Connecticut western news., 1891-03-04

GowANDA, N Y. Feb 26 A litiga- tion involving $28. 900, in which N. M Allen & Son of Dayton will appear as the defendants, has either been com menced or Is in an advanced state of preparation. The case grows out of a deal with Col Forbes Munson, who dis appeared from th1s place very suddenly two weeks ago, leaving debts and obli- gations which have caused no end of surprise, some of the most cautious money lenders, including Hi Henry, the minstrel man. having been caught.
 Some twelve years ago Forbes Mun- son appeared in Gowanda and became an employee of Se:lew & Popple, a foundry firm and after being there a year or two blossomed out as 8 man of wealth. Every three months he had a draft for $1. 500 cashed at the local bank, and his maintenance of a nina ture geological garden and other lavish expenditures soon extended his reputa tion beyond the limits of the village and gave him the reputation of possessing great wealth.
 Two weeks ago Cashier Bard of the Gowanda Bank called in Martin Wood in, conservative money lender, to set tie a note for $500, which he had en- dorsed for Munson, when it was discov- cred that through the series of renewals which the paper had undergone it had been raised from $500 to B, 800 Wood in went to Munscn's house with his law yer. Munson admitted the irregularity aud made oyer to Woodin a piece of property in the village to sucure the pay ment of the note. The story of this transaction started an investigation, and the next day claims enough had ap peared to wipe out all of Munson's property here, including his stables, for which he paid $8.OOO On Sunday Munson disappeared, and although sev- eral dates have been fixed for his return he comes not.
 Since the exposure and disappearance of Munson 1t has been ascertained that he has during the past five years been nursing business acquaintance with Ex-State Senator Norman NJ. Allen of Dayton and that this acquaintance has resulted in $2S.OOO profit to Munson and a corresponding loss to Allen, un- less he Is successful in defending all action to recover that amount, which will be brought by Hi Henry. The facts in the case, which are not disputed
 
 For some years Munson has persi t. ently urged money upon Henry. taking his notes and treating him with the greatest of consideration All this time he was writing to Henry, telling him of the danger in leaving his depoa- its in the Gowanda Bank. And finally inducing him to transfer his account to the bank of N. M. Allen & Son at Day ton, assuring him that he should be paid interest on his deposits, which was done, although the bank was not allow ing interest for the use of money Munson transacted the business, taking Henry's money to Dayton, distance of four miles, and mingling it with his own ac count, explaining to Mir. Allen that al though this was kind of side issue be. tween himself and Henry, he would lik.. in the shape of cashier s checks, which Munson and by him endorsed over to Henry. Thls account at the Dayton Bank was drawn against by Munson az his own, and when he came to settle with Mir. Allen he mentioned incident ally that he had neglected to bring up rhnse memorandums but that he worlh send them up, which of course he iall-d to do. MT. Allen supposed tha, the trans ,ction was closed until the dis appearance of Munson and the demand of Henry for the $28.O 900 represented b> the cashiers checks. Mir Allan has re- tained Judge William H. Henderson of Randolph. and Mir Henry is represent ed by l.. R. Leonard of Gowanda and l F. D. Locke of Buffalo.
 The Jamestown, ~. Y.) Journal of Feb. II, 1891 published the following dispatch in regard to Forbes Munson: 1 GowANDA, Feb. II. Special This community is considerably agitated over the departure of Col Forbes Nun son. He came here about fifteen years ago and after time he married widow named Langson by whom he has one child He is about sixty years of age and eccentric in the extreme, but as he had great deal of money to spend and was good citizen no one took mucl, note of his peculiarities At one time he had a large collection of animals, and the exteriors of the mepagerie building~ were covered with pictures of animals in colors Last year he built two i'm mense barns separated by only narrow l driveway. Three hundred dollars was paid by him to a painter for pictures on the inside walls, while some of tn. windows were of cathedral glass, an the buildings throughout Were of the. most expensive description.
 To many of onr citizeDs he has in years past loaned large sums of money
 Hi Henry of minstrel fame, says tll.r Col Munsnn at one time showed him securities worth $lOOOOO But it i> known that for some time past he has cen a borrower and his departure Sun- day causes no end of speculation, al- though it is said he promised friend to return this week with funds enough to s. tile all accounts.
 l Ever since he came here Col Munson has been mystery which the village gossips could not solve. He has kept his own counsel No oHe could learn whither he came, the sources of his in come or, ,in fact, anything concerning hlm | except his movements since his arrival here But, on the other hand, he was well informed concerning the affairs Of others, appearing to have special fac ulty for drawing information from any one "ith whom he conversed. His ab- sence is the talk of the town and opin- ion is c ,nsiderably divided as to whether or not he will return. The friends t.. whom he owes money are wealthy men and will say little about the affair, many saying that he will return.
 "My husband IS the salt of the earth, " said grocer's wife. "Yes. I know he is, for he 'salted' me the other day when he sold me some soap and told me it was as good and economical as Brus-