Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-17
MORE ABOUT TOM COFFIN.
A story Of Minnesota scheme In which
the winthrop (Ne) Wonder Appears
His Operations I'm Maine.

A Red Lake Falls Mimi dispatch to the
New York Tribune says:
In July, 1873. F F. Coffin Of Usage Iowa,
and w. A. kirkham. of Fargo, Dakota
visited this place and opened negotiations
with Carrie Kretzchman. owner of a large
portion of this village, for a half interest in
his water power mill. ground, and unim-
proved property within the village limits.
These negotiations resulted in the organiza-
Company. with a nominal capital of $500.
900, Bonds t" the amount Of 800. 900 were
issued, which F. Coffin undertook to
dispose of in the East through the agency of
a broker, Thomas Coffin of Winthrop,
Me Hearing of these negotiations, though
the purchase money had not been paid, Mr..
kretchman continued the improvement of
the enormous water power on the Red Lake
River. forming part of the property, and
built Touring mill and elevator. Three
months ago Mr. krethman went to Boston,
where he met Kirkham and the two Collins
in order to bring matters to a focus, with the
result that Thomas Coffin came West To eN-
anime with the others the property, and see
what could be done with it This was fol-
lowed by proposition from Thomas Coffin
to the citizens of Red Lake Falls to assume
a large share of the cost of building branch
road to connect this place with st Paul,
Minneapolis and Manitoba line, providing
these citizens voted bonds and then raised
a certain amount by private subscription,
with the additional understanding that, If
this was done. he would set the mill com
pany on its feet financially.
The credentials shown were Of such char
acter as to satisfy not only the citizens here,
but bankers in st. Paul and Crookston and
the citizens of this village promptly accepted
the offer. Work began vigorously. survey
has been completed by the engineer of the
Manitoba road and the heaviest part of the
grade from the proposed depot ground to the
prairie. two miles distant, is now well adj
vanced. The milling and lumber company,
of which Thomas Coffin was president, was
pledged for the payment of the cost OF this
work, and when Coffin left here for st. Paul,
il was with the understanding that on July /,
all bills aud wages should be paid. Last
Monday. instead of Mr.. Coffin. came person
provided with the power of attorney, VINO
summarily discharged every man on the road
and the employees of the company, without
ps,ment. or explanation. and prepared to
skip. The men on the road stopped
him. and held him until yesterday,
expecting BY this to bring Thomas
Coffin back and receive their pay. Learning
that he was in Canada and out of reach, with
some $4,000 of plumber. they released the
man. During the week facts have come to
light that indicate the existence of deep
laid scheme on the part of the trio to swindle
Mr.. Kretzchman. He has secured the aid of
leading ATTORNEYS in st. Paul and Crookston,
and IL is probable that he will recover most
If not all of his property. The suspension OF
work on the railroad will probably be only
temporary. Whatever Coffin and his associates
have secured by their schemes must have
been by the sale of the corporations STOCK
and bonds. Not over $1,000 are due the
railroad hands, and this, if the road is built,
will he provided for. Aside from that Mr.
Kretzchman is the only person IN town VINO
will be loser.
A Boston paper says; "A few years ago
Thamss his brother +. +. Coffin and two
nice Iookins smart Germans made their ap-
nearance in Winthrop, claiming that they
were members of and owners in the Red Lake
Fails Milling and Lumber Company and they
commenced selling bonds TO parties IN IN
,brop. Skowhegau, Waterville ana Farming
ton. and all over the State. One gentleman nov
living in Milton purchased to the amount %
sac. 900. II was a clean swlndie TOT 1n1 1
bonds were not worm one CENT NJ
wealthy and influential citizens OF WIN
,hrop were badly heeced. FOR .ne
~ sve or six months Thomas has
been stopping in Boston. though pretending 9
he vas ont West. About one month ago ne
suddenly returned to winthrop, sold his stand
for SOS, 900 to L. T Carleton, bis attorney .a y
hacked up his goods and shipped them 70
Montreal. Que Tom then went "es' ~ ~
order to consumate, it is supposed the sNll".e
that is described above he oough' an -
s;~e carriage for a span of horses. DRIVING
mr.; into the stable one day, some triiing thing
occurred concerning the carnage OF OF
the way il turned. when he ordered one OF
liz men TO take it and chop it into four lhcn
nieces. He has also been known 70 eu w. ny
several fine harnesses. Regarding hess
singular acts, some said he was Graz! .S n
some thought be was 1901. &c -,
claimed to be unmarried, out ia'er p's'e'''