Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1888-01-25
For the SmyrHc Times.
A History Of the Whole Affair.

business that through the persistent
abuse and misrepresentation of Mr..
Pierce has become of public interest
and made it necessary for me to make
a full statement in self defence. Mr..
Chas. Prettyman, of Prettyman Bros,
called on me in Milford Monday even
ing, November 28th, to rent the store,
which l refused to do for less than $500.
unless they would buy Mr.. Pierce's
stock, then they could have it for 1915,
my sympathy being with Mr.. Pierce
Quite discussion arose over NV ac-
ton in the matter, in which it was ar
gued that having given up the store
and declared to me and others that he
had determined to quit, if he did not
find purchaser for his stock to sell of |
at auction, it was my business to secure !
a good tenant while l could, and l had |
nothing to do with selling Pierce's |
stock. 1t was discussed with several
persons, all of whom took this view
and decided that was jeopardizing nv
own interest in trying to compel Pret-
lyman Bros. to buy his stock. [ how
ever followed my own counsel and did
not communicate with them until
! Thursday, December 1st, when wrote
giving them the refusal of the store
that night if Mr. Pierce did not close
the negotiations by that tune Il under
standing there was a difference of
per cent. only l thought had waited
long enough. In the mean time nv
brother had met Mr.. Clarence Pretty
man on the train and from him learn
ed they considered they were badly
treated, inasmuCh as | would not rent
them the store unless they took Mr..
Pierce's stock and he would not sell to
them unless he got face value Though
it seems by the letter below that he
would make great sacrifices to sell to
Mr.. Baggsli that they had decided to
come here, and if they could not get
my store that they would get some
other; this opened my eyes, l saw if
, they, with their experience, opened
another store with clean new goods.
J no one would want to buy his old stock
: and start third store, and certainly
5 Mr.. Baggs would not commit so serious
! If not fatal blunder as to take his and
f Pierce'S old stock and double his ex.
? penses to fight them, consequently Mr.
/. Pierce would have to close at auction
/ and my store stand idle. "Wednesday
}. noon, however, | received the follow
e ing letter which assured me that be
o was still negotiating with Prettymar
e Bros, and this mistake might b.
q aVerted:
t SMYRNA, DEL, Nov. 80, 1887.
e Mr., r. ". johnson, Milford DEL,
, DEAR SIR Please aid me all you cal
!, in disposing ofmy stock of goods to Pref
= lyman Bros. Mr.. Baggs is talking of il
but can make more satisfactory arrange
q ments financially with Prettyman Bros,
Is think 2. Bros. will make live firm tha
will keep your store the Shoe Store of tn
If town. ] can make much better busine.
10 deal every way with p. Bros. than wit
- Mr. b. You will probably receive a lettt
D. from Mr.. B. in regard to rent. Please d
le not mention this. If p. Bros should baC
of out and l should sell to Mr. B. it would |
,h at a great sacrifice. l am to have positiy
e. answer from p. Bros this week.
d. Very respt;,
g r. D. PIERCE.
n. Now this looks as if Mr.. PierC
n. wished ne to choke off Mr.. Baggs an
an was right willing to take a hand hin
eft SELF Yet writing on November 30i
no he says not word about renting ii
nj store. That night rumOrs came to I,
lie that Pierce and Primrose had drOppe
nd ?. Bros. and were trying to sell to NJ
he Baggs. l saw again the danger eth
II to Mr.. Baggs or myself as cited abOV
rv and sent the telegram dated Nov. BOT
of hoping the 1915 and the FIVE years lea
he would prove an obstacle to Mr.. Bage
nd The having been named lower flgu
a at one time and turn the deal again
'es the Dover parties, whom I purpose
an mentioned. This telegram brought n
70. the letter (Of which he speaks) fro
to Primrose Thursday, Dec. LIST, after II
he letter had gone to Prettyman Bros, al
as full of triCkery as the career of
he author has been. Jquote, Mr.. Pier
mo- requests me to sag that he lViU take t
III store for another gear, &c." l repli
eet at once: You saying to me that N
civ Pierce says he will take, &C., is no e'
rst dence for me TO hold Mr.. Pierce G
mo This trick failing, on the fOllOwi
the Monday received a letter from N
Pierce, announcing that he and Pri
the rose had fixed the matter up and
,ar. should hold the store for another We
aIl or until he found a purchaser for
can stock and fixtures. Hence the thru
ure of legal ejectment.
68 have tried to be a friend to \
Pierce since he haa been here in eve
chi way / could without actually wrongi
lao. myself, and wish him we'll to-day.
per r. M. JOHNSON