The San Francisco call., 1896-11-20
A. 7. HATCH, THE FRU|T-G GROWER,
YIELDS TO FINANCIAL REVERSES
The Largest Creditors Are Amply Secured by
Mortgages on Highly Cultivated Orchard
Lands in the State.

and example had rendered the greatest
service 10 the State, and that his failure
could be regarded in no other light than
| that OF misfortune. 1.-THE products of his
| almond orchards are known" continued
Mr. Porter, ''throughout tie United States.
His methods of cuitivating orchards, pick
ing and packing fruit were the most care
full. 1t was guarantee of excellence in
trade circles to say the fruit or nuts came
from the Hatch orchards"
81. NJ. La Rue, who is winding up the
affairs of the Grangers' Bank, spoke
highly of Mr.. Hatch as an enterprising
man, but had doubts whether Hatch S
efforts had benefited the fruit interests of
the State. The idea was presented that
Hatch had gone too far in his enthusiasm
and had encouraged others to follow him
until the industry OF cultivating orchards
had been pushed beyond legitimate de-
mands. In consequence of the booming
many orchardistS might suffer.
Among Mr.. Hatch's Liabilities is q note
for $780, 600, held by the Grangers' Bank.
The note is secured by mortgage on an
almond orchard of seventy acres in the
beauty and the land desirable, but the
property will not sell now for sum suffi-
cienL to make the bank even on the tran
saction. The bank will probably lose
$40, 900.
1t was said downtown among the ad.
miring friends of Mr.. Hatch that if he
had contented himself with the profits of
his Suisun orchards which in a single
year amounted to $50 600 over and above
all expenses, he wouid now be lending
money to Banker Robbins, instead of
casting about for means to pay the prin.
cipal and interest on a loan of $200, ,OO0
The success scored at Suisun induced
Hatch to strike out for higher rewards for
his enterprise. He seems to have been
moved by the spirit of his enthusiasm to
invest everything be could borrow in
planting new orchards. He went in with
Colonel Chipman in a great orchard
scheme on the Feather River. He bought
land and planted trees on vast tract in
Tehama County. The prospect in Contra
Costa County pleased him and be made
large investments near Martinez. He did
not go to the heart of the San JOAQUIN
Valley, but went as Far south as Lodi, be-
tween Stockton and Sacramento, in his
zeal to acquire orchard property.
Some OF the banks went as wild in their
estimates OF value as Hatch did himself
As a capitalist expressed it Yesterday:
Money in excess of the value of the land
was borrowed from certain banks in the
country. The lender figured on trees and
vines as security, and when two disastrous
seasons came there was not ample security
for the loans. Hatch, assuming that all
OF his ventures would prove as remunera-
tiNC do 'l1o OICHdTQS Edu In q lew
seasons of unexampled prosperity, became
a great boomer. He continued to reach
out Tor new lands and new orchards. His
ventures and his confidence induced others
to initiate his example. l have known for
two years that he was hard pressed In
the last campaign he was rabid Bryanite
and one OF the widest advocates OF free
silver. l was sure then that there was
something wrong with his investments. {"
1t is thought by merchants and bankers
that the failure will be generally regrette
by the people throughout the State. All
agree that Mr.. Hatch is square man in a
! business sense and that his embarrass-
ment now is due mainly to disastrous
seasons One of his warmest friends said !:
"Mr. Hatch will come out of his troubles
in time. He is man who knows how to
meet adversely and misfortune. You can
fancy man of his past wealth and afflu-
ence living in one little room. His failure
is not due to eglect of his business or per-
sonal extravaganza. He simply encoun-
tered adverse seasons, and by reason of
low prices for orchard products could not
keep ahead, as interest on his notes was
compounding. / do not know the extent
of his liabilities. but should say that he
had hall million dollars invested
The last public position held by MI
Hatch was that of Worlds Fair Com
missioner from this State. He was ap-
pointed by Governor Markham and served
on the commission with Irving NJ. Scott,
James d. Phelan, John Daggett and