Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-04

and that Langley undoubtedly was the same
person who several years ago hastily left
Boston after defrauding the people right and
left out of many Thousands.
The company's headquarters was fitted up
with great elegance and occupied by a small
army of clerks which mostly composed Lang
ley's victims, who were induced to invest
savings to obtain situations, and who re-
ceived neither salary, dividends nor princi-
pal, which were all secured" by blocks of
stock in the construction company.
1t was found that the company sent out a
beautifully printed prospectus which set
forth that "The U. S. Construction and In
vestment Co.'S capital stock $500, 900. au-
thorized by its charter to buy, sell and deal in
new inventions for railway service to secure
pftents nall countries; to organize corpora
tons for the purpose of developing improve
ments and enterprises connected with railway
service to negotiate capital for the promo
ton of such enterprises: to build railway
rolling stock and to own, sell and lease the
same; to construct railways; to buv and sell
railway stocks. bonds and securities; to own
any real estate or personal property ne ces
sary or convenient for the business of the
corporation.
The prospectus further stated that the
company had correspondents in all railway
cities throughout the world. The capital
stock was represented as fully paid with a
large surplus in the treasury. The follow
ing were given as officers
President-James Henry Langley.
Vice President-Franklin r. Homer.
Secretary-Alfred I. Ackert.
Assistant Secretary-B. f. Quinley.
Treasurer-Wm. T. Rand.
Mechanical Observation-Disclosures F. Lang
ley.
Mostor Carhui1Ior-A
Chief Mechanical Engineer-Samuel T.
Field.
General AgAnt-H. s. Nettleton.
Expert in Patent Cases-M. Randolph.
Manager of Canadian Atfairs-Fred G.
Smith, Montreal.
Manager of European Affairs-H. Donald
Armstrong, London.
Manager of France and Belgium Affairs
M. Mandi, Paris.
The company was organized under the
New York state statute last year, the names
of the incorporators being given as Alfred II.
BOYD, Alfred T. Ackert and OFT Joslyn, all
of New York, John +. Langley and one Mar
tin. The existence of the alleged New
Workers could not De ascertained. John +.
Langley was found to be the uncle of James
Henry Langley. Martin says his name was
forged to the incorporation articles.
Among the assets claimed BY the company
was a whole town known as Bridgeport, Tex
as. With this town the company claimed to
hold at its disposal 800, 900 acres the value
of which is represented as fabulous.
Glowing advertisements were inserted in
papers in country districts and victims were
numerous; a small advertisement in the Bos-
ton papers, offering important commercial
positions {" to gentlemen with $780," ETC..
lured many. His victims are among invent
and n ion IF nd
seeking employment and are innumerable.
The Limited Live Stock Express Company
intended to dupe live stock and cattle raisers
of the western states, was also organized and
run by Langley, but how much was realized
from this source is not known.
In addition the officers find that during the
last five years Langley has organized scores
of bogus concerns. He opened the office un
der the firm name of Langley & Son of New
York The office was to be used as an agen-
cy for the sale of patent medicines. He ad-
vertised for men of capital, many of whom it
is alleged he swindled.
The stock of the agency was found to con-
sist of square blocks of wood, so labelled as
to convey the impression that the packages
contained medicines.
Later on he organized the Anti Fat & Anti
Lean Co., under New Hampshire West
India Guano Co., at Portsmouth; Mexican
|, Guano CO., in Maine: Chaplin Anti Friction
Car Box Car Co., in New York; National
Anti Friction Box Car Co., Chicago. The
Centennial Construction Co., which had many
victims who will remember it to their sorrow,
was another of his schemes. In connection
with the latter concern Boston gentleman
put into the stock some $67 600 Later on a
mortgage Of the company on the old State
prison buildings at Concord, n. II. was fore
closed and Morrel found himself held respon-
sible for the debts contracted BY Langley.
Morrell came out of the investment with
loss of fully 100000
After the Continental, Langley started the
Franklin Foundry Co. in Maine, the Anti
Friction Bearing Co. in New York, and the
Jewett Wrecking Co. at Portland.
All his concerns have proven worthless
and his victims form legions. He is sup.
posed to have confederates in various parts
of the country. two who it is alleged are J.
Monroe Hunter and james De Vaudeville,
who last September had an office and swim.
died people here. They are under indict-
ment at Northampton for swindling farmers
by raising notes given for moving machines.
Langley is said to have served q term in
New York Penitentiary and to have several
indictments standing against him in the West.
The costly furniture and trapings Of the office
of the Construction Co. was mortgaged by
him some time ago.
Some weeks ago the uncle of John H. Lang
ley wrote to the Doctor" saying he was in
an impoverished condition and although he
knew that large sums had been taken in at
the Boston Office, Nettleton would not give
him any and that if he, the :" Doctor" did
not take care of him he would make it warm
for the whole gang.
The Doctor" replied Immediately, telling
his uncle to be Of good cheer and that he
would come to Boston TO see him this week.
This letter fell into the hands of the police
and led to the doctors" arrest. He 10 nov
in Charles street Jail. nominally under $1,000
bonds, which will probably be increased to-
morrow to $40, 0O0.y 1t 10 learned that "Dr"
Langley had opened an Office in New York in
connection with several gentlemen compos-
ing his Land Syndicate, but intended to run
the Boston Offices and other agencies -
branches