, 1898-11-26
KING FAILS.
GRANT GILLETTE OF KANSAS
GOES UNDER WITH A MIL
LION LIABILITIES.
A Spectator Of the Skyrocket Order
Who Operated in Kansas. Texas.
Oklahoma and Indian Territory
His Failure Predicted by Expert
enced Cattlemen.

Abiline, Kan, Nov. ga failure in
volving cattle interests throughout the
southwest was precipitated here today
when an attachment suit for $500 0
was filed against Grant c. Gillett of
Woodbine by the Gillespie Commits
sion company of Kansas City.
Gillette controls thousands of cattle
on the southwestern ranges, and his
liabilities are believed to be over ST.
900, 900.
1t is now known that on Monday of
the present week Gillette made an as
signment and deed Of trust of all his
holdings to D. W. Naill. Gillette at
once departed for Texas. Mr.. NALL.
however, refused to accept the trustee
ship and the papers were not filed.
This condition Of affairs became
noised about, Gillett's creditors came
down upon him in droves. Men repre-
senting twenty-five commission firms
in Kansas City arrived at Woodbine
today on a special train and immedi-
ately began searching for Gillett's cat
tie. which are ranging over central and
western Kansas, Oklahoma, Indian
Territory and Txas. How many there
are none of the creditors seem to
know. but it is stated that there are
about 5000 head on Gillett's Woodbine
ranch. Some idea Of the extent OF Gil
let's liabilities was gained at the coun-
ty registers Office here. where fully
81 900 900 of his paper is recorded.
About one-third of it is blanket and
unreleased mortgages, while the re-
mainder covers cattle now being fed.
Most Of Gillett's paper is thought to
have been held by Kansas City banks
and commission firms. but the firms
who are represented here OF the
grounds claim to be amply protected.
The career of Grant c.. Gillett has
been OF the sky-rocket order. He is
bull 81 years Of age, and his operations
have startled the more conservative
stockmen. Four years ago he lived on
a mortgaged quarter-section Of land
neal Woodbine, where hi began his
cattle trade by feeding steers for 9TH
ers. In this he was successful, and on
the little ranch he laid the groundwork
OF a business which has enabled him to
handle over 200, 900 cattle within the
last three years. His methods were as
novel as they were daring. Soon he
seemed to have unlimited credit. He
bought great drazes of cattle in Texas
and brought them north for feeding.
Soon he organized his celebrated Cow
boy band" composed Of plainsmen in
his. employ, and when he rode about
the country in his special car he took
his band Of musicians with him. He
even took them into eastern cities,
where they attracted much attention.
Mr.. Gilett is said to have recently
taken out 1921, 900 Of life insurance and
5000, 900 of accident insurance.
Kansas City, Mo-. Nov. 25.-The fail
ure of Grant C. Gillette, the cattlman Of
WOodbine, Kan, was not generally
known in Kansas City at the close OF
business hours this evening. though it
was already known and had created a
slight furry in financial circles at the
stock yards. 1t is stated that over
$500 900 Of Gillett's paper Is held in
kansas City, distributed among a score
or more Of commission firms. Through
these firms. some Of this paper has
reached the local banks, but as to the
amount Of the holdings OF any Of the
firms or bakns no definite information
could be obtained.
Denver. Colo. Nov. 25.-Cattlemen
with headquarters in Denver are IA
miliar with the name OF Gillett. and
quite a number Of them are personally
acquainted with the young a He
twas in attendance at the national live
stock convention in this city last jan
uary, and made many acquaintances
while in the city. He was recognized
as one of the nerviest investors in live
stock in the entire country, and old
handlers of live stock are not surprised
at hts downfall.
II saw him last at the Fort Worth
Convention" said a w~ell-known cattle
man at the Brown hotel last night. He
came to Fort Worth in a special a
with a cowboy band and a streamer
which covered the entire side Of the
car, containing the legend, Eighty
Thousand dollars profits last year. Gil
lett was a spectacular fellow and was
backed by several commission firms of
Kansas City. He bought cattle right
and left and at prices which at times
made his operations appear highly
venturesome. He 10 quite young with
a Jolly round face and assurance enough
Ito supply a whole regiment OF ordinary
people. There was only one end for .
man of Gillett's makeup"
General Manager Ballentine said last
night that GiAett a a well known
cattle feeder, but had done little or no