The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-01-08
Receiver Crowell Ousted.

Last Saturday evening Judge Irwin
notified Clerk Morrison over the 'pnone
of the removal of Receiver e. f..
Crowel1 and the appointment of W. H.
Maxwell, the present county treasurer,
as the new receiver. Attorney c. ..
Bates for the petitioners, arrived from
Montesano Tuesday evening with the
orders in the case. Wednesday morn
ing Receiver Maxwell filed his bonds
and accompanied by Mr.. Bates, visited
the office of the Shelton & Southwes-
tern Railroad Company, and forced
entrance. Receiver Crowell left town
last Friday and has not yet returned,
although he is reported to be in Taco
ma, where w. H. Knee1and also went
Wednesday morning. Mr.. Crowell
withdrew his personal funds as well
as those of the corporation. The new
receiver promptly issued his first or
taking formal possession of the road
and property, and removing w. II.
Kneeland as general superintendent:
and AL. J. Munson was placed in
charge of the Office.
The order for the removal recites
that Receiver Crowe11 had in many IN
stances exceeded his authority as re-
ceiver, particularly in making extern
sions and improvements to the road,
and expended large sums of money for
purposes not authorized by the court;
and it also appears that said receiver
has never made full and satisfactory
reports to the court, nor have his re-
ports complied with the orders of the
Court. The Court is inclined to at
tribute these acts of the receiver to
his youth and inexperience. The
Court orders his removal and the ap-
pointment of w. H. Maxwell in his
stead; bonds $4,000; compensation
SIPS per month. Maxwell is to have
full control of everything and Crowell
is ordered to file a final and complete
itemized account of his acts and doings
before January 10th.
In the matter of certificate the Court
orders the fling of complete state
ment of claims owing for labor, sup
plies and materials done, performed
and furnished in the actual operation
of said road, and upon its approval
H. . 81 ~
certific ates, dated Jan. 1, 1897, due II
mon this after date, interest at eight
per cent. which shall be first lien up
on the earnings of the operation and
also upon the road and road bed and
all property and effects, prior and
superior to any, except the original
$50, 900 first mortgage, now held by
the Dakota Farm Mortgage Co.
The Receiver certificates heretofore
issued shall remain the same being a
lien only on earnings as stated.
That certificates shall be issued only
in payments of claims now due and
unpaid, actually incurred in actual op-
GRAFTON of said railroad, and none
others, the intention being to pay all
claims held by 1aborers, mechanics,
material, men, etc. which were con-
tracted in the actual operation of said
railroad.
The Judge allowed Messrs Stone &
Richardson $3.50 for their services in
the petition to make outstanding GER
tifcates agenera11 len.
A huge wave of satisfaction rolled
over Shelton when the order removing
Receiver Crowe1l was made known,
tempered only by the regret that it
was not done long ago, for the good
of the railroad corporation and all
others concerned. There was some
opposition on the part of those who
haye been in charge of the railroad,
and the safe combination and books
are withheld from the new receiver,
and every effort made to embarass
him in his work, and they may be
brought up with a sharp turn. The
road has earned large profits for the
past two years and if the funds had
not been diverted from their proper
channels, the 1aborers. at least, would
all have had their money before this,
The employees of the road are much
pleased over the change, and they will
get their earnings promptly after mat
tiers get Strengthened out.
The L. M. CO. have received a ship
load of hay and oats from the Skagit
flats. It is choice lot of feed and far