New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-04
PRICE THREE CENTS.
HAS HE GONE TO JOIN WEGGl
FORMER NORTHERN PACIFIC DIREC
TORS SCATTERING.
CHARLES L. CoLBYs SUDDEN AND QUIET DD
PARTURE FOR EURoPE-DAviD $. wEGG. II. O.
BoUTELL AND HENRY WILLARD ALREADY
SAFE FROM sUBPoENAs-THE PROCEED
INGs DESIGNED TO PROVE CHARGES
AGAINST THE OLD NORTHERN
PACIFIC MANAGEMENT.

AGAINST THE OLD NORTHERN
PACIFIC MANAGEMENT.
What looks liFe panic has been developed
among the members of the old Willard combina.
tlon in the Northern Pacific Railroad. The be-
ginning Of the taking of testimony in legal pro-
ceedings has led 10 the scattering in different
directions OF several Of the men who would be
summoned as Witnesses and. II the movement
continues. 1t may be that the only evidence OBJ
tanable with regard to many transactions which
the present Northern Pacific anasement charge
were tainted with fraud will be the records IN
the company's Offices and in public documents.
Henry Willard the first Of the old mana
gers to place the ocean between himself and the
courts here Charles L. Colby is the last
to make secret and unexpected departure.
Testimony Is now being taken by master in
chancery IN Chicago in the Northern Pacific lit
igation The master IS expected to begin hear
ing in this city within ten days. Mr. Colby
sailed for Europe on Wednesday. and he is un-
derstood to have taken the steamer Teutonic.
His name, however, did not appear on the ves-
sells passenger is,, and the departure OF Mr..
Colby will be a surprise 10 many Of his acquaint-
ances. II is understood that as late as Tuesday
an intimate friend OF Mr.. Colby's saw him at the
Plaza Hotel where he was staying. and in the
course OF 4 long conversation, MI. OOlOy lHdIc
no mention whatever OF his intended trip abroad.
When he left the hotel on Wednesday the mana
gers were informed that he was going to his
home.
SIMILAR PRECAUTIONS BY OTHERS
These precautions to avoid publicity were SIM
liar to those observed by David $. Wegg pres-
dent of the Chicago and Northern Pacific. who
sailed for Europe on last Saturday Mr.. Wegg's
name was carefully omitted from the passenger
list Of the steamer he took. Another expected
witness in the Northern Pacific suits was II. S.
BOutell. secretary Of the Chicago and Pacific. 1t
is not known where he is spending vaca-
tion. but the plaintiffs in the suits have been un-
able 10 find out where he is. Prior 10 the de-
parture Of Mr. Wegg and Mr.. Boutell payments
were made Of $4,000 10 the former and $4,000
To the latter by william Nelson Cromwell, coun-
Sci OF the receivers OF the Northern Pacific Rail-
road. These payments were said by Mr.. Crom-
well 20 cover legal services. 1t was said yester.
day thai the money paid for the purchase OF
certain claims alleged by the two men to be
held against the Chicago and Northern Pacific
for legal services. These claims are disputed
by the receivers Of that road, who have refused
to pay them.
Henry Willard was the first Of the Northern
Paciiic directors 20 leave the country after his
overthrow at the last annual meeting Of the
stockholders. lie had resigned from the board
previous u tho meeting. and he went abroad
after tho institution Of the suit Of John swope.
n Philadelphia stockhoder OF the Northern
Pacific for the restitution Of some $l0000,000
from Mr.. Willard. Charles L. Colby. Colgate
Hoyt and other directors. Wall Street Is In little
doubt that Mr.. Willard fears TO return 10 the
United States while the Northern Pacific litiga-
uon IL In the courts. because OF tho rigid scru-
tiny which will be made Of the past management
Of the property. According TO the latest ad-
vices Mr.. Willard was in Egypt
NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK on Mr.. oAKEs.
The legal examination which the former d.
rectors Of the Willard roads are happily escaping
by reason Of prompt but quietly conducted de-
partures from the country is the result Of pc
the removal Of Thomas F. Oakes from the
ceivershp. The suit is not intended a per-
sonal attack upon Mr.. Oakes, who is believed by
the stockholders 10 have been among those least
responsible for the transactions which wrecked
the property Bur as Mr.. Oakes IL the only re-
ceiver who a director, can be connected with
the former management he is compelled TO D
pear defendant. The real purpose OF the
present managers Of the road is to secure re-
view in court of the proceedings Of Henry Willard.
Cha rles Lobby. Colgate HOyt and other men who
were the leading spirits in the management Of
Northern Pacific affairs The matter now be-
hg investigated Is the acquisition of the Chicago
and Northern Pacific and Wisconsin Central
properties. which. the present directors Ok the
Northern Pacific assert. were Sadded upon that
company at an enormous profit 10 the manipula-
tors Of the deal" When Mr. Cary. Of Milwau-
kee the master I'm chancery. who Is taking tes-
timony in the petition for the removal Of Re-
ccivcr Oakes. begins his hearings in this city next
week or the week after. il Is expected that ex-
tremely sensational evidence will be submitted
which the Northern Pacific was plunged into
han