Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-13
BIG FIRM GOES UNDER
Decker, Howell & Company, Wall Street
Brokers, Assign.
One of the Largest Houses ON the
Street Are Caught Short
Sugar.

| NEW YORK. July 13.-Decker, Howell
| & Company. bankers and brokers, of this
| city, have assigned. with preferences.
| Liabilities not stated.
The announcement was made on the
| stock exchange soon after the opening
and created much excitement. The firm
| is one of the largest doing business in the
| street.
The losses will fall On those who have
had speculative accounts with the firm.
Decker. Howell & Co. is peculiarly a local
riIin. 1t had a large chenille. and it is
said specuiated heavily for it's own ac-
count. According 20 Assignee Alans On
Fisher jr., the firm had no creditors out
side of New York city. 1t leased no pri-
vate wires and had no agents or CORE
spondents in other cities. Mr.. Fisher add
ed that he believed that the liabilities
would prove 10 be small.
Mr.. Fisher was at one time connected
with the firm and lately resumed his con-
nection. He understands the business of
the firm thoroughly, and a corps of ex-
pert accountants was at once placed on
the books under his direction TO ascertain
just how matters stood.
Failure Causes No Excitement.
There was no CONSERVATION in the Sugar
pit when the failure was announced.
A representative of the firm attributed
the trouble 10 being on the wrong side of
the market, the firms shortage on Sugar
being one of the principal elements. Five
years ago this firm failed for $12,0UtO0,
but paid up within sixty days and resumed
business.
The firm was founded in 1870. under the
name and style of Leonard, Sheldon & Fos-
ter. With unlimited capital and eXcep-
tional opportunities for speculation of the
large
following. In 1881 the firm became known
as Decker, Howell & Co. Mr.. Howell die'l
some time ago.
The firm old large and profitable busi-
nesS until 1890, when they Were compelled
to make an assignment. Then Wall street
was startled by the announcement that the
liabilities of the firm would aggregate ST.
OUDU0. This sum was paid in sixty days,
as the firm had promised at the time of the
suspension, and business was resumed
The street after this. had the greatest
confidence in the recuperative powers of
The concern. and there were few accounts
Withdrawn because of the failure at that
time.
Statement of j. s. Decker.
]. S. Decker. the senior member of the
firm, said: 1T will be several days before
any true statement of our finances can be
prepared. AS soon the books can be
gene over and an account rendered, it
will be made public. Until that time. how
ever hardly think it would be fair to our
creditors to make any statement whatever
regarding our finances; neither will I be
able &c say at present what our house will
do in the near future
cur difficulty is due to general de-
preston in business IN the street and GER
tain fluctuations il the markets ove.. which
We had no control.
of course. our financial difficulty of four
Years ago left us in such a weak condition
that We had to be very cautious. We were
weak when the present blow came and
were not able to meet the demands on u.s.
Ieel sure however. that some opening
will be made for US, and We shall be able
to settle with our creditors dollar for dol
lar