleasant
turning up in connection with Hart
ford and Erie. Besides the great COM
bina ton, which gives its exhibitions chiefly
in Boston, there are numerous side-shows,
appearing now and then in other places, which
offer considerable attractions. One of these
drew some attention in Hartford on Wednesday
The performers were the stars of the principal
company, Messrs. Eldredge, Farwell and Graves,
and the scene was the superior court. The re-
ceiYers of the bankrupt concern were endeavoring
to enforce their claim to the aqueduct property in
Putnam. The works were bought in 1868 for $4,000
which was thought very cheap at the time. The
deed was made 10 Mr.. Farwell, but the receivers
claim that the consideration was paid by the
company, and the books show that the
draft on Mr.. Farwell for the price was paid
from the funds of Incorporation. A company,
consisting of Messrs. Eldredge, Farwell,
Graves, and one or two others was organized
last month with a capital of $4,000, under a
charter obtained in 1869, and this company now
claims TO own the acqueduct property, and col
lects its water rents from various sources, in
Guiding the Hartford AMI Erie railroad.
The receivers applied for an injunction to re-
strain the defendants from interfering with this
property. Mr.. Graves, who appeared for him
self and others, said that the railroad corpora
ton had nothing to do with the purchase of the
aqaeduct, but that it was an individual specula-
ton; and added, with a burst of candor: owe
intended to make a nice little thing of it-that
is what we were at" As this intention differed
from their general purpose in regard to the rail-
road property only in this particular, that of
the latter they meant TO make a nice big thing,
it did not occur to them to separate the accounts
or to steal the money from the Hartford and
Erie treasury before using it for this little spec
ulatiOn. 1t was trife easier and just as proper
to make the stealing and appropriation stimuli
taneous. As the history of the transaction was
further developed, it appeared that Mr. Graves
has been, up to the first of May last, the attor-
ney of the Hartford and Erie corporation, at
salary of five hundred dollars a month. paid
we suppose, by the receivers, and making
part of the sum which the Burdell bondholders
are expected to reimburse.
So long as this relation lasted he did not feel
at liberty to assert the claim of himself and his
associates to the aqueduct property, but when it
was terminated steps were taken to organize the
aqueduct company, and the arrangement was
completed on the 9Th of May The records.
read by Mr.. Graves, showed that the capital
stock was all paid in. On further inquiry he
could not say of his own knowledge that the
money was all paid; but he explained that his
stock, forty shares, was arranged" in this way.
He had performed certain services in organizing
the company without charge, and he then agreed
to act as attorney for the corporation for two
years, in consideration of $1,000, and he gave
his check-not money check, but an obliga-
ton to carry out his contract-and in re-
turn received the forty shares, amounting,
at $50 share, to $1,000, which squared
accounts. Mr.. Farwell also had an opportunity
TO tell what he knew about the purchase of the
aqueduct property, but it proved to be very lit
tie. He remembered the arrangement for the
purchase, and supposed he paid for il; but he
was dealing with millions then, and making
them disappear with marvellous rapidity and
mystery; he conld not be expected TO take
much heed of paltry $1,000. The little trans.
action, in all respects, except the amount in
Volyed, bears a strong resemblance to the affairs
which were warmly discussed in Massachusetts
little more than year ago in connection with
the same gentlemen who figured in Judge Par.
dee's court on Wednesday. The Judge reserved
his decision.