Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-05-01
The Famous Chicago Grain Specula.
tor, b. ,. Hutchinson, has Mys-
teriously Disappeared.
He Bought a Ticket for Florida and
left the City Without Notifying
his Friends.
Some Think his Mind is Damented.
Others that he is Only TAX
ing 4 Vacation.


CHICAGO, April 29.-B. P. H, tchinson
the multi-mlllionaire grain 81 eculator
known nearly the world over as "Old
Hutch is mysteriously missing It is
supposed he is demented and his busi-
ness a financial wreck. Hutchinson,
whose tall, aged, yet erect figure, has
for years been one of the most pictur-
esque sights on the Chicago board of trade
left the city about midnight last night,
taking with him small satcnel and a
ticket to Pensacola, Fla. None of his
friends or relatives appear to have
known he was going. The veteran
operator, however, never was much of a
man for confdants. How he occupied
his last hours in Chicago has not been
discovered except that he paid lengthy
visit to two of his favorite drinking le
sorts, and at each place told the bar.
tender in leaving not to expect to see him
| again. 1t has been a matter of common
rumor on the board that business mis-
fortunes had unbalanced "Old Hutchs''
mind. His always eccentric conduct
seemed increasingly erratic. For weeks
at time his abode day and night has
been his little Office adjoining the ex-
change. When some time ago 1t is said
his sons in view of their fathers
reported heavy losses following
reckless trades, began to consider the ap-
pointment of a conservator to take charge
of his affairs, the old man was fur1ously
angry. More than ever he isolated him
self and on the board appeared to specu-
late for revenge rather than gain. The
dislike which he was said to have enter
tanned for certain members of the board
seemed to settle into systematic hatred.
No one but sold Hutch" himself knew,
or for that matter yet knows, the exact
condition of his finances. 1t was prac-
tically certain, according to all indica-
tions, that he had lost of late heavily and
steadily. This morning when the news
of his queer departure became nolsed
about almost the first question was,
"How much did he leave?' 1t was an
swered by the announcement of his rela-
tives that the missing mans outstanding
trades of 100000 bushels could be set
tied up without loss to anyone. Whether
any portion of the speculator's fortune
remained they did not say. The moment
it was definitely known that Hutchinson
had really disappeared from the city, op-
,&,, ~, Il III
calling on his representatives for mar
gins. Shortly after, W. j. Hutchinson,
youngest son of the missing speculator,
formally announcd the fact that
| his father was missing and
that neither his family or business asso-
ciates knew the old gentlemans where
abouts. This was coupled with the in
formation that as a result, the house
could not put up any margins. For a
time the announcement caused the wild
est excitement on the floor, and the mar
ket sharply declined. 1t was stated that
"Old Hutch was insolvent and that bis
liabilities would be $5,000,000in excess OF
his assets. On the other hand, W. j
Hutchinson. while saying, Il think faith
ers mind is unbalanced and that he has
wandered away" added: 81 do not be-
ieve he is insolvent When we can fine
how his affairs stand, I am confident
that everything will be paid in full, dol
lar for dollar" According to the bes1
information that could be gathered from
all sources tonight, the missing specu
lator is ''long" on July and "short" OF
May wheat in large quantities
He is also 'long" on large line of Jul.
and May corn. These trades, it is said
are being carried by Baldwin & Farnum
Elmendortf & Waffle, Boyden Il Go.
George Parker, Rosenbaum Bros. ant
Russell & Barrett, all of whom it il
claimed will loose heavily should i
prove that Hutchinson is insolvent. Al
most every broker in Chicago has an indi
vidual theory to account for his disap
pearance. Not the least plausible is on
that, t,"Old Hutch" has simply gone on hi
long talked of vacation, and will preten'
the greatest surprise when he hears tha
sensation had been made of his goin
away. It is asserted he has not take
but one vacation before in 20 years.
SEEN AT EVANSVILLE. 4g..
| Il INDIANAPOLIS, April pa special tc
nJl,x~ NJ.