The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-03-26
HUNTERDON COUNTY SHAKEN DY A
HEAVY FAILURE.

village and county have been torn from
centre TO circumference by the failure OF
Fisher Pidcock, one of It's prominent citi-
zens and brother of ex-C Congressman Pid-
cock. The failure involves many other
prominent citizens OF Hunterdon county,
and revives factional fight between the
Large and Pidcock families which has been
wagiug for years. Both families are among
the earliest settlers of this section. The
Larges have owned coal and lumber
business here since the Jersey Central
Railroad first pusheTthrough, and is now
being conducted by Stephen K. Large.
George II. Large ex-State Senator, now
Collector OF Internal Revenue at Newark,
and John K. Large, who is an adjuster Of
claims for the Central Railroad, are his
brothers. The Pidcocks have always been
successful farmers, and in recent years ].
N. Pidcock has been specializing in real
estate and live stock. He has also gone
Into politics and served two terms In Con.
gress from the Fourth District. Both ven
lures have proved successful; In the first
he has amsssed competency, and as a
politician he has secured u reputation Of
which man should feel proud, or tue op-
posite, according TO the elasticity of his
conscience.
The war between the families began
some twenty years ago, when some prop
erty on the outskirts of the village was
thrown on the market. John X. Large,
Sr., and Pidcock both wanted portions OF
the land, aud an agreement was entered
into that neither should bid against the
other at the sale. Pldcock claims that
Large not only broke bis agreement, but
made him pay double tue price for the
property, and there was always after a
feeling OF hatred between them. This
feeling has descended to the children, aud
gradually permeated through the friends
OF both, until 1t has become we'll worn
comment that person living 10 the vicin-
ity cannot succeed at any business unless
allied TO one of the factions.
AS an instance showing the truth OF
this recent occurrence Is related by the
villagers: John Layton Is bartender at
Wooden's hotel, and made an uncompli-
mentary remark concerning Pdcock which,
came to the latter's ear. A war of words
cnsued, and Pidcock finally called up the
proprietor aud informed him that unless
he discharged his bartender his license
would not be renewed at the next term of
court. This episode came to tho know
ledge OF member of the Large family,
who 10 turn informed Landlord Wooden
that II he discharged bis bartender bis Ii.
ccnsc would be in jeopardy
BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER.
Fisher Pidcock married for his second
wife, about five years ago, Miss Anna K.
Large. This marriage SO incensed his
brother that he refused to remain ia surety
upon some $4,000 OF commercial paper
for him or TO have any further business
or social relations with him. As this paper
matured the larger part was secured by
the endorsement OF bis brother 10 law, s.
X. Large.
This transaction was followed by a
transfer on February 25, OF all Pidcock's
real estate as follows: To John K. Large,
farm OF 1873 acres. consideration, SO, 1856
to Stephen X. Large, farm of li5 acre.,
consideration, So, 900; to II. d. Herr,
farm OF | 10 acres, consideration, $3.50
to John T. Cox, one.half interest In q
acres, consideration, $4,000. The tbre.
first named persons are brothers .in-law,
all OF whom have endorsed for him; th.
last transfer Is to secure Sheriff Cox fol
sl,l0o loan and $1,000 worth of endorse
ments. 1t is said that the transfers were
recorded at 10 o'clock at night.
These facts soon leaked out and the
other creditors and endorsers began "a
compare notes, only TO hnd that Their
claims had not been considered in the
transfer at all. This knowledge had var.
ious effects upon the creditors. John d.
Davis, an honest and thrifty village mer.
chant, was sold out by the Sheriff. Mrs.
w. T. Mitchell, from whom Pidcock had
borrowed 5000 without security, has since
attempted to commit suicide. Another OF
his victims 10 Mrs. Mcpherson, poor
woman, who by dint Of long years OF hard
work sewing, had saved up $3.50, which
she loaned to him without security. The
loans were acquired In various amounts
aud under various pretexts, and some OF
his creditors think they have sufficient
ground for criminal proceeding.
spEcULATING IN RIAL ESTATE.
Fisher Pidcock was then merchant at
Lebanon, N. j., but soon after began 10
speculate 10 real estate, and 10 short
time owned three farms and half inter-
est 10 a valuable lot at Lebanon. The
speculaticns, however, failed to psy and
he was compelled to borrow money con-
stantly. This he would do by securing
an cndorsce upon his note, II possible, or
by exchanging his note for anoiher's, and
get the latter discounted at the Clinton
National Bank, of which he was director.
So much confidence was placed In him b y
his neighbors that security was 10 many
cases not asked for.
Matters were brought tn focus Ia this
vice Elisha shower, a wealthy farmer,