The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-28
PETkoyITs SCORES A KNOCKOUT
he Answers All FIGHTERS Charges aud
Hts nj Rlchrar,s Affnrne,-

Hits ut Richter's Attorney.
Ranko Petkovits. the weIl-known fur
rfer. who has been accused Of removing
mis- goods TO defraud creditors. scored a
Clean Knockout in the superior court
yesterday afternoon. when Judge Langley
vacated the order appointing temporary
receiver or Petkovits' store. In the same
case Petkovits branded as false the story
that ne aid not obtain a general power OF
attorney from Joseph Richter one OF his
workmen. whose name now appears as
piaintin in all the proceedings.
In The statement OF the case as present
co 70 the court yesterday Petkovits first
denied that he had been secreting or re-
moving his stock and shipping II TO san
Francisco. or anywhere else for the ptlr-
pose OF cheating or defrauding Richter
or any one else. For long time he had
been IN the habit OF shipping to San Fran
CISCO and New York green skins which he
received from customers to be dressed
dyed or redyed, and also such as he pur-
chased in replenishing his stock. On re-
turn the skins were delivered 10 custom
ers
Petkovits said he executed a first mort
gage on his stock, etc. for g. go 10 Henry
Fuhrnan. March o. 1884. The money was
used In recovering and redeeming the
stock. which had been levied upon under
an execution. Before the loan from Fuhr-
man he was indebted to Henry Eraus OF
New York. for goods 70 the amount Of
$3.50. and second mortgage was given
given him. To Richter. whose claim was
$500, third mortgarS was given petko-
Wits claimed that Richter and his attorney
knew all about the circumstances Of the
case Henry Thurman was in possession
and control OF the stock. etc up TO the
time temporary receiver was appointed
Petkovits. under the control of Fuhr-
man and his representatives, conducted the
business and the proceeds were used in
the payment OF Fuhrman's mortgage, OF
which 81. 800 was paid.
Petkovits thought that Richter had been
imposed upon and did not realize the char
acter OF the proceedings Instituted over
his name and that they were undertaken
without HIS consent.
Continuing. Petkovits claimed that Ira
Bronson. claiming 10 represent Richter
went TO him Petkovits) and told him that
II he did not pay Richter or secure the
debt, he would attach the stock and close
him out. After Bronson was gone he ask
ed Richter, who was then in his employ
and who had been eating at the same ia
be and living In the same house. what
he meant by having an attorney come 10
him. and If he was determined to trouble
him Petkovitsl then he would discharge
him. He told Richter II might be some
time before he could pay his debts Rich
ter. according 10 Petkovits, saidshe did not
intend TO pursue such a course and that
the attorney had no authority 20 make
any such threats and that he would direct
him TO drop all proceedings and after that
Richter told him he had done so The
matter remained quiet until the account
OF the suit Of Richter against Croft came
out in the Post-Intelligencer Petkovits
Immediately asked Richter, who was stiIl
In his employ. what that meant, and Rich
ter said the suit was brought without his
consent or knowledge. Richter IS even
now working AT Petkovits' store and. Pet
koyits says. seems 70 have no idea Of what
intention Of pressing his claim. In closing
Petkovits speaks as follows about the al
legged false power Of attorney:
1T Is not true that affiant obtained from
Richter any instrument or power Of attor-
ney by false or fraudulent representations,
or took any advantage whatever Of the
plaintiff. About a year ago Richter did
execute and deliver 20 Petkovits A gen
eral power OF attorney. The plaintiff we'll
knew The exact character and purpose OF
the same. and has never objected TO the
same"
Afldavits OF Henry Thurman. K. r.
Spencer. Receiver W. W. kirkwood. II. \.
Schroeder and John s. Jurey I'm support
OF Petkovits' statements were submitted.
An affidavit was also presented by At
tornev Bronson. who represented Richter.
I'm which he snid that Petkovits defied the
court by refusing 20 recognize the tenn
porarv receiver and by locking UP his pa
pcrs in the safe.
Judge Langley vacated the order for a
temporary receiver made on Wednesday
last.