St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-24
SALTWATER NEWS.
The Charges Against Kerr.


The general topic of conversation in the
city yesterday was the alleged defaulcation
OF Aid. X. w. Kerr. whose property,
including house, several lots, furniture,
horses, carriages, etc., were seized by the
sheriff on an attachment issued in favor of
the Third National bank of st. Paul. The
amount OF the money which it is claimed
Kerr owes the bank is IS, 500, procured on
! falsitied Saltwater water stock certificates,
he being secretary of the water company
and also of the city gas company, besides
being engaged in the insurance business
with John Freeman, under the firm name
of Kerr IL Freeman. Besides the amount
due by Kerr to the bank, there is $1,000
mortgage on his house, and also various
sums due to the banks and individuals, in
Guiding several thousand dollars for the
purchase OF the agencies of Sundry inSur-
ance companies. Kerr was first seen in
Saltwater about four years ago. He was
widOwer and came from New Brunswick.
Almost Immediately after his arrival he en-
gagged in the insurance business, and took
an active interest in politics. He was an
unsuccessful candidate for the Office of
register of deeds, but was subsequently
elected an alderman from the Second
ward. Although he was supposed to
.ASs'O AAO MHGH uC Cdlilc
here he has since purchased for 81, 500 the
house and lot on which he lived and has
spent 81, 500 more in improving it. He is
also credited with having been very extrav-
agant in his tastes, buying the most expen-
slve furniture and clothing, and expanding
sums largely in excess of his income, which
he placed. III conversation with his friends,
at 81, 500. Aid. Kerr announced, several
weeks ago, that his wife Che had married
second time, his second wife being a Still
water LADY, was about to visit his relatives
in Canada, whom he had never seen; that
he would accompany her to Chicago and
would then return by July to open an in
suranee and real estate office in st. Paul.
Notice was, however, received by his
friends here that he had concluded to ac-
company his wife home, and on last Satur-
day he telegraphed his brother that he was
Ill in the hospital at Quebec, but would be
back this week. His brother and friends
still express the greatest confidence that he
will return, and point to the fact that his
winter clothing, wife's jewelry, etc., re-
main at the house, articles which could
easily have been taken off if desired. On
the other hand are the hypOthecated water
certificates which did not belong to him,
and the assertion of Charles L. Otis, the
81. Paul attorney, who represents
the bank, that he was sure he would never
return. Before leaving, Kerr gave his
brother Edward So, 500, which he was to use
in establishing himself in business; this
money young Kerr subsequently paid to
Mat Clark, on telegraphic order purport-
ing to come from his brother. The
telegram was dated Chicago. AS is
always the case in affairs of this kind
rumors of all kinds are circulated on the
streets. Kerr is said to have gotten in
difficulties of similar character before and
to have fled to Australia, and he is also
said 10 have receipted gas and water bills,
taking in payment orders for merchandise,
Jewelry, etc, and not crediting the
amounts on the books of the companies. A
strict investigation of all his affairs will
alone settle positively these charges or
their extent.