The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-10-14
STOLE THEIR CROPS.
How WOIcOtt Robbed the Farmers
of WatervilIe in 1850.

WI HI 1881
John b. Quinn, a staunch Democrat, and
who for three years was judge of probate of
Rice county and now resides in Minneapo-
lis, knows this man c. C. Wolcott and he
gives the public some insight into the I'M
incipled character of the man in the fol-
lowing letter which was printed in one of
the daily papers shortly after the ST. Paul
Globe published the wheat gamblers PAM
phlet Says Judge Quinn:
II have read carefully the charges re-
Gently published in the Chicago Herald at
lacking the Hon. c. A Pillsbury and
others, in which it is claimed that Mr.. Pills
bury has been for years, and is the head and
front of a powerful combination engaged in
robbing the farmers of the State of Mime
sofa by establishing the prices of grain.
Now, when a gentleman of the reputation,
business standing and high personal charac-
ter of C. A. Pillsbury is attacked in this
manner, am Ollie of those who believe that
1t is the duty of every honest man, regard
less of party affiliations, to carefully inves-
dgate the same and inquire into the source
of such charges, in order that no injustice
may be done. To convict without inyestira-
ton, to accept as true the statements of IL
responsible individuals, without hearing is
not only unjust, but unwise, unfair and I'M
democratic, and will always operate as a
boomerang ON any party that will attempt
to make use of the same for party purposes.
And as q Democrat [ protest against any
such tactics. l do not know whether there is
NOW, or has ever been combination such as
mentioned, but | do know one G. c. Wolcott
who rs given as the author, of the charges
against G. A. Pillsbury and others, and ii
is stated that he has written a book, claim.
ing to be an exposure of the transactions OF
the Ring so called, and especially aimed
at and rejecting upon the Hon. G.. A. Pills
bury. My acquaintance with this man VOL
colt was during the year 1889. This VOL
colt, among other elevators, operated by
him prior to 1889. controlled and operated
the elevator at Waterville. Mimi; he being
"a large dealer in wheat, gradually won the
confidence Of the fal1ners in the vicinity OF
Waterville and induced them to deliver theil
wheat at his elevator: as q further induce.
follows, viz: To pay them a fixed price in
ANY event, or, should the price advance te
pay the highest market price between the
date of receiving the wheat and a fixed dis
tant date.
WORKED A CONFIDENCE GAME.
This confidence game caught the farmers
and the result was that large quantity OF
wheat was delivered at his elevator on these
conditions Amongst the farmers who de
.liyered their wheat to Wolcott on these
terms was one Murray, whose son was al
the time an employee of WolcOtt at this ele
vatOr. After he had received into his el-
vator n large quantity of wheat on these
terms from the farmers in the vicinity, Vol
>eott, without giving Murray or his son, who
was his enplOye, any notice of same, turned
,over this elevator and contents, including
Murray's wheat, to another concern, ant
skipped to Europe.
when Murray learned of Wolcott's re
from Europe. and being unable to get pa,
for his wheat, he came to Minneapolis an(
placed his claim for about 1880 bushels OF
wheat in the writer's hands for collection
/ sought an interview with Wolcott At on,
first interview he promised to pay the sam,
lin thirty days. as he said he had large
tract of land near Grand Forks, which wa.
in Mitigation that he expected to recover.
again called on him. but he informed me
that he had net succeeded in getting tht
money. but would pay in Il few weeks. ant
I repeated my calls upon him, extending
over a period of six months. The last time
saw him he informed me that he had writ
ten the other similar claimants to send theil
claims to me and he would settle the whole
as he was arran gng for the money. etc.
hut ii never came. Finally be said he was
drawing rental on an elevator somewhere
amounting to 500. and that he would turf
over the list IL Murray would accept the
same in full payment. This was the las
henri from WOlcott.
MURRAY subsequently died and his execu
tors attempted to follow his wheat into the
hands of the purchasers, but the cases were
decided adversely to him.
I'm This and other similar cases coming
within nv knowledge. I found this man G
C. WOlcott to he iii infamous scoundrel an(
wholly unworthy of belief. respect or conf
dcnce and when a man of his STAMP is use(
of C. a. Pillsbury. or any other reputable
citizen. 1T is high ffrne for the people of this
state to pause and reflect before passing
Judgment.
aeHe charges C. A. Piflsburv with beipa
the head and front OF a combination to rof
the farmers nv fixing the price of wheat
This man Wolcott robbed this old man Muir
ray and other farmers of thedr entire CROP