The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-05
WHERE Is FERGUSON?
A RAILROAD CONTRACTOR WHO Is
WANTED IN soMERvILLE.
A Chancery Bill Which Makes Grave
Charges Against Construction Firm
to Which Was Let Section OF the
Tennessee Midland.

II doesn't often occur, but instances are
on record, where whole town, or at least
goodly number OF its citizens, have been
duped or beaten out OF their money Such
is the status of affairs in the town of Som
erville, reported by an attorney en-
gagged in the case. The facts, which are
set forth at length in bill OF COM
plant filed a few days ago in the chancery
court OF Fayette comfy are recited by VIM.
Faris, Chas. Gates, VIM. Ketcham and q
dozenor more Others all merchants, against
VIM. Ferguson & Co. The company, it is
alleged, is composed OF William, +. M.
and Oliver Ferguson, who are railroad con-
struction contractors. As such they had
contract to build nine miles OF the Tennes-
see Midland road through Fayette county,
Of which the Virginia Railway Construc-
ton company is the original contractor, and
sublet this portion Of the road to Ferguson
& Co. Ferguson & Co. sublet two
miles OF their contract TO S. f.
Ferguson, who is son OF Oliver
Ferguson, and brother OF William and f.
M. S. +. Ferguson went TO work on his
portion of the contract, and IL was pro-
crossing to completion, though in the
meantime he had purchased heavily on
credit from the complainants such supplies
as were necessary for his laborers. When
the work was being done Ferguson prom
jsed his creditors that as soon as he was
paid for his work he would settle all in
debtedness, fact that they did not ques.
ton, and he got whatever supplies he
uoptal Tho faaf ic tho onctrttsiiap
company was paying him as the work pro-
crossed, or rather Ferguson 4 Co., and
when the work was completed he had re-
ceived the amount due.
$. +. Ferguson skipped out and left all
OF his creditors in the lurch; the amount
set forth in the present bill is $037. But
il is claimed that there are others who are
not Joined in this bill, and that the
amounts due them will aggregate more
than that above set forth. The sums, rs
stated, range from $3.50 down TO 81 80, all
OF them for supplies furnished.
The bill then attacks the integrity OF
Vim. Ferguson & Co., but more especially
that OF s. +. Ferguson as contractor. IL
states that the Fergusons have no settled
habitation, but are professional railroad
contractors, making such contracts
wherever they can; that the sub
letting OF portion OF the contract
was but sham and device, whereby
innocent parties could be delrauded
out OF their money. In other
words, that in one place $. +. Ferguson
will appear as the chief member OF the
firm, and one Of the other brothers or
both oi them will he sub-lessees, etc, but
they have everything in common, and
whatever fraud Is perpeirated all OF them
are the beneiciares Of it. 5. +. Fergu-
son, they allege, has been reported 10
them as dead; three different reports oi
his death have been made mt three differ
ent times, and that he died Of three differ.
ent diseases. This they do not believe,
for they have assurances that he Is still
living. Another fact which the score oI
compliments have just learned, IL that $.
f. Ferguson, before coming to Fayette
county, had similar contract in Stewart
county, this State, and lac dccamped from
!, there largely in arrears 10 his creditors.
The bill concludes by n recital II the
facts, that s. +. Ferguson Is n fraud, ana
that he il aided and allotted by VIM. Fer
guson 4 Co. Of whom he is TO all intent.
and purposes member, and asks for d
writ 81 garniahmcnt against the Tennessc,
Midland Railway company and Virgins
Railway Construction company.