The Dickinson press., 1891-05-02
WHERE'S OLD HUTCH ?
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.
cold uutch- Missinu

"Old Hutch" Missing
CHICAGO, April 29.-B. p. Hutchinson,
the multi-mlllionaire grain speculator
known nearly the world over as "Old
Hutch" is mysteriously missing. 1t 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 mach of a
man for confdants. How he occupied
his last hours i'll Chicago has not been
discovered except that he paid lengthy
visit to two OF his favorite drinking re-
sorts, and ut each place told the bar
tender in leaving not to expect to see him
again. 1t has been matter of common
rumor on the board that business mis-
fortunes ha1 unbalanced "Old Hutch's"
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 i'll view of their fathers
reported heavy losses following
reckless trades, began to coneider the ap-
pointment of IL conservator to take charge
of his affairs, the old man was furlously
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 sail to have enter
tained for certain members of the board
seemed to settle into systematic hatred
No one but "Old 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 noisel
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 3,OWO0O bushels could be set
tied up without loss to anyone. Whether
any portion of the speculatur's fortune
remained they did not say. The moment
it was definitely known that Hutchinson
had really disappeared from the city, OPP
orators who had deals with him began
calling on his representatives for mar
gins Shortly after, w. j. hutchinson,
youngest son of the missing speculator,
formally ANNOUNCED the fact that
his father was missing and
that neither his family or business asso-
ciates knew the old gentleman's where
abouts. This was coupled with the in
formation that as Il result, the house
could not put up any margins. For n
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 his
liabilities would be $5,000,000in excess of
his assets. On the other hand, w. j..
Hutchinson. while saying, II think faith
er's mind is unbalanced and that he has
wandered away" added: 81 do not be-
lieve he is insolvent. When we can find
how his affairs stand, / am confident
that everything will be paid in full, dol
lar for dollar" According to the best
information that could be gathered from
all sources tonight, the missing specu-
lator is "long" on July and ''short'' on
May wheat in large quantities.
He is also "long" on large line of July
and May corn. These trades, it is SAID,
are being carried by Baldwin & Farnum,
Elmendorff & Waffle, Boyden e. Co.,
George Parker, Rosenbaum Bros. and
Russell Il Barrett, all of whom it is
claimed will loose heavily sho Id 1t
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 one
that."Old Hutch" has simply gone on his
long talked OF vacation, and will pretend
the greatest surprise when he hears that
sensation had been made of his going
away. 1t is asserted he has not taken
but one vacation before in 20 years.
SEEN AT EVANSVILLE.
INDIANAPOLIS, April ga special to-
night from Evansville says: The Chica-
go speculator, b. P. Hutchinson, arrived
in this city this morning at 1915 and left
at 2:O5 this afternoon for the south, over
the Louisville Il Nashville road. He was
recognized by several Chicago people,
who, however, knew nothing of his dis
appearance from Chicago until late this
afternoon. He seemed troubled and
anxious. and wandered up town aimless-
ly until he finally found his way to the
Louisville & Nashville depot. The agent
at the station thinks he bought ticket
for Memphis, but is not certain.