The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-17
DISMUKE'S DEAL IN PORK
SID PHELAN Is TRYING TO DO HIM
UP ON ACCOUNT OF 1T.

The Row had Its Origin in the Col
onePs Inability to Collect Els rohts
From the BrOker-The Latter Re
fused to Even Refund the Margin,
But Finally Did So Under Legal
Pressure.
WASHINGTON, April 16.-Sid Phelan's
attack on Col. Fred Dismuke in the Atlanta
Constitution and his Threatened move In
Washington looking to the defeat of Col
D,smuke's chance for the marshalship of
the North Georgia district was the topic OF
conversation to-day In Georgia circles. Mr..
Dismuke read the card with bis usual sang
froid and remarked that he felt no sort of
concern about Mr.. Phelan or the card.
Asked what was Mr.. Phelan's grievance, be
said that il related to a business transaction
two years ago about the time Phelan
opened up bucket shops ell over
Georgia, and just prior TO his
failure. "1he story is this" remarked MIR.
Dsmuke, as he settled back on a hotel
lounge aud lazily pulled at his cigar: "Iu
January, 1890 a man named CothrOn came to
Griffin and opened up brokerage business,
osteusibly to deal in products for actual or
future deliveries, just as many of our mer-
chants do In the little towns in the state. He
didn't run long before the ordinary OF the
county came down on him for a license of
$500. which was the sum required
in those days for running u bucket
shop. Cothron urged that he was not
running a bucket shop business, and, as the
hnA 4 -, ho ~
employed me to resist it, paying me q re-
tainer of 500. at once filed a plea of ille-
galitv, which held the execution up until
February when the superior court coa-
vened and the ordinary endeavored to in
dict Cothron before the grand jury. Goth
ron stated his case to the jurors and sub
mitted his proofs, and upon these the jury
held him not liable for the tax.
A FLYER IN PORK.
"Pretty soon after the court adjourned,
however, Cothron's place developed itself
and the boys began to play with his risks
He was pretty clever sort Of fellow and
no one suspected that Phelan had any con-
necton with him. but on The contrary be-
lieved that all contracts were being honestly
placed in New York or Chicago During
April pork offered a good field Tor specula-
tion and some eight or ten OF US bought
my individual investment being $780, In a
day or two had $500 profit, and along
with others thought had better pull out.
Cothron couldn't pay. He said he had TO
go to Atlanta to raise the
money and he did go. Our
profits were altogether about SlS,000 as
near as l can recolleot. The day following,
Sunday, he returned to Griffin and stated
much to our surprise that Phelen bad not
forwarded our orders, that he CCothron) had
taken the risks himself and that Phelan was
broke. This was the first Information we
had that Phelan was in any manner con-
nected with Cothron and his business, or
that he was responsible TO us for our
money. On the next day, Monday.
accompanied by Thomas Nall,
warehouse man OF Griffin, l
went to Atlanta to see Phelan.
We saw him and he said he was broke. l
asked if be could pay US back the money
we had invested as margin. He said he
could pay nothing. / told him then that l
would prosecute him TOR fraud and for con-
Quoting bucket shop business without a
license. He answered: Prosecute and
that he was as good a criminal lawyer as
any in the state.
THE MARGINS RECOVERED.
Il returned to Griffin. got out a warrant
for Mr.. Phelen, brought him down to Grit
AAii' obu 1 ulu pQSA IlObG vigorously ,QOG
only In my case, but in all the others, until
ne refunded our margins through his at
torney, the sum being about 81, 800 all told.
When this was paid the prosecution was
abandoned. We never got dollar of the
prohts we were entitled 70, only our original
Investments. Hon. John l. Hall was our
counsel in the cases and eau testify to the
truth OF my statement Col Dismuke
viii prepare counter statement to file with
the President refuting Phelan's complaint
If he finds it necessary.
Judge Crisp will return to Washington
coward the last of the month to accompany
the presidential party to Chicago.
The Gonzaies-Tiliman difficulty has not
been adjusted, but it is hoped that neither
OF the parties will prosecute it further, ss
Doth are applicants for office, and a rem
counter would doubtless defeat both.
d. M. Blackburn is going home tonight
not to return, he says. until he is invited.
Harvey johnson will depart tomorrow