The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-28
MERRITTS ARE CONVINCED.
ExOnernte, Mr.. Rockefeller From
Charges of Intent to Defraud.

Exonerate, Mr.. Rockefeller From
Charges of Intent to Defraud.
Special to the Globe.
DULUTH, Feb. 27.-On the 18th day
of June, 1895, a verdict for 100000 was
rendered against, John d. Rockefeller,
of New York, in the United States
circuit court at Duluth, in favor OF
Alfred Merritt Mr. Merritt was one
of the numerous Merritt brothers. Of
this city, who had explored and
brought to public attention the valu-
able Mesabe iron range north Of Du-
luth. Mr.. Rockefeller had been induced
to join in the development, and this
suit was brought owing to disagree
ment which arose. 1t was designed as
a test case, and if Alfred Merritt sue
ceeded. his brothers proposed to follow
it up with other suits, making it, alto
gether, outside of railroad litigation,
involve larger sums than any other
suit ever brought in Minnesota.
Mr.. Rockefeller promptly appealed,
and after a delay by the court of a
year, the appeal was granted and a
new trial ordered which was due at
the spring term. Recently there have
been rumors that a settlement had
been effected between Mr.. Rockefeller
and the Merritts on some basis not
made public. These rumors were coup
led with reports that the Merritts had
Quarreled with Col. Harris, one Of their
attorneys, and that the settlement had
been effected by Mr.. Washburn, an
other Of their attorneys. Col. Harris
plumply denied knowing anything of,
or having participated in the settle
ment, and while the rumor spread, the
public were in doubt.
All doubt was removed this afternoon
by the filing with the clerk Of the
United States circuit court here, of the
following document which was eXecut-
ed some six weeks ago:
Circuit Court of the United States-District
of Minnesota-Fifth Division.
Alfred Merritt, plaintiff, against John D.
Rockefeller, defendant.
1t is hereby stipulated that this action be
forever discontinued and dismissed without
costs to either party as against the other and
that an order may be entered accordingly
without further notice.
Dated January %, 1897.
"A. A. Harris & Son,
j. L. Washburn,
%. w. Baldwin,
Attorneys for Plaintiff.
Anderson, Rowland & Murray,
Cotton, Dibell & Reynolds,
Attorneys for Defendant.
In spite Of Col Harris statements,
the signature of the firm, "A. A. Har-
ris & Son." is in his own bold hand
writing.
ROCKEFELLER EXONERATED.
In addition to the dismissal of the
suit copy Of the following document,
duly certified, was filed at the same
time. 1t will be noted that it is signed
by all of the Merritts, and the past, as
we'll as any prospect of future litiga-
ton, is thus blotted out:
Certain matters Of difference have existed
between the undersigned and John D. Rookie
Teller, and certain litigation has been pend
ing between the undersigned Alfred Merritt
and Mr.. Rockefeller, in which litigation it
was claimed that certain Misrepresentation
were made by Mr.. Rockefeller and those
acting for him concerning certain properties
sold by him to Lake Superior Consolidated
Iron Mines. 1t is hereby declared that from
or under our direction, We have become sat
1sied that no Misrepresentation was made or
fraud committed by Mr.. Rockefeller, or by
MS agents or attorneys for him, upon the
sale by him OF any property to us or any
OF US, or to Lake Superior Consolidated Iron
Mines, or upon the purchase from him from
one or more Of US of any stocks or interests
In any mining or railroad company or COM
panies, or upon the pledge by us, or either
of us, to him of stocks and securities be-
longing to one or more of us; and we hereby
withdraw all such charges and claims and
eXonerate MIR. Rockefeller and his agents and
attorneys therefrom.''
Duluth, Mimi, Jan. 20, 1897.
Alfred Merritt
low