The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-10-13
STOLE THEIR CROPS.
HOW WOlcott Robbed the Farmer.
of Waterville in 1850.

How WOlcott Robbed the Farmer.
of Waterville in 1880.
John 3. Quinn, a staunch Democrat, and
VINO 1or three years was judge of probate of
itlce county and now resides in Minneapo-
lis, knows this man G. C. Wolcott, and he
gives the public some insight into the nm
pr1nclpled 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 charces 70.
Gently published in the Chicago Herald at-
lacking the Hon. G. A. Pillsbury and
others, In which it Is claimed that Mr.. Pills
Dury mas been for years, and is the head and
front OF powerful combination engaged in
roODlng the farmers of the State of Minne-
sofa by establishing the prices of grain.
NOW, when gentleman of the reputation.
business standing and high personal charac-
ter or q. A. Pillsbury is attacked in this
manner, l am one Of those who believe that
1t Is the duty of every honest man, regard
less OF party affiliations, to carefully inves-
tlgate the same and inquire into the source
of such charges, in order that no Injustice
may be done. To convict without inyestiea-
tlon, 10 accept as true the statements Of IT.
responsible individuals, without a hearing. is
no. only unjust, but unwise, unfair and I'M
boomerang on any party that will attempt
to make use of the same for party purposes.
ana as Democrat l protest against any
sucn tactics. do not know whether there is
now. or mas ever been a combination such ma
mentioned, but do know one c. G. Wolcott.
who Is given as the author of the charges
against G; A. lilisbury and others, and it
is is s{ T" 10 that he has written claim
the 'ltlng,' so called, and especially aimed
at ana rejecting upon the Hon. G. A. Pills
o oo.i MY acquaintance with this man VOL
colt, among other elevators, operated bv
him prior to 1889, controlled and oncratc9
the elevator at Waterville. Mimi; he being
u laLGe dealer IN wheat, gradually won the
CONFIDENCE OF the farmers in the vicinity of
Waterville and induced them to deliver their
wheat at his elevator; as q further induce
1 ne accepted their wheat on terms as
any event. or, should the price advance. to
pay the highest market price between tho
date OF receiving the wheat and fixed dis
WORKED A CONFIDENCE GAME
This confidence game caught the farmers.
ana the result was that a large quantity OF
wheat was delivered at his elevator on those
conditions Amongst the farmers who de-
t to their wheat to Wolcott on these
the time nm employe of Wolcott Mt this ele-
vatOr. After he had received into his elt.-
te af"s Large quantity of wheat these
colt, without giving Murray or his son, who
was his employee, any notice Of same. turned
oyer this elevator and contents, including
Murray's wheat. to another concern, and
"When Murray learned Of Wolcott's re-
from Europe, and being unable to get pay
Tor his wheat, he came to Minneapolis and
placed his claim for about 800 bushels of
wheat In the writer's hands for collection.
I sought an interview with Wolcott. At orr
first interview he promised to pay the same
In thirty days, as he said he had a large
tract OF land near Grand Forks, which was
again called on him, but he Informed me
that he had not succeeded in getting the
money, but would pay in q few weeks, and
l repeated my calls upon him, extending
I saw him he informed me that he had writ
ten the other similar claimants to send their
claims to me and he would settle the whole,
6st ne wss 1 for the he
drawing rental on an elevator somewhere.
amounting to 800. and that he would turn
over the list II Murray would accept the
same IN frod fu payment This was the last
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.
within my knowledge. found this man q
C. Wolcott to he an infamous scoundrel and
wholly unworthy Of belief, respect or conf
dence, and when a man Of his stamp is used
Of G. A.: Pillsbury, or any other reputable
citizen, it Is high time for the people of this
state to pause and reflect before passing
judgment.
"He charges G.. A. Pillsburv with ho,no
the head and front Of a combination to rob
the farmers by fixing the price Of wheat.
This man Wolcott robbed this old man Muir.
ray and other farmers Of their entire crop. :"