The Van Buren press., 1873-09-30
LETTER FROM C. G. SCOTT.
Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad.

The following letter of Mr.. CnAs. G. SCoTT
which is published in the Fort Smith hide
p adent was called forth by an editorial in
the same paper, short time since:
MIR. JouS f. WHEELER:-
Dear Sir: | notice an article in your paper
of the llth inst. concerning the Fort smith
Railroad, in which you alludc to me in nc
very complimentary terms. and call on me &c
answer certain questions concerning the al.
fair, and advise and urge me rs a friend TO uR-
raret the rhDie Ming and ending with Il threa,
that ii | don't do so. they VIII be answered
from another source, and the whole thina
.iftcd to the bottom. You seem to think am
in possession OF some knowledge or fact, that
! am unwilling to disclose Nearly AL the
questions you ask, can be obtained from the
records on lille with the Secretary Of the com
pany | know no more than any of the Di-
rertors, who served with me | have however
without the fear of the threat. concluded tc
answer your questions so far as can.
To y0ur 6rst-I do not know why Warren
Fisher suspended work, it was done after
ceased to be President.
IL your secoad-Denckla and his confeder-
ates never annulleu the contract 1t was done
by the Board here. They received nothing.
and were opposed to it, Warren Fisher would
not comply with his contract, and therefore it
was annuled lie was reported bankrupt
While l was President | signed and Issued
to Warren Fisher. for work then done. and
iron purchased and rolling stock. in accord
a1ce with the contract, and with the approval
CT the Board of Directors. $500 Land Bonds.
300 lst Mortgage Bonds. and the stock that
was then due. don't now remember. but the
records will show. You can get a copy of the
Denckla contract on file in the Seci etary Of
flee, with such other information as may be
necessary for your committee to proceed
with its investigation, and will render them
all the aid in my power.
The road fell into the hands of the Boston
parties because they held the majority of the
stock, and could therefore elect whom they
pleased. and why the old stockholders were
thrust aside, | am AS ignorant as you are.
Mr.. Ianeys' report about the Issue of Bonds
includes the Pratt administration, and which
a report the Secretary would show and cx-
plain
There was no work done on the road (cX-
cept the recent laying of the track since
was the President, and up to that time the
work was being pushed forward vigorously,
and | had issued by the approval of the Board.
all the Bonds then due
The contract was made by Mr.. Haney in
New York with Mr.. Denckla. by authority
Of Hon. Jesse Turner. "a President, Moreau
Rose and myself, executive committee, and
afterwards, transferred by Mr.. Denckla to
Mr.. j. r. Robinson and by him to ID w. G..
Wheeler, and from Wheeler to Mr.. Warren
Fisher, Jr. The consideration that passed, |
know nothing about all of which was after
wards ratified and approved by the Board
and the contract changed and modified
In conclusion, be assured that II | was In
possession of any facts or knowledge con-
cerning the road. that would cheerfully give
1t to your committee. ] have nothing what
ever to conceal and am anxious and willing
to have the whole matter thoroughly investi.
gated. have done nothing to be ashamed
of. and all |. as well rs the Directors who
were associated with me ever done, we be-
ievcd to be for the best interest of the road.
know that blame rests some where now. and
am as much annoyed at IL as any one else. as
no ono desires more than do, the completion
of the road, and. hope your committee win
follow 1t up until 1t accompllshcs the desired
end that Il. the completion of the road, and
the payment of its debts have worked
hard and done all IN my power to accomplish
that end, and have frequently been ccnsGred
severely when was not to blame. l notice
continually In the newspaper articles about
The issue Of Be nds, which are invariably in
co, .cct, ana censuring persons who are not
to blame. ana IL seems 10 mo more good can
be accomplished by the committee gong 70
work and getting all the Information iron,
the Secretary's Office OF the company, ana
whatever can be done !, as stockholder. VIII
most assurcdly render any aid or assistance
In my power.
G. G. SCOTT.