Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-05-07
noLp HurcHn Bonrs.

Speouiator--His Liabilities Estimated
mt From S2,O00,O00 10 $4,000, OOO--
Unable to Respond to tho Call for
Margins.
CHICAGO, April GA break in the prices
of grain on the Board Of Trade this morn
Ing was caused by rumors that B. 2.
Hutchinson, the veteran Spectator, was
N financial trouble. No facts in evidence
were given by those who talked of the
matter, though 1t was common report that
he had lately lost heavily in both wheat
and corn, both on the recent heavy adj
vance and the subsequent break in prices.
Mr.. Hutchinson was not to be found on
the floor Of the exchange, and nothing
could be learned as to the real situation in
his affairs. His son Charles, president Of
the Corn Exchange National Bank, who is
better acquainted with his fathers affairs
than anyone else, was not accessible The
early furry in the market soon died away,
but later rllmors were spread to the effect
that Mr.. hutchinson was mysteriously
missing.
Inquiry of vice-president Havll Of the
Corn Exchange National Bank, brought a
confirmation Of the rumor. He said that
none of Mr.. Hutchinson's family had seen
him since yesterday afternoon, when the
board closed. His people were, of course,
very anxious in regard to him.
The supposition among Mr.. Hutchin-
sons friends is that he has wandered away
IN q fit of temporary mental dependency
The actual condition of MIR. Hutchinson's
affairs is not known, though 1t is under
stood that nearly all of his trades on the
board have been closed out, and private
dispatch from Milwaukee says that all of
his deals there have been closed. What
ever may be his financial condition. it is
not believed that any one will lose any
thing through him, as his family, il is
confidently expected, will see them paid il
necessary.
Conservative opinion ON the board how
ever, inclines to the opinion that this will
not be necessary. Certain it is that all of
Mr.. Hutchinson's checks have gone
through the clearing house so far without
question.
Present interest, however, centers in the
whereabouts ofthe board of trade king, who
for years ruled the market here. putting
prices up and down at will by the sheer
Force of millions which he was able to back
his opinions. His sudden and mysterious
disappearance recalls the fate of the late
millionaire, b. H. Campbell, who disap-
peared last December and whose body was
found in the river many weeks afterwards.
The last seen of Mr. Hutchinson was ut
about o'clock last evening, lie was in u
drinking place with friend and remarked
to him as he left the place '1'his is the
last time you will ever see me alive The
remark was dismissed as a Joke at the
time
Said Il gentleman tonight, who is near
relative Of Mr.. IIutchison eve have seen
for some time that his mind was affected,
and we have been considering whether it
would not be best to take some measures
of restraint.
"As regards the trades made by him we
have made careful inquiries. They are
few in number, and are being settled now,
and there are ample funds to meet all of
his liabilities
Mr.. Hutchinson was seen last night at the
Lake Shore & Rock Island depot with a
bag in his hand and the supposition is
that he left the city on train on one of
those roads.
According to the best information that
could be gathered from all sources tonight
the missing speculatof is "longn on July
and short on May wheat in large guam
titles He Is also long large line Of
July and May corn. These trades, it is
said, are being carried by Baldwin & Far
mum, Elmendorf & Waite, Boyden d Co.
George G.. Parker Rosenbaum Bros. and
Russell a Darrell, all of whom, it is
claimed will lose heavily, should it prove
that Mr.. Hutchinson is insolvent.
Almost every broker in Chicago has an
individual theory to account for the dis
appearance. Not the least plausible Is
one that odd Hutch" has simply gone on
his long-talked-of vacation, and will pre-
tend the greatest surprise and resentment
when he hears that sensation had been
made of his going away. 1t is asserted
that he has not taken but one vacation
before in 20 years.
CHICAGO, April 30.--The b. P. Hutchin-
son incident so far as its effect on values
is concerned, has disappeared from the
board of trade as suddenly US did that err
ratio individual himself
Before the opening of trade this morn
ing official announcement was publicly
made TO the assembled operators that all
OF Mr.. Hutchinson's open trades would be
assumed by Q. B. Congdon h Company.
This prompt action on the part of Mr..
Hutchinson's family and friends at once
eliminated all speculation as to the aged
traders wanderlngs and his probably fate
or future course as to his open deals and
put decisive quietus upon some little
cliques of Spectators who were preparing
to depress prices in wheat and corn at the
opening, so that everything opened firm
and rather steady.
Frank Maginn, one of Mr. Hutchlnson's
confidential and most trusted brokers, said
to an Associated Press reporter this morn
ing that allowing for the margins already
mp, Mr.. Hutchinson's trades ON the floor
showed more profits than losses; in other
words, that his open deals when settled
would leave him part of the margins
already up.
THE only thing necessary added Mr..
Maginn, lis somebody to look after his
debts as they mature and close them up.
They will take care of themselves"
EVANSVILLE, IND, May lib. P.
Hutchinson, the Chicago board of trade
operator, Familiarity known as "Old
Hutch" was taken into custody here to-
day by the chief of police, who at once
notified the old mans family, and asked
instructions. The old man was walking
aimlessly about the streets when ar
rested, and appears to be somewhat un-
balanced in his mind. He passed through
here on Wednesday morning, went a
little further south, and returned this
morning. He had sold his ticket to
Pensacola, He says he is feeling quite
comfortable. He was not strictly sober,
but was not so far from it that he did
not thoroughly understand what he was
about.
A merchant here who knew him and
saw him passing along the street sent
clerk over to bring him in, but he said,
mo, can't go in any board Of trade"
Hesays he left Chicago to prevent being
put in an insane asylum.
He adds that during the past three
months he has lost upward of 50 100000,
but that he now has deals on in Chicago |
which, if properly manipulated, will |
make him half million profit.
TERRE HAUTE, IND, May 2.-Mr. B. |
p. Hutchinson, the well known grain |
Spectator, arrived here late last night |
from Evansville and refused to go |
farther north, although he had ticket |
to Chicago. He put up at hotel here. |