Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-07
HAMPTON UPSET.
The Disappearance of Trusted Con-
tractor.


tractor.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispa;ch.l
HAMPTON, Va, June 4, 1889.
There has been considerable excitement
here since Friday night last, caused by the
disappearance OF Mr. Charles II. Fernald,
popular contractor. jus. aitet or during
The war the parents Of Mr.. Fernald, who
were originally from Maiden, Mass, took up
their residence at Chesapeake City aud re-
NAMED there UP to some five or six years
ago. when the whole family removed TO
Maiden. The son was exceedingly popular
and highly esteemed here, and his change OF
residence was regretted by Il host OF friends.
Aboutthre years aeo be married in Maiden.
Inst before last Christmas he returned here on
a visit. and IL was stated that il work could be
obtained he would remain here. lie decided
TO remain, and in a short time bis vile JOIN
ed hIm, Bids being called for for the erec-
ton OF certain Government buildings 81
Fortress Monroe he entered the contracting
arena, and being the lowest bidder had the
contract awarded 10 HIM. the amount IN,
VOWED being about 3lS, 900. As he enioyod
the confidence OF the community he eGpe-
rienccd no difficulty in procuring bondsmen,
and ne entered vigorously upon his work.
All went on smoothly, except that some
COMPLAINT was being made on account OF his
alleged neglect OF his work, until Tuesday
last, on which day, having advanced his
work 10 a certain stage, at which be was 10
receive large payment, and had promised
10 nav the numerous sub.cOntractors wDaI
was due them, he was paid the money
some s6.50O-but did not pay one cent OF
il To the men mentioned, and on wednesday
morning left on the Baltimore steamer Tor
Norfolk en- route 10 Richmond for material,
as was sisted. Friday arrived and he was
still absent, and on that dav his wife received
telegram calling her TO the sick bedside OF
her mother. She packed up and departed
bV the first steamer Then 3 feeling OF I'M
e9sIness took possession Of the suo-con-
tractors and bondsmen, who bad con-
siderable at stake. On Saturday morn,
Ing one Of the sub-centractors hau
all OF Fernald's furniture, &c, Attached
I'D 70 this date the young man has laileu 10
return, and nothing can be learned Is 10 us
whereabouts. Many believe that ne has gone
TO the far West and will never return, while
others cannot believe that he would be guilty
Of such Tascallty, and that while crcum-
stances seem against him he will yet return
and set matters rio hit as far as he may be able.
The blow falls very heavily on the sub-con-
tractors. nearly all 'Oi whom are poor
men. who lose from $500 to $1,000
each. the aggregate being about $4,000.
Ills bondsmen have been notified that
they will he held 10 performance OF
the contract, aud at meeting held yes
lerday Mr.. &. Il. Holtzclaw was emploTed 10
superintend tho job. Only about one hall OF
the contract price has been paid, and II Is
not thought that the bondsmen Will lose any,
thing in that direction.
This matter has rot been reported oy me
before on account OF the confidence ielt I'D
return and satisfactorily explain his actions
and absence. Now give the cold facts 10
the case, nothing more. 1t has been learned
that one OF the checks by which he was PAID
0or s., OOO) was cashed in Norfolk. PAUL.