Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-07-03
A QUEER TRADE
In Which a Stranger Claiming to Hail
from Boston Takes Leading Part.

from boston IAkCS a LeaulnR Hart.
\ transaction which took place at the
Cowdrry ~ llaus fish market on Elliot
street early last week has caused no little
comment and discussion about town since
the facts about it became known. II APP
pears that a week ago last Monday night
man appeared at the market when Mr..
COwdrey was there and Mr.. Haus was out
Introducing himself as \. Rich, of the firm
of Rich Brothers, Boston fish dealers, of
whom Cowdrcy ~ llaus buy goods. He
was evidently familiar with the business of
the firm and at once began talking about
complaints which Cowdrey ~ Haus had
made OF the poor quality of fish sent them.
While the conversation was going on Mr..
llaus came in and Mr. Cowdrcy introduced
the stranger As Mr.. Rich OF the firm OF
Rich Brothers and then went home. Cow
drcy had an engagement for the evening
and did not come in again that night. 1t
appears that the stranger spent the evening
at the market talking with IIaus. and that
during the conversation IIaus let it be
known that on account of some minor dis
agreements between him and his partner.
he wished either to sell his interest or buy
Cowdrey's and thus own the whole bust
ness. The stranger fell in with the idea
The next morning he again appeared AT
the market and began to talk with Cowdrey
about going ON to the road for the firm.
showing in this way again his familiarity
with Rich Brothers business-the fact be-
ing that when Cowdrey was in Boston some
time before he had some talk with the firm
about becoming a travelling salesman for
them. When the stranger renewed this
proposition COwdrey answered that he
could not accept ii on account of his own
business. The stranger told him this need
make no difference as he should like To own
an interest in the business and to buy him
out. He told Cowlrey the firm would give
him so a week and expenses, a liberal
offer which Cowdrey was ready to accept.
\ trade for his interest in the business of
Cowdrey n Haus was thcreupon concluded.
and bill of sale for CowdrcyS interest
was drawn up and signed for the consider
alton of 500. While the stranger was
reputed buyer the bill of sale was made to
ii. Z. HauS, the stranger endorsing il "A.
Rich,' and giving COwdrey a draft on
Rich Brothers for 500 in payment. After
wards, in pursuance with an agreement
made between himself and the stranger.
Mr.. Haus gave the alleged Mr.. Rich his
note for 500 and $50 i'm money in pay
ment for COwdrey's half of the business,
the whole concern thus coming into his
hands. The stranger left on the 10 O. clock
train for Boston, urging Cowdrey to 20
down with him and begin his work for the
firm at once. On Monday afternoon or
evening, while in town, he called upon c.
c. Turner, who formerly owned the Elliot
street market, with a draft from VI. f.
Leonard, a Boston fruit dealer whom
Turner was owing an unsettled account,
for SO, payable to ii. p. Haus. This draft
Turner refused to honor, telling the alleged
Rich that he knew nothing about him and
that he proposed to settle Mr.. Leonard's
account in due time and 100 cents on the
dollar, as he had all others.
The draft on Rich Brothers was put in
the Vermont national bank in due course
OF business, and at once came back pro
tested. The telegram sent the firm in re-
gard to il by the bank brought back word
that they knew nothing of the draft, and
asked who was using their name A letter
followed making more particular enquiries.
Last Saturday afternoon c. ii. Thomp-
son and Mr.. COwdrey went to Boston to
make personal investigation but no further
facts of importance were learned The
firm of Rich Brothers now consists of
i"'ii'i anu obils - - anu H. a. lNltu the
brother of the senior partner having re-
Gently died. They knew nothing what
ever of the man who had been using their
name, who was evidently familiar with
their business as well as with that of
Leonard, the fruit dealer. Leonard and
the Rich's were brought together, but
could throw no light upon the affair.
SO far there is no clew whatever as to
who the stranger was, where he came
from or where he got his information. He
did not register while in town, and it is
not known where he stayed. Haus SAYS
that when walking past the Brooks House
with him Tuesday morning erich bowed
to a stranger who was sitting outside re-
marking that he was fruit dealer on At
lantic avenue. This raised a question
whether there may not possibly have been
two crooks engaged in thescheme. Taken
altogether it is difficult to see an adequate
motive on "Rich's" part as all he got out
of the job was the $50 in money which
Mr.. Haus says he paid him.
Up to the present time affairs are rather
mixed between Cowdrey and Haus, Haus
claiming to be the sole owner of the bust
ness by virtue of his bill of sale, while
Cowdrey, who received nothing whatever
for his interest in the business, still claims
an ownership on the ground that the