Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-10-13
THE HOOKING VALLEY MATTER,
Letter From Lieu,ant Governor Ames Of
Massachusetts Sustaining Mr..
Blaine.
BosToN, Mass, Oct. l2.

BosToN, Mass, Oct. IL.
The following letter has been furnished for
publication by Lieutenant Governor Ames;
To the Editor of the Boston Daily Adver-
tser:
Several days ago you published a commu-
nication from J. Henry Brooks, giving a copy
of a letter written by Mr.. Blaine to Mr.. Bun
dy, stating that he never owned any coal or
iron lands in the Hooking Valley of Ohio
Mr.. Brooks also gave a copy of receipt
given by Mr.. Dennison, as agent, for S25, 900
paid by Mr.. Blaine, in subscription for a
block in the Hope Furnace tract enterprise,
and also a copy of a receipt given by Mr..
Elkins, on account of Mr.. Blaine, for fifty
bonds of the Standard Coal and Iron Com
pany, in settlement Of his subscription.
This communication has been spread broad
cast over the country, in the press, and pub.
lished as evidence that Mr.. Blaine wrote the
letters, and paid in the s25 900, and that Mr..
Elkins receipted for the bonds, Just as you
published in the story.
know something of this transaction to my
sorrow and modification. /, as well as Mr..
Blaine, was victim of the projectors of this
apparently magnificent enterprise. The
scheme was laid before me in glowing colors.
The Hope Furnace tract was said TO contain
lands in the State of Ohio. A geological re-
port was made by J. Herry Hunt, giving the
the most rose-colored accounts of the mineral
richness of the tract, and the evidence of
practical iron men who had visited the sec
ton, and were engaged in The Hooking Valley.
was laid before me. The protector who
brought the matter to my attention was the
grandson of one of the best men ever knew
son of one OF the most distinguished rail
road men in New England-and, up to that
time, he was supposed to be successful in all
his undertakings. After consulting with two
members of my family. ! agreedto subscribe
for a s25 900 block, each of us agreeing to
own one-third and to pay one-third of the
money. | did subscribe as agreed. This,
while appeared on the subscription list as
an owner Of S25, 900, really owned but one.
third Of it, and furnished but one-third of the
money. Mr.. Blaine's letter shows that,
although his name was on the list for s25, 900
he only furnished Sl2.50O of the money.
When paid in the money, / received re-
ceipts from Mr.. Dennison, the agent of the
projected association. At the time | sub
scribed, several blocks had not been taken,
and to the best Of my knowledge they never
we're taken and paid for. inquired several
times in regardtto it afterwards, and was told
that the blocks were not taken and the pur-
chase was not completed. Nearly two years
elapsed and all had ever received was Mr..
Dennison's receipt for my money. Then the
protector came to me. and offered me bonds
of the Standard Coal and Iron Company, at
par, at the rate of two dollars for every dollar
paid in. This was all I could get, 80 |
accepted it, as / Understood all the other sub
scribers had agreed TO do.
This is an exact statement of the transac-
ton as / knew it. The document published
BY Mr.. Brooks shows that Mr.. BlailIe's posi-.
ton was the same a. mine.
These being the facts, say that Mr.. Blaine
told the exact truth when he said he never
owned any lands in the Hooking Valley.
Notwithstanding bis payment of s25, 900 70
Mr.. Dennison be never became the owner OF
foot Of land in consequence thereof Neither
did /. All he ever received was, first, the
receipt of Mr.. Dennison, and later. lot o,
fifty bonds, which, as events have proved,
never had any real market value. Nv expe.
rience in this matter again reminds me of the
parable that begins, "a certain man journeyed
| from Jerusalem to Jaicho and fell among
thieves" / got stripped, and 90 did Mr..
Blaine. The receipt for the money paid In
wss no certificate of ownership in the land,
Of the Hope Furnace tract. The bonds re-
ceived proved not TO be valid first mortgage
on the property of the Standard Coal and Iror
Company. as alleged, and today have no mar
kes value. What Mr.. Blaine actuall,