The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-02-16
MAY FALL THROUGH.
Some Interesting Facts Come Out in
Regard to the Supposed Sale
of the Washington
House.

10 81. Dlutl VI AhbSANtNSh5 49,
d., for S., 900. At that time the con-
tract of sale was drawn and signed,
but NO money was paid over to bind
the contract. In the latter it was
stipulated that there were to be two
payments, one Of $1,000 on Feb.
18th, today, and the balance at
the end Of ten years, with
an annual interest Of seven per-
per cent to be paid. Mr.. Blum rep
resented to Mr. Duane and others
that he owned $500 acres of land IN
Texas, a farm or two in Dakota, and
two well digging machines worth
ST coo each. He was TO raise the first
$4,000 on his Texas land. He made
an attempt to do so through one OF
the banks. but failed.
Mr.. Blum came to the city some ten
days ago with his wife and two small
children and boarded at the Washing
ton House. He tod various per-
sons of his purchase and on
the strength of this got con-
siderable credit. His board bill
with Mr. Miller who rents the Wash
ington House, tt gether with money
borrowed of him and purchases amount
to about to about S125. He gave first
mortgage on what goods he had, claim
ing that they were unencumbered, so
Mr.. Miller states. Today, however,
Mr.. Allen, of Madison Lake, came in
with mortgage bearing a previous
date and took the goods away with
him. Blum borrow ed $40 from Young
& Monson, made a bill with a cigar
dealer, and may have secured
further credit. He left few
days ago, going to Eagle Lake to
attend to money matters, so he said.
He has not returned in time to make
his first payment, at least before the
banks closed.
A FREE PRESS reporter interviewed
the various parties connected with the
affair today aud secured some light on
the matter.
Mi. Duane is greatly disappointed
because of the failure Of Mr.. Blum to
appear. What makes the matter worse
with him is that Blum rented the
Washington House barn to Mr.. johnson
proprietor of the American House,
and collected the rent for SIX months
part of hotel that expects farmers
trade. Said MrQuane: "Blum repre-
sented himself as being well fixed,
and l had no thought but that he
would pay me. Where made mis-
take was in not securing part pay
ment when the contract was signed.
/ don't think that Blum will make
any payments, and don't know wheth-
er he will come back. Thomas Dona-
hue wants to rent the hotel, and l
shall let him have it IN day
or two unless Mr.. Blum shows up"
Mrs. Blum, who is pleasant appear
ing little lady, talking freely of the
matter and said: eve came from
Aberdeen, where my husband was en-
gagged in selling well drilling machin-
cry. He took five or seven machines
with him, but do not know whether or
not he sold them all. They are valued
at 81 900 each. He had no other land
than the $500 acres in Texas that l
know of. I have the deed and alb
stract of the Texas land, but don't
know what it is worth. My husband
traded 80 bonds for it. He and Iparted
last October, but haye been Lying to-
gether for some time. If he
does not come back now 1 shall
Dot live with him longer. He drinks
great deal and has been arrested
number of times for drunkenness. 1
do not know whether he could pay for
the hotel, but hardly think that he
will be back. He left me with only
fifty cents and the personal property
all morgaged, and two children to care
for, but l think that | can care for
myself better than he did"
Mr.. Miller stated: "Blum intended
TO make the first paymenq by raising
money on his Texas land. 1 would
like to see him come back. My first
mortgage turned out to be
a second mortgage. Blum was
very liberal, especially to
himself, as the number of empty bot
ties found in his room shows. / would
sell my claim cheap. l will be out
$50 at the BEST"
Whether Mr.. Blum will return we
have no idea, but in any event his
actions have been queer, and sufficient
to arouse no end OF talk.
Mrs. Blum, ii is said, has consulted
lawyer about securing a divorce.