The age-herald., 1899-03-31


 nooga, and that thousands of pounds of meat were sold and vegetables, and in fact, every article of trade was trafcked in.
 After the end of the big encampment, Forester says he went to his partner, Horn, and asked for settlement. He says Horn told him that the partnership had $2o00 on deposit with N. Dietzen & Ce., of Chattanooga. Forester says he went to that place and asked if the deposit was there, but was informed that 1t was not and that Horn & Co. owed the firm several hundred dollars.
 Forester says he went to Horn and de- manded at once an explanation. Horn, so Forester says, told him that the money had been deposited in a bank in the city. Forester says he went to all the banks in the city, but found that never had a penny been deposited in the firms name
 Suit was then filed against Horn and the case is now pending in the court of chan cery in Chattanooga. Horn has filed an answer and cross bill alleging that For rester owes him balance, and the case promises to be one of sensational interest when it is reached and the evidence is heard.
 Was Promised a Gold Mire
 One of the most prominent attorneys in Chattanooga was approached during the encampment by citizen of this city and was asked if he would not like to go into a money-making business that would pay several hundred per cent on the money in- vested and would be perfectly safe, provid- ed there was no talking about the details.
 The attorney was assured that if he would furnish the capital-apout $1,0oo was wanted-that his dividends would be paid daily, and that his profits would be tre- mendous.
 q was then told of the scheme" said this attorney today, whose name is with held because he desires no connection with the meat scandal. 'I was told that gov ornment property of any and every descrip- ton could be secured almost for the ask ing-just cost enough to pay the man on the inside for the opening and closing of the gate it were. l declined, of course, to go into any such scheme, but l have been informed, doubtless reliably so, that the partnership was formed soon afterward and many deals were made
 A gentleman living near Chickamauga park was promised all the government mules he might wish, the cost to be so small and insignificant that vast and fabu- lous sums of money could be made. The gentleman, who is well known. and whose honesty is not questioned by his neighbors, emphatically declined to even cons der the proposition.
 MT. Nathan Frank, who is one of the largest meat dealers in Chattanooga, and who filled several rush orders for the camp at the park on account of the delay in ceving the army rations, says there were many things daily occurring at the park that caused much unfavorable comment.
 How shippers Were Produced
 The incubation of shippers is story in itself that is of interest. when it Is borne in mind that the shippers were produced for the purpose of getting meat condemned.
 It should be said, however, that many officers, in fact, the great majority of the camp, knew nothing about the dea which were going almost under their very eyes and that the transactions were con fined to a very few, and that in nearly all the cases the irregular condemnation and sale of beef came through the cook or some non-commissoned officer.
 But it is known that shippers were pro- duced by negroes who were hangers-on at the park, and order for shippers could be filled in very short time.
 As was explained this morning, shippers are matched from eggs deposited on meat by a small black bug; maSgots are made from flies which swarm upon meat in hot weather, and shippers and maggots ma ture in day. But here is the incubation of shippers, as told by an attache of the park:
 A side of meat, or even a much less quan- tity would do, owing to the number of shippers needed, would be placed in the hot sun, and over it would be placed piece of pork or fresh beef. The exposure to the broiling sun for few hours would bring shippers in abandnace and in few hours longer time the shippers were fully matured and ready for business In order to keep the shippers they would be placed on a piece of bacon and then another piece placed over this, thus sandwiching the shippers between the sides Of the meat, where they remained in perfect bliss and unusual activity until an order was re- ceived.
 Camp Leeehes Made Fortunes
 The hangers-on of the camp made money without reckoning in the palmy days of the encampment, when there was an army of more than 4O,0O0 men to prey upon.
 I was told yesterday afternoon at the park that men came there tramps and left lords; they made their spells by honest peddling and rumored dishonest deals. The money that changed hands Is spoken of by those who remain at the park as thou sands and thousands of dollars and mil lions of pounds of provisions, melons. fruits and produce found an easy market.
 On account of the great sale of condemn ed bacon, the price of meat was cut, and bacon that sold at ten cents a pound at retail was handled at one and two cents a pound in carload lots, which was worth six and seven cents by the carload.
 It is not denied among the wholesale com mission merchants in Chattanooga that thousands of pounds or bacon were handled by them. They knew the meat had been condemned, but the meat was purchased anywhere.
 While had nothing to do with getting the meat condemned" said MT. Forester "yet know that a vast amount l handled had been condemned, and I found it in a perfect state, or I would not have sold it again. There is a way to get the shippers off without hurting the meat, and it was handled by experienced hands"