St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-22
GROWS INTERESTING.
Facts and Rumors of the Elevator
Affair


The principal feature yesterday of
the Union elevator wheat steal was the
indignation of members Of the chamber
of commerce over reports that four or
five commission men were implicated
or would be-in the job. A prominent
official, connected with the prosecution,
had said: 1.-The men arrested are merely
the small fry. The big ones will come
hereafter, and four or five prominent
commission men are involved. This
has probably given rise to the report
over which the chamber of commerce
men are indignant. The Nook failure
is as much of mystery as ever, and.
though the Union elevator men are as
eager as ever to deny any con-
nection with it, it is well
enough known that one OF
the largest stockholders in the elevator
compelled the assignment. There was
a great deal of talk during the day or
the statement that the elevator had been
ahead about 10000 bushels of wheat,
the inference being that the shortage to
that amount had been on the farmers
side as the result of the present weigh
ing system. 1t is said the steal
ing bears directly on this point.
there was no intention of robbing the
elevator, and it was the shipper or
Storer who was to suffer. The wheat was
distracted from the elevator, and the
idea was to replace it when the new
crop came in; but as much OF the new
crop already received is badly ShrlVeled,
it could not be used to replace that
taken, and a sudden demand for the
wheat in store showed up the shortage.
AS TO how the actual discovery was
made. the Northwestern Miller says:
The Union company in closing upits years
business about two weeks ago. found itself
short $4,000 bushels of wheat: Bringing
pressure to beaa on Mason, the foreman, he
confessed to cOnniving at stealings on large
scale, ana implicated Harley and members or
a prominent commission firm i'll the pecula-
tons.
Another important matter in connec-
ton with the affair is the report, which
has gained wide credence, that an
effort is being made to hush it up, from
political reasons. The weighing and
inspecting system are not in good
Odor with the farmers, and these rev.
Citations will not tend to improve
the feeling, by any means. The
GLOBE has already called attention to
irregularities which might easily arise
under the system, which Irregularities
have always attached to the control of
the Republican wheat ring of Minneap-
oils. The deep secrecy prevailing IS
also suspicious, and those in charge Of
the affair seem to have some mysterious
reasons for knowing absolutely nothing.
ANOTHER LINK IN THE CHAIN.
Circumstances which point to the fact
that a number of parties implicated in
the stealing are given the alternative of
diSgOrging or being prosecuted are con-
tinually cropping out. Harry 5. Hol-
comb was foreman at the elevator
last January, when he was sue
ceeded by Mason, who is now under
arrest. HolcOmb went into the salo0on
business, fitting up the barrOOm at the
Windsor hotel. The fixtures were mort
gagged to j. c. Oswald for $3.50. from
whom the stock was purchased. YeSter-
day HOlcOmb gave a second mortgage
on the place for 50, $50, in favor of Fred
e. Pillsbury,as security for promissory
note for that amount. The mortgage
was dated the 18th, executed before
Samuel Hill as notary, with A. b. Jack
son as witness, both of whom are at
tOrneys for the elevator company. The
mortgage was put on record yesterday.
HolcOmb, it is believed, has left the
city. His place was closed yesterday;
at least muscular representative OF }.
G. Oswald was in possession. In the af-
ternoon w. Ii. DOnahue arrived with all
attachment sworn out by George Benz,
and attempted to levy on the place, but
could not secure admission.