Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-09
wHO cor THE ..sUGAR"?
Mystery Ssu shrOuds the rig Flee
trie swindIe-varying tiumOrS,

The refined swindle which has given In,
vestors here and across the pond an electric
shock during the last few days naturally
enough had a setback ss q topic OF converse
ton Yesterday. The congregations OF bust.
ness.men who discussed on Wall streets
curbs the pertinent question as TO "who got
the sugar :" were scattered 10y the quiet Of
SUNDAY, and those directly interested in the
Electric Sugar Refining Company had
withdrawn from the gloom and drlzzle 10
the cosy warmth OF their iiresides. The
Tribune's interview with Mt. Butterield,
one OF the "original promoters opened
wide the ewes OF the public TO some OF the
pecullartties Of the game, and suggested del-
ca{ely how money could be made without
investment II the inventive genius OF a Pro-
lessor Freund be properly utilized.
The strange aspects Of the great fraud
have resulted in several wild theories
stranger still than tho truth. Prominent
among these u the suggestion that Professor
Freund NAV not be dead. The funeral on
that blizzard day, which had been selected
for the last honOrs 10 the " Professor" was
so simpls that an imposition would appear
net entirely impossible. Add the fact that
the cemetery records OF Professor Freund's
burial are said TO be wanting, and the idea
assumese even a semblance Of probability. The
opinion OF one OF Mr.. FTeuOd'sfOrmer friends
and associates, however, Is a plausible one.
81 was not al the funeral" he said, "but
from what | knew Of Freund's condition
and habits / feel certain that be did die.
The burial vas kept quiet and un0Stenta-
tious, sad the records were suppressed
undoubtedly for the purpose OF guarding
against & stampede OF the stockholders,
The sudden and sensational announcement
OF Frennd's death would certainly have
affected toe stock, for the existence OF The
originator aud posSeSsOr OF the process
would bave been considered essential to the
success Of the scheme"
IT NIGHT HAVE LEAEED OUT SOONER.
II was learned Yesterday tina, rs long ago
as three months Il complete exposure OF the
fraud. together with the personal record OF
SIS perpetrators, bad been prepared Tor pub
LEGATION by n person who had once bad faith
IN Freund, but had been converted. The
publication Was on the point OF occurring,
when the author OF the article, as well a.
MIR. Butterdsid, Mr.. Deyo, md Others, re-
esiyed letters OF warnipg from Howe &
Hummel on behalf Of Mr.. CotteulI. The
letters simply informed the recipients that
the lawyers bad been retained 10 proceed
eriminaily IN actions Tor libel against any one
who wouid cause.-the publication OF any article
derogaiory to the Interests OF the refining
company. The notices bad their effect, for
the prospect OF litigation offered more dis.
eomiort thau there would have been fun IN
the exposure.
Mathew Deyo, one Of the original directors,
who Is nearly seventy years old, sun has
faith Ia the "~invenlon." In "a interview,
be said: al believe this scare about the
fraud 4od failure Was gotten up Just 70 scare
ssock holders into selling out at cheap price.
IL IA a bear trick, aud Is intended to make
such people as myself lose their money"
Mt. DECO originally pot Into the schelae 3 ies