The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-05
The st. Johnsbury Forger

St. Johnsbury has been greatly excited
for few days past over the failure of the
insurance firm of Messrs. Bowman & Hop
kins and the Disappearance Of the latter,
who has evidently left for parts unknown.
The liabilities of the concern, as for as
known, amount to some $50 00O-most of
it in small sums-the companies they re-
present coming in for fair share of the
losses. The partner who remains to breast
the storm is gentleman of good impulses,
somewhat credulous, and having trusted to
the management of his corartncr, knows
| little of the business, and is doubly ruined
W tne transaction. Inc dooeuiped Partner
the Ro-. Ii. ID. hopkins, ia a Methodist
| clergyman who was formerly on the ,,.
cult, but has lstterly been local preacher,
Spectator and general shyster, if recent
developments are to be relied upon. This
second edition OF Winslow was formerly &
poor man, but latterly he has bought u
house, furnished it elegantly, spread out
into generous style of living, and appear
ed to be doing flourishing business Not
long since a check of $500 was sent to the
Vermont Mutual fire insurance company
| at Montpelier by Hopkins in settlement OF
premiums collected, which was protested,
| and remains unpaid. Judge Bowman says
he knew nothing Of the matter until since
the disappearance of Hopkins. This is one
of the devices lately resorted to by Hop.
| kins for the purpose of evading the press
| ing demands of insurance companies upon
the firm for settlements which had become
| tardy beyond endurance. AS sample of
the Winslow- Hopkins method OF proceed
ing, the case of woman whore late hus-
band was insured in the National (Ver-
monO life insurance company, represented
by this concern, may be cited. She made
erproofs Of loss and after waiting tor some
time after the money became due applied
to Hopkins for payment. The company had
that time sent him (Hopkins) draft, pay
able to her order on Boston, fer 81 900,
the amount of the policy. Hopkins told
her that 1t was not w due, but that if she
would write her mare uoon the back of
this paper producing the drafD he would
get the money for her. The widow I'M
suepectingly wrote her name, and some
little time thereafter Hopkins sent her a
check for $500, and his note for $780, tell
ing her that he would collect the balance
| and pay the note. Your correspondent is
informed that this lady, under advice, did
afterwards secure the $500 covered by the
note, but some other similar creditors were
not so fortunate. Since the failure, pay
ments upon two policies in the National
Life insurance company upon the life of
Hopkins have become due, and the officers
of that corporation have received notice of
the transfer of both policies to parties out
side his family. This would look as if the
reverend imitator Of Winslcw had prepared
for the denouement. The family of Mr..
Hopkins are very respectable, Mrs. Hop.
kins being an estimable, christian lady.
His children occupy q position in the best
society-one son having been for some
time private secretary Of Governor Fair
banks, position he accepta5ly fills. 1t Is
to be regretted that such a calamity should
befall this family, and they have the Sin
cere sympathy OF the community.