Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-04
INTERESTING SUIT
Brought Against Jesse C. Con-
nor Of PittsfeId, Me-,
To Compel Payment Of a Subscription
Toward the Creamery.
Mr.. Conner Claims Committee Exceeded In.
structions. Releasing Obligation.

Pittsfield, Me, Jan. 3.-(SpeciaD.-
The citizens of Pittsfield, especially the
business men, are deeply interested
over suit which has been brought
| against Jesse C. Connor. one of the
Oldest business men in the town, by T.
G. Lancey and William Dobson OF
Pittsfield, and r. II. Greeley of Eden
| Me.
| Mr.. Iancey is the son of the late I
| II. l.ancey of this town, half heir of
the Lancey estate and is reputed to be
worth $4,000. and is member of the
firm of T. G.. Lancey & Co.
VIM. Dobson is one of the owners OF
the Pittsfield Pioneer Wooden mill and
| reputed to be worth 100000
Mr.. Common. the defendant, is under
stood to be a large real estate owner
and man very keen in all business
transactions.
The story of the suit is as follows,
as learned from interviews with the
principals by the journal reporter:
Last spring, a movement was on foot
in town to build a creamery and ar
rangements We're made with Greeley <
Peters of Ellsworth. to erect the plant
in this village providing the citizens
Of the town would raise the necessary
funds to cover the cost Of erecting the
building and purchasing the lot.
McSsrs. Greeley & Peters to furnish
the plant with the proper machinery.
Several meetings We're held and a com
mittee consisting of T. G. Lanccy. VIII
liam Dobson and +. II. Greeley was
appointed by Interested citizens to
solicit the funds among the business;
men of the town. This they did,
among the names on the paper being
the name of J. &. Common for the sum
of 800 The paper signed by Mr.. Con-
nor and other subscribers is as fol-
lows:
The undersigned hereby agree with
Thomas G.. Lancey, William Dobson
and +. H. Greeley, that we will pay to
them the sums set against our names
respectively, for the purpose Of pur-
chasing a lot and building. a building
to be used as creamery in the town
of PittSfield. The location of the lot
and all the other terms and details Of
the expenditure of the money to be
determined by majority and amount
of the subscription. instead of a ma
iority in the number of subscribers.
Dated at Pittsfield. Maine. this 10th
day Of March. 1899"
on the evening of April 10, 1899. a
meeting of the subscribers was held in
the Lancey House parlors and the
manner Of building was discussed at
length. and on motion Of J. &. Common
Il -
creamery for $500 and to pay no more.
Further discussions We're made on the
question. and Mr.. Common withdrew his
motion. and the following motion was
made by J. w. Manson:
Il move that a committee consisting
of T. G.. Lancey. William Dobspn and
f. II. Greeley draw up and execute a
contract with John G. Gordon. where
by the subscribers furnish $500 and the
lot. and John G. Gordon build a build
ing substantially to the plans and Sp7c-
ifications submitted, with power in the
committee to make such changes as
they see fit. not lessening the cost of
the building: taking the title to the
lot and building in the names of the
committee as trustees Of the sub
scriberS: then leasing it to said Gordon
for 20 years without payment of any
rent. but To be without expense of any
kind to said subscribers. and at the
end Of that time to be surrendered to
said trustees in substantially as good
condition as when built. ordinary wear
and tear excepted: to be kept insured
during the term for the benefit of the
subscribers in q sum not less than
Q i i Il
said creamery there during all the
time Ga shutdown of less than six
months not countins). the said building
shall be surrendered as above" The
same was accepted.
Messrs. Lancey. Dobson and Greeley
claim that the location of the lot and
all the other terms and details Of the
expenditure of the money We're deter
mined by a majority of those subscrib-
ing. said majority being a majority in
amount of the subscription.
And the above named gentlemen
claim that on the faith Of said agree
ment Of the defendant q. G. Connor)
and others, the plaintiffs purchased
lot and erected building to be used
as a creamery in the town of Pittsfield
Said lot and building costing a sum not
less than the total amount of said sub
scriptiOnS.
And the above named gentlemen
claim that they themselves We're sub
ScriberS to said project Of purchasing
a lot and building creamery and that
they have paid and put into said lot
and building the said amounts which
they themselves subscribed and COM
peted said building upon the strength
and faith of the said contract of the
defendant and that they have request
ed the defendant to pay to them for
said purpose the amount of said sub |
to wit, the sum of 800 and |
that he has without cause or reason
absolutely refused to pay the same
The above claims of Mrs Lancey |
Dobson and Greeley are copy from
the writ served upon Mr.. Conner. Tues |
day morning, by Deputy Sheriff C. B. !
upon orders issued from the |
supreme judicial court at Ellsworth
In an interview with the defendant, |
Mr. Common, he made the following (
and gave the following rea-
sons for not paying the sum set