The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1892-02-20
OFFICIAL PAPER OF MCLEAN co.
THE N O'NEAL.

On Saturday last, before Judge Win
chester at Bismarck, the stockholders of
the Abner O'Neal did some laundry work
so to speak. The facts as set forth in a
series of affidavits that were read before
the Judge we're about as fOllows:-The
Missouri River Transportation company
was organized to purchase the steamer
Abner O'Neal. The sum of $4,000 was
paid in, the steamer was bought and some
money was left for repairs and working
expenses. The original stockholders con-
sisted of j. M. Turner. H. R. Lyon, H.. S.
Harkin, j. s. Green, Ira w. Bellows, Miss
Bellows, Capt. Talbot, AID Mr.. Brandt,
when the boat was acquired by the new
corporation, acted as clerk, and owned
$4,000 worth of stock. Last season there
was some difference of opinion between
the Mandan stockholders ON the one side,
and Capt. Talbot on the other, as to what
sort of business it was best for the boat to
engage in. The Mandan stockholders
wanted it to engage in the business of haul
ing grain for the Mandan Roller Mill Com
pany, while Capt. Talbot wanted to engage
in the passenger excursion business at
Sioux City. MI. Turner was president of
the company, and Mr.. Lyon secretary and
treasurer. A majority OF the stockholders,
acting through 4 board of directors, Or
dered Capt. Talbot to bring the boat up
from Sioux City, but he refused to do so,
and to get it up here, MI. Lyon had to 20
to Sioux City and bounce Talbot from the
Oaptaincy. At the same time, the stock
of Capt. Talbot was acquired by the Man
dan stockholders, by purchase at a price
satisfactory to the Captain.
Then the boat was owned by the Man
dan stockholders and Mr.. Brant, or Mrs.
Brant, who bought Mr.. Brant's stock.
Now she m into court, and through
her attorney, Judge Francis, tells a tale of
woe. She claims that the boat has been
mismanaxed by the majority of the stock
holders; that it has been run in the inter
est of the Mandan Roller Mill, and H. r.
Lyon and j. NJ. Turner personally; that
they have taken government contracts
and have charged up the losses they sus-
tanned on them to the boat; that the boat
lost several thousand dollars last season
through the mismanagemint of the Man.
dan parties; that it is now in the ice at
Du;rkoI W>ol, o,,l -, soo;oVk xJor~,r
of being crushed in the ice; that unless a
receiver is appointed to take charge of it,
the stockholders are in danger of losing
all the assests Of the company. and SO forth.
The Mandan stockholders we're all over
in court in force. The entire stock of the
boat was represented, the only stakeholder
not being present in person being Miss
Bellows, aud her brother had full authority
to act for her. Mr.. f. c. Rice appeared for
the Mandan parties, and although he was
suffering from the grip, he presented aft
davits and facts that put a different con-
struction on the whole affair. He claimed
that the reason tho boat had lost money
last year was through the Encouragement
of Capt. Talbot, while he had change of the
boat; that he persisted in staying at Sioux
City, running an excursion business at a
losS to the boat, to excursion grounds in
whesh he personally had an interest; that
every trip the boat made for the Mandan
Roller Mill it made at a profit; that there
is two months business awaiting the boat
when navigation opens up, and that while
running it will be able to clear a profit of
$3.50 a day; that the statements as to mis-
management of the Mandan parties is all
false; that Capt. Talbot is not fit to be
believed under oath; that the boat is not
in danger at Painted Woods; that no re-
ceiyer who can be appointed can look
after the boat and its business as we'll as
the owners of the majority of the stock,
who are the most interested; that this &C.
ton is brought in the interest of another
line OF steamers, for the purpose of tying
up the boat in litigation, so that the pro-
prietors canno bid on certain govern
ment contracts which will be let next
month; that all the Indebtedness of the
company can be cleared of by next
seasons work if it's management is not
molested by legal proceedings, and much
more to the same effect. All the papers
setting forth these facts and statements
were left with the Judge who promised to
render a speedy decision. Judge Francis
stated that in the event of decision being
against his client he would appeal the case
to the Supreme court, but Mr.. Rice said
that did not bother him, as it was time
enough to cross a stream when it was
reached.
Col. R. s. Tyler has been appointed
Worlds fair manager for North Dakota in
place of Alexander Mckenzie, who has not
accepted the position rendered him. Mr..
Tyler has large interests in the Northwest
and tho position is mi which will enable
him to present North Dakota's advantages
60 as to astouish the world.
At Lebanon, Mo, Wills Howard, the nc
torious Kentucky desperado, who killed
thirteen men in the famous Howard-Turn-
or feud of two years ago, has been con-
Of murder aud will hang.