The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-30
MooRE's BUSINESS RECORD.
Connected With Several Broken Institu-
lions, and Once Bankrupt.

lions, and Once a Bankrupt.
Moore's business history in indianapolis has
been eventful aud somewhat remarkable. He
came here from Madison, where he was
connected with his fathers bank, and
entered Fletcher & Sharpes bank, and while
there married the daughter of the junior part
ner, Mr.. Thomas A. Sharpe. Then he engaged
in the wholesale grocery business on 5. Me-
ridan-st., the firm being Talbot, Patterson &
Moore. The firm succeeded Alfred Talbot &
Co.. the "Co" being Mr.. Morrison, who
was cashier of the First national
bank at the time of its failure. In this business
Moore continued for six years when the burn
ing of MorrisOn's oper-hOuse and consequent
losses caused the firm 10 60 ont of business.
After this Moore opened up q loan and
brokerage Office over the First national bank,
under the title OF Joseph A. Moore d Brother.
In the meantime in 1873 Joseph 4. Moore had
been appointed financial agent for the Con-
necticut Mutual, the company which he has
now so heavily mulcted. About the time of
starting in the loan business Moore began spec
ulatng heavily In real estate. Among other
things he purchased the old Haugh iron works
on 5. Pennsylvania-st, and while trying TO
build on the old walls the structure collapsed
causing heavy financial loss.
Shortly after branching out so extensively as
real estate speculator, buying blocks and
vacant property all over town, Moores finances
got in a bad way and in 1876, or there
abouts, he went through bankruptcy.
At that time he was understood
to be behind with the Connecticut Mutual but
in some way fixed the matter up and continued
to act as the financial agent of the company
In 1873, when the new interest law went
into effect, the Connecticut Mutual nOminally
withdrew from the state and established its
Office tor the transaction of Indiana business in
Cincinnati and made Moore state agent for Ohio.
He continued to reside here, however, though
he conducted his business from the Cincinnati
office
During his heavy real estate speculations
Moore built the block at 81 and So t. Market
ST., where his bank now stands. When he
went through bankruptcy this property went
with the balance, and it Is only recently that he
repurchased i and reftted and rebuilt
the inside. a story is told of some of his bust
ness methods at that time, which shows that he
has long been engaged, rs President Green
says In lnceniOusly hiding his crooked transac-
tons; While at a wedding in Chi
cago well known lawyer of this
city was asked by New York banker if he
knew Moore. The lawyer said he did, and the
banker told him that three years previously he
had sent Moore mortgage on some Indianap-
oils property TO collect the money; that Moore
had repeatedly written, occasionally sending
small remlttances ana declaring that the
mortgager was paying up as rapidly as posi-
BILE. The lawyer asked on what property the
mortgage rested and was surprised to find that
it was a piece of land which he
lthe lawyer had purchased some years
before. At the time of purchase he
had paid Oft the mortgage. The banker came
to indianapolis and interviewed Moore. Moore
was indignant AZ being accused of crook
edness but finally offered to give his New
York check for the amount of the
mortgage, but the banker refused TO accept it.
Moore made a big bluff and said the banker
could take that or nothing. The latter how
ever, gave Moore just two hours to get the
amount in cash, $4,000, and before that time
expired he was at the bankers lawyers with
the money. and the incident ended.