New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-09

tn,ony in regard to the charges against Mann.
judge Dodge finally decided that he had no jnrls-
diction in the case; that the subscribers
to the stock of the unfortunate company
could only pursue Mann in the Civil Courts The
prisoner was accordingly discharged and disap-
pcared from Ncw-York. being next heard of as a
customs-house officer at Mobile. The exposure IN
the police court, however. killed the company. IL
disappeared from view with Mann aud was never
heard of again. r. is needless to say that the sub
scribrrs 90 the stock never realized anything from
the sale of its property. There seemed to be no as
SETS
TALK WITH W. c. CHURCH..
w. c. Church, of The Army and Nary Journal
spoke freely yesterday with TRIBUNE reporter
upon his connection with the company and upon
his understanding of the frand practised in con-
rectIon wthit. When the subject was introduced
into the conversation, Mr.. Church said:
The short period covered by The life Of the com
pany il now a good many years distant
and may not recall from memory the precise iacts
you desire. Joined the company upon the repre-
sensations of Mann, who took the liberty himself OIL
cecting me treasurer. When i informed OF
this act of his sent him word that could not and
would not accept the position whcreupon he came
TO ne and SAID that lie had not donbtcd OF my ac-
ceptancc he had ssued a the circulars OF the com
pany with my name "a that OF the treasurer, ana
that pcTemptory refusal on my part would cause
the company the greatest embarrassment. Looking
at he mat from this point of view, / consented
10 the of my name UNTIL the next meeting OF inc
company, with the understanding that n treasurer
should then be elected. Inever quahbed as treas
urrr and never acted III that capacity"
Were there ever any returns made Tor the money
invcstedW
Il think not: certainly there were none that !
ever beard Of. | know that never received any
thing for or on account OF my own investment,
WHAT is your understanding OF the nature OF inc
fraud tina practised by or IN the name OF the
cOmpaDyW
" The company was one of honest purposes.
| was one OF tie committee appointed 70 invest te
the situation when the bottom dropped ouI, aud l
| have the papers mewhcre now. My understand
| ing Is tha. the company was duped b. Mann, VINO
either owned or controlled lands IN ONO and Penn
| sylvana. which he desired to dispose OF at hlgh
| figures He tbs refOTc rep cseutcd that they were
| valuable petroleum lands Il was n time then when
! the petroleum fever was raging. ana money was
| freely invested IN lands that were believed TO 30
| petroleum reservoirs. 1t WAS subsequently, fonnd
| that the lands represented by Nann 10 he vaIuane
| were worthless, and the company went to pieces.
| One of the original investors IN the properties so
| glowlngiy descT bed III the c0mpanys prospectus
| AZ rich petroleum lands, who does not wish his
| name used. said privately yesterday to TRIBUNE
reporter while speaking OF General liancocks con
| ncctlon with the company " General Hancock
cent victim of Mann's representations No
wrong can be attributed 10 INN III that connection.
| II was time when mon had not yet learned the
lesson that. becadse man had served WI credit III
the Army, yet he not necessarily an honest anc
| Trustworthy person. | suppose II was with Grnerai
Hancock a. i was with others and that ~ Satsf' III
| INN 10 be told that Mann bad been an officer oil a
| Michigan cavalry regiment, when 10 asked who
| v0uched for the lands advertised by tine company
! " Did the company ever hold meetings that were
/ i.tended by the rflcersV
| " / thIuk II did. was present at one meeting"
| " Dd General Hancock ever attend meeting OF
| the company -
| - / do not know whether he was in New-York at
| all during the short Life OF the company or not