The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-10-13
STOLE THEIR CROPS.
no" "OlcOtt Robbed the Farmers
of Waterville i'm 1880.


of Waterville I'm 1880.
John B. Quinn, staunch Democrat, and
VINO Tor three years was judge of probate of
Rice county and now resides in Minneapo-
lis, knows this man &C. Wolcott and he
gives the public some insight into the un
principled 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:
Il 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.
Dury has been for years, and is the head and
front or a powerful combination engaged in
robbing the farmers of the State of Minne
sofa by establishing the prices of grain.
Now, when a gentleman of the reputation.
business standing and high personal charac-
ter OF q. A. Pillsbury is attacked in this
manner, an one of those who believe that
II Is the duty of every honest man, regard
less OF party affiliations, to carefully inyes-
tlgate the same and inquire into the source
OF such charges, in order that no Injustice
may be done. To convict without investiea-
tloh' to accept as true the statements of ir-
Responsible individuals, without Il hearing is
not only unjust, but unwise, unfair and un
democratic. and will always operate as a
boomerang on any party that will attempt
a. an MAKE use OF the same for party purposes.
such tactics. do not know whether there is
now, or has ever been a combination such as
mentioned but l do know one G. c.. Wolcott,
against C. "A. pillsbury and others, and it
Is stated that he has written a book. claim
ing to be an exposure of the transactions of
ut and rejecting upon the Hon. c. A. Pills
bury. My acquaintance with this man VOL
colt was during the year 1880 This VOL
cot eG' AN. among CT, other elevators operated by
the elevator Mt Watcrville Mimi; he being
large dealer In wheat, gradually won the
confidence of the farmers in the vicinity of
Watervlile and induced them to deliver their
ment he accepted their wheat on terms as
follows, viz: TO pay them a fixed price in
any event. eye or. should the price advance, to
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 a large quantity OF
conditions Amongst the farmers who de-
livered their wheat to Wolcott on these
terms was one Murray, whose son was at
the time nm employe Of Wolcett at this ele-
vator large quantity of wheat on these
terms from the farmers In the vicinity, VOL
colt, without giving Murray or his son, who
was his employe, any notice Of same, turned
over this elevator and contents, including
Murray's wheat, to another concern, and
skipped to Europe.
''When Murray learned Of Wolcotts 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,
l sought an interview with Wolcott At our
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
In litigation that he expected to recover. I
again called ON him, but he Informed me
that he had not succeeded in getting the
money, but would pay in few weeks, and
over a period of six months. The last time
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,
but it never came. Finally he said he was
drawing rental on an elevator somewhere.
amounting to 800. and that he would turn
over the list II Murray would accept the
SIM same in in, full R 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, I found this man g
c.: Wolcott to be an Infamous scoundrel and
wholly unworthy Of belief, respect or conf
dence, and when man Of his stamp is used
Of G. A.: Pil!sbury: or any other reputable
citizen, it is high time for the people of this
state to- pause and reflect before passing
judgment
"He charge. G: A.; Pillsbury with being
This man Wolcott robbed this old man Mn.
ray and other farmers of their entire crop. I"