The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-15
MOURNING FOR V|eFUSStk.
CREDITORS OF 4 FIRST AVENUE
GROCER MISS HIM SADLY.
Education Oatwftx seattle Mer-
chants-More Than . score Of
Claims, Aggregatfnx About 81 800

Are you looking for a man from lee
land?" This was the novel saiutation ex-
changed by the wholesale grocers and
produce merchants OF Western avenue
when they met on the street Monday
How much did he get into YOU. was
the usual. though apparently Irrelevant.
Tejoinder.
The man from Iceland is Gudjon Wig
fussen. late proprietor OF the Queen City
grocery store on First avenue and Pine
street. He is alleged to have departed
from Seattle at about high noon on Mon
day. leaving a score or more OF mourn
ing creditors, whose grief can only be
assuaged by the equitable distribution of
something like $500. The creditors do
not look for yigfussen to return, and are
trying To extract as much consolation as
possible from the assets left behind him.
These assets consist OF the stock of
goods which was Vigfussen's, bur which
the latter on the eve OF his departure dis
posed of to Berlin Bros. merchants of
Kent. The purchasers claim that they
were honest in their dealings with Wig
fussen. and Were proceeding to remove
the stock. when the sheriff. at the in
stance OF a number of vfgfussens credit
ors, attached the goods TO secure their
claims. A large majority of the creditors
themselves believe also. that Berlin Bros.
were ignorant of Figfussen's alleged dou-
ble-dealing, bu. are. nevertheless. I'M
willing that the transfer of the stock
should be recognized as regal.
Berlin Bros. it is said, claim to have
bought FtgfusSen's stock at Go cents on
the dollar. according to an invoice taken
on Sunday. They claim it is said. that
the deal was arranged on Saturday about
noon. and that the money-the amount
Is not stated-was paid on Sunday. The
creditors claim that a large amount OF
the goods which were invoiced were
bought by Vigfussen on credit on Satur
day afternoon after the sale was made.
~ hn setA
fussen are more than a week or ten days
old His mourning creditors claim that
they We're not in the habit of trusting
him. except from week TO week, and that
the extensive purchases he made on Sat
urday were made with the intention of
cleaning up the town ard absconding.
However that may be. the fact remains
that hardly a wholesale house in town
escaped when Nigfussen started on his
purchasing tour Saturday afternoon after
banking hours.
yesterday afternoon and compared notes.
Some OF them wanted to have Vigfussen
arrested II found. but others thought to
put him through Bankruptcy would be the
best plan. inasmuch as his personal pres
ence would not be necessary. A commit
tee was appointed to consider ways and
means and report Thursday.
NiSfussen did not confine his operations
10 grocerS and produce dealers alone. Sew
erai dry goods and tobacco dealers are
In the list of creditors. which also in
cludes Jules Redelsheimer. the clothier.
and Albert Hansen the ieweler Wig
fussen bought good-sized bill of goods
of Mr.. Redelsheimer on Saturday even
ing on credit, representing himself as a
man of business etc. The bill at Han
sens amounting to xllo.Jo was incurred
within the week prior to Vigfussen's de-
parture. Among the articles bought by
him were fine locket and a $3.50 dia-
mond ring. Mr.. Hansen was lucky in OBJ
tanning a payment of SA7o before Wig
fusSeu departed.
Nigfussen came to Seattle about a year
ago. He represented that he was just
from London. England. where he had gone
after leaving his native village in Iceland
to complete his English business educa-
ton. He told with pride OF some of the
business colleges he attended. Recent de-
veioprnents have largely increased the re
spect OF the Seattle creditors for men with
English business college edueations.
vigfussen. II is said. gave as his excuse
for selling ont that his mother in Iceland
was seriously ILL., and that his place was
at her bedside His creditors can't see
why he should have needed new clothes
expensive jcwelry and diamond ring
when bound for his home on such a
nournfui mission.