The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-06
SOME OF sULLIvAN's SECRETS:


How BE Worked Over Rejected Butter and
Sold 1t to the Insane Hospital.
In the reading of this article it is we'll to keep
in mind that commission men regard as second
class eggs those that show the least faint or de-
feet They are liable to become useless at any
time, and holders are always anxious to get rid
of them as soon as possible. It is often neces-
sary to put them out below the market value,
and the purchasers are generally those who can
run the risk of using them.
Five years ago David NJ. and James c. Adams
were in the minceme and butter business.
They decided to extend their operations by es-
tablishing a cold storage room. When every
thing was in readiness, they solicited the favor
of John E. Sullivan, Democratic candidate for
county clerk. From him they got for storage
in their rooms 220 barrels of eggs and seventy
three tubs of butter. This was in June. 1881,
and Nov 20 of that year Sullivan brought suit
against the Adamses for S. 900 damages, alleging
that proper care was not taken of the articles
Before the eggs aud butter were sent TO the
Adams Packing Company, as it was styled, Da-
vid NJ. Adams, in answer to Suil1cans question
to that end said he thought he knew how the
business should be conducted. What tempera-
ture now,' asked Sullivan, twill it require to
keep butter and eggs safelyp
about forty five or forty seven degrees"
Nearer forty" replied Sullivan, but, as IL is
represented, after further conversation and
solicitation, the poultry man decided
to give the company hs patronage
Nov. Il. two weeks before fling his complaint
for damages, Sullivan withdrew the last of his
butter and eggs from the care of the company.
In consideration of the fact that he knew little
about the business, of which, it seems Sullivan
was aware, Adams offered to pay him 81 600 for
all damage to the goods. This was determinedly
refused, but after while the butter and eggs
4 80 VI.
ton Adams declined, and the trial began before
Judge Walker. Whenkhe lawyers got through
voluminouS testimony as to the butter and egg
business lay before them. 1t told how eggs were
assorted for storage, immediate sale and de-
| struction. Not q witness, except Sullivan, re-
garded second class eggs, or those showing de-
fects, as fit for anything else but to get rid Of
| them as soon as possible.
Mr.. Sullivan went on the stand and spoke of
| the utter worthlessness of his goods after they
came from the storage room. Sometimes he
was prompt. at others evasive, and at all times
ready to make the evidence most damaging to
the defendants. 1t was cross examination
| that he revealed the secrets of his trade; but,
| when asked what kind of eggs he stored with
| Adams, he sought to go a circuitous route for
| answer, by saying, 1--WE received eggs daily.
| AS fast as our customers got case they shipped
| it to When the question was repeate% he
tried to be more definite, but did not develop the
| point sought after. He explained the Gambling
!
ton, saying that good eggs were
pnt in one box, while the bad
were thrown away. There are three
qualities of eggs" he continued. Those that
are the least specked We do not keep any time
They are usually sold right away. The first class
| eggs are held, while the rotten are thrown
away. The eggs put in the Adams storage
house were frst-cass except thirty-five barrels,
or somewhere in that neighborhood, of seconds.
stored the latter as did the others. We don't
| GO much on seconds"
After the eggs. in this manner, had been stored
in the months of June July, August and Sep
TENDER. the witness said he took out the first few
| barrels on Aug. IL. 'Out of some barrels he
went on, Il got Eve dozen good eggs, and the
| rest had TO throw away"
| In the FIRST part of his testimony Sullivan said
each barrel contained seventy dozen eggs but al
| this point he reduced the dozens to sixty FIVE.
He claimed he did not get barrel Of sound eggs
| out of the lot.
"How many merchantable eggs did you take
| ont of the Adams packing housed" asked Mr..
| Sheppard one of the attorneys for defendant
! Il don't know" replied Sullivan. 1t was