Evening journal., 1900-06-19
BERRY GROWERS
/ HUNTING Stein
Put Detectives on Track Of
r Missing Commission Man
NiaSy Farmers Say His Firm. .SWindled
Them and Ruined Their
Business

Philadelphia, June 19.-Detectives
were hustling about this city yesterday
trying to find President Abraham Stein
and Agent Sessler. of J. Stein & Co.,
incorporated, hide, fruit and general
merchandise dealers. Of No. $50 North
Water street, who failed about June 10,
leaving a large number Of creditors in.
the berry-growing districts Of Della
ware.
=, AT the time Of the suspension it was
charged that members of the firm had
contracted with farmers to sell their
crops OF strawberries at 4 cents a quart
the buyer to pay for the crates and ex-
pressage. It was agreed that settle
ments should be made on Wednesday
and Saturday Of each week. Only one
or two small payments were made, the
creditors say, when, at the height OF
the season. after carloads Of berries
had been shipped to the concern, it was
announced that the company could not
pay. Then it was learned that ]. Stein
& Co. had sold out the consignments
for cash. at any price they could get.
1t is said they ruined the berry mar
= ket in Philadelphia, because they Sc
cured the bulk Of the cargo and sold il
at preposterous figures, keeping down
prices below any possible profit.
) WARRANTS SWORN OUT.
Attorney Ruby R. Vail, representing
creditors, announced after the firms
assignment that an action in bank
ruptcy would be begun. He also
charged that President Stein and Agent
Sessler had been guilty Of criminal acts
in dealing with the fruit growers and
others.
Mr.. Vail went to Dover last Saturday
and secured affidavits upon which h'
demanded extradition warrants from
, the attorney general Of Delaware. Hi
! petition was granted and YESTERDAY
State Constable Marvil came here will
warrants issued at the instance of At
torney-General White for the arrest o
Stein and Sessler Captain of Detec
tives Miller had fugitive warrant
sworn out and placed in the hands o
Marvil and a couple Of central offic
detectives
When, however. an attempt wa
made to serve the warrants it wa
found that neither Stein, nor his lieu
tenant. nor Attorney O'Donoghue thei
counsel. could be found. At Stein
home. No. 1902 Marshall street, 1t wa
said his whereabouts was not known.
The warrants charge obtainin
money under false pretense and con
spiracy to defraud. The complain
specifies that ]. Stein & Co., incOrpO
rated, displayed an old Bradstree
rating Of ]. Stein & Co. Of Dover, nOl
out of business, which gave to tina
concern a credit of from $4,000 to 500
600, representing the credit and tn
firm name as referring to J. Stein [
Co, incorporated, of Philadelphia, ais
with falsely stating that the asset
above liabilities. OF the compan,
amounted to s3OS5O when they did nc
nearly reach that sum.
LONG list OF CREDITORS.
A petition in bankruptcy was ais
drawn up by Lawyer Vale. The pet
TONERS are Joseph e. Holland, Thoma
Middleton and w. r. Morris, creditor
for 81 90S.21. The petition is brough
in the United States Court. under tn
general bankruptcy law. The creditor
joined in suing through Mr.. Vail, an
the amounts they claim are:
]. E. Holland, S1,2lz66; G. A. Mack
lin, s26S.S0; w. II. Vanlis, SS193; A.
Lockinder. 1864: w. II. Buell., STATS
John f. Truett, $4S3.SO; NJ II. Davi
s46OS; J. H. Prague, $16.39; w. R. MOI
ris, $S94.55; T. w. Middleton, S296
Frank Warren, S313.32; Harry Wal
ren. S332S; Robert f. Hazard. $56S2
R. NJ. Cain. s26S6S; Theodore Town
send, S124S9; f. A. Scott & Co., s3712
Charles II. Sackett. s520.96; e. {
Reed, s53.76; G. H. Titus, s14O6l
John w. Potter, s32; w. f. Clendanie
5000; J. L. Clendaniel, S294S; Jane
Symonds. S2176; c. H. Russell, s61.4i
]. d. Alexander. s16512; ]. c. Hal
s95.37.
Among the claims in the hands {
other attorneys are those of Bradfor
Murphy, crate manufacturer, for neal
ly $1,000; the landlord of the store a
NO. SS4 Washington street. New Yorl
and a number of New Jersey frui
growers.