Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-01-29
T0WNSHEND'S SENSATION
Over the Affairs of George T.,
WinslOw

His Father-in-LaY, G. G. Johnson,
InvOlved---the story OF Some OF Wins
lows Transactions.
The people of Townshend have been
greatly stirred up the past week over de-
velopments growing out of the protracted
absence from home of G.. p. Winslow, his
failure to meet his financial engagements,
and proceedings which have been brought
against him and his father-in-law, c. c.
johnson. Winslow is man 80 or 40
years old who lives, with his wife, on his
mothers farm three miles beyond Towns
bend village. His business has been that
of a real estate broker, or agent, in con-
nection with some Boston concern. At
different times during the past three or
four years he has made sale of several
pieces of Townshend farm property. G.
G. johnson, who is the father of Wins
lows wife, is well-known and well-to-do
farmer who lives about a mile from the
Winslow place. johnson has always
placed confidence in Winslow and has as
sisted him by loans of money and by signing
his notes. He is a man of integrity and
uprightness, and until his complications
with Winslow began his credit was such
that he could borrow any money he needed
without giving mortgage security.
The course of Winslow's business has
been such that many have predicted his
financial downfall. The first public de-
velopment was in connection with the re-
cent suit of Eugene Bemis to recover a
balance of money on the sale of a farm
which was made by Winslow for Bemis.
Some two or three years ago Winslow
brought a man named Edison to look at
Bems's farm. Winsiow reported to Bemis
that Edison would not give within 500 of
the price asked Bemis finally decided to
sell on that basis and in due time Wins
low paid the money over to him. In
course of time it came out that Edison had
paid Winslow the full purchase price, and
Bems brought suit to recover the extra
$780, Judgment was given him for the
amount less Winslow's commission of FIVE
per cent.
The developments of the past week were
brought about by the action of Winslow's
uncle, Nelson Winslow, in bringing suit
of attachment to recover 70 rmoney loaned
him. 1t is said that Winslow's visible as
sets are small, consisting in the main of
three horses worth $25 or $50 apiece, some
cheap wagons and harness, and pasture
worth small sum of money. Since pro-
ceedings began all his property has been
repeatedly attached by other creditors.
This action against Winslow made the
creditors of G. c. johnson uneasy, and w.
S. Holland and A. A. Mason placed at
tachments on his property to secure them
selves for money loaned to him. His as
sets consisted of his farm, II head of cat
tie, sugar tools and other personal effects.
When Deputy Sheriff Martin went to serve
the writ he found IL head of the cattle
gone, it being stated that they had been
sold to man in Saxtons River. Other
attachments have since been placed on his
property Much sympathy is felt for
johnson, who says that his trouble all
comes from his complications with Wins
low, and that if Winslow would pay him he
could meet all his liabilities.
Wnslow left Townshend month ago
and is supposed TO be in Boston. He wired
that he would return last Tuesday, but he
did not appear. When in Boston ten days
or fortnight ago John II. Ware met
Winslow on the street aud he said he was
then on his way to take the train for
home, but Ware could not find him on the
train.
One of Winslow's transactions which
excited much comment in Townshend was
his sale of a farm to one Anderson of BOs-
ton. Anderson lived in one of the sub
uIUs VI TIE CITY. w luSlON represented 10
him that he had farm for sale in Towns
bend, which contained good buildings in a
good location. The farm was represented
to be in excellent condition. Anderson
traded house near Boston and 500 cash
for the farm. The farm was in the north
part of the town, about four and one-half
miles from the villag", and was of very
little value. Mr.. Anderson came with his
family and it was found that the house
was unfit for habtation. Mrs. Anderson
was in delicate condition and the family
moved into Clarence Woodward's house.
Next day, or very soon after, Mas. Ander-
son became a mother. Anderson had only
few dollars left after paying Winslow the
$500, and the outlook was distressing. The
town authorities took the matter in hand.
Winslow paid back the 5000, and Ander-
son went back to Boston. Winslow's
friends claim that he is detained in Boston
by litigation over the house which Ander-
son traded to him, and that he will return
and compose his affairs when that case is
settled.
Scott Dunklee of Greenfield, who is, or
was, the owner of the Higgins farm in
Brookline, states that he placed the farm
in Winslow's hands to sell. Last spring he
made sale of the farm to a man from
Boston, or who lived near that city, named
johnson johnson moved to the farm,
paying Winslow $500 down and taking his
receipt for the money, but giving him no
deed, nor a bond for a deed. Winslow
has never paid the $500 over to Dunklee.
There is an interesting point here in re-
gard to the ownership of the farm, and
whether johnson is ont the $500 which he
paid. Dunklee also holds Winslows check
for some $37, given several months ago,
but which there was no money in the bank
to meet
There are other cases where Winsow
has given checks without having money in
the bank to meet them. 1t is surmised by
some that his absence from the town and
state may be due in part to the passage of
law by the legislature of 1896 which con-
stitutes the issue of such checks ''the use
of false token" within the meaning of
the statute. The statement comes to us
from TOwnshend that c. G.. johnson
claims that his signature on one or more of
Winslow's notes is not genuine. Several
men in TOwnshend other than those named
have either loaned Winslow money or
signed notes with him. johnson is prob
ably involved to the extent of nearly $1,000
all told. 1t is not stated what are the en-
tire liabilities on Winslow's account. His
creditors have been in consultation to see
if there is any way by which they can
further protect themselves, but without
definite results. As stated in the beginning
these developments are the "town talk''
among all Townshend folk, and many a
bit of rumor and gossip is afoat.