The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-15
HARRIS BROTHERS ASSIGN.
The VOL Known Helena Ciothlny House
Compelled 10 Cloac the Doors.

The W0i1 kMOwA II0tcNM CtOthlnx House
Compelled 10 Cioac the Doors.
The public wal both surprised and
grieyed whom about noon yesterday y be-
came known that the ~well-knowa Arm OF
Harris Brothers, olothiers and RentloIncn'a
furnishers, on North Main street, had made
MI assignment 10 Alderman Moses Morris
for the benefit Of their creditors. with LA
bilities estimated 1T 10000. The firm,
which was until recently on South Main
street, was Hathsheha Harris, mother ct,
tho Hurts brothers, Benjamin and Meya.s.
~ WINS then known as Is. harris. hecentiyv
the Harris brothers rented tho building ll9
and 121 North Main street, fitted " up IN
fine style and stocked " we'll with goods.
They also added Il shirt manufacturing de-
pArttnent, employing q number OF skilled
working women. Though IL was intended
that the business in the new house ahonld
be run hy tho boys in their own name, AZ
was never transferred from the name OF
Bathsheha Harris, M the brothers meant
to do. Failure TO realize rapidly enough
on the stock and pressure from creditors,
principally in New York, caused the as
signment.
The deed Of assignment to Moses Morris
BY Rathsheba Harris,. MS filed with tho
county recorded yesterday, names the toi-
lowing preferred creditors.
Annie harris $500 W w
James, A. Murray tnote)) ~. .......... 900 %
Livsrisht, aree,nwsaid \ Go............. 2,I.s y
Alfiel BENJAMIN y Co. All So
Montana National Bank (notasl ....... 1900 %
Total. $as. 56i co
After tho payment in full Of all the debts
named the assignee 10 to apply the balance
OF the net proceeds remaining toward the
payment OF all the remaining creditors
rAtablY and in lroportion TO their claims
and without distinction or preference. The
assignee is within ten days to make a COM
plete statement of tho debts exclusive of
those named in the assignment.
Ben Harris, the head Of the concern,
after handing over his keys to the assignee,
went home and to bed, feeling very unwell.
He declined to make any statement Of the
ever, told all he could at this stage Of the
proceedings. He said the liabilities might
reach $685. 600, but he thought the stock on
hand and the book ccounts would bring
the assets fully w to the same sum. In the
absence Of any full examination Of the
What the next step would be he could not
say, but thought the bank and other credit
ors in this vicinity would be willing to have
the assignee open the store and sell of the
stock. Ii the eastern creditors showed the
same disposition he thought he could make
every poAuy u61A, dAN az CAO OoSU3uAAAk pSD
sible for MI concerned. II that course
should be decided on he would go to work
at once taking stock, and might be able to
the store on Saturday. The shirt fac
tory, he understood, was paying its W
way, and there was q large stock Of mate
rial there which could only be realized On
to advantage by continuing the work. The
cause of the suspension was dull business
said the assignee, Fan consequent inability
to realize quickly enough to meet incoming
accounts. Further accommodation by the
bank might have delayed the thing but it
would not have done more. Under the cir
it was thought best to make an
assignment"
Harris Bros. made the bulk of their pur-
chases in New York, where their heaviest
are, three of whom are mentioned
in the assignment. The other creditors
not mentioned are mainly in New York.
Bros. formerly had a house in
Spokane Falls and others in Butte and
Great Falls. The Spokane house was
out. causing a loss to the firm of
about 50, 900 over and above the insurance..
The same amount was sunk in the Butte
branch before it was discontinued and the
stock moved to Helena. The Great Falls
made both ends meet, though not
paying any great profit.
Many friends of the firm hope that it will
ba only a matter of time when they will re-
sumo business in this city. Both members
are very popular. Their store was one of
the largest and finest clothing houses in
Montana, ana was a credit to the city.