The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-26
ATTORNEY oKELL's STATEMENT
Gives His Version of the Facts in
the McAndrew Case.

The following statement Is made by
Attorney George NJ. Okell, concerning
the McAndrew case reported in The
Tribune of Saturday:
Last August. while attorney for the
Dunmore school board, / had occasion TO
call on the McAndrews a number of times
in reference to u bad deed which they
had given to Byron Brady. On one of
my visits they informed me that p. d.
Manley. of Dunmore, and the Dime Saw
ings bank were cndeavoring. by unscrup-
ulous methods. to steal their property
from them. such as arranging with the
insurance agent TO cancel the policy to
give them an opportunity to, fOreclose,
etc, and that they desired to transfer the
loan to strangers, and asked me If
could negotiate n loan for $500, and
that the interest was all paid up.
I Immediately made application to the
Scranton Savings bank for $500. and
also to Attorney Capwell who informed
me he could get the loan, but that 1t
would probably take several weeks. Some
time later l met Capwell and he informed
me that he could rot make the loan for
the reason that he found the property
had just been advertised for sheriff S
sale. This was the first knowledge
had of the property being in the hands of
the sheriff.
l Immediately called upon the Mean
drews and informed them | could not
make the loan. and to apply elsewhere
They informed me that they had and
could not get the loan, and that it was
no use to bother trying any further, and
that they would do anything so that
| Mapley and the rest could not get the
property. They offered to transfer it to
me provided l would stay the sale and
buy off the mortgage.
! informed them l had not the money
| at the time and could not do SO. and al
their request Informed them I would try
to see what could do for them. and sug.
gested that I might probably interest
my father, to which they gladly assented
I Immediately telephoned to my father
in New York, and he informed me that
II the property was worth the money ht
would buy 1t. and Immediately sent on G
check. I went up to their house and had
them execute a deed. Immediately af
father I told them that father would
agree to give them a years rent free
with a lease and a receipt for one years
rent. which I gave them.
told them that II. during the year
they could get purchaser for the prop
erty, could arrange with my father t.
sell 1t back to them for a fair price. OF
to buy one that they directed; also tina
II they could sell any lots to do so. and
would arrange with my father to giv'
them a liberal division Of the purcha 81
money. and Immediately sent them ,
sign, In pursuance to this agreement
which I understand they hid.
I Immediately went over to the sheriff
| to pay off the mortgage, but the sheriff
requested poundage, which l declined t.
pay. and instead l decided to take al
assignment of the judgment from Mr.
Comegys. who held an assignment OF tn
banks Judgment. Mr.. Comegys was sick
but a few days later, upon payment o
the debt interest and cost which had ac
cumulated. amounting to about $500. h
made the assignment to me.
Being in Montreal on business at tn
time. Attorney Rice looked after the mat
ter. and the mortgage and judgment wer
both satisfied with the bank some day
before the suit was brought. have of
fered these parties, and persons WHOM
they have sent to me about this matte,
to re-convey the property at any tim
carry out my promise, which they nav
been inclined tn ignore. and they int.
mated that unless l came to their term
they would give me notoriety and black
mail me. which they are endeavoring I
do.
The facts alleged by the McAndrews |
their bill of equity arc false. concernin
alleged represeEtations that mad
them. or that ] refused to arrange I
have the property re"conveyed. wa
never their attorney In ANYTHING excer
in negotiating the lean, but O'Brien
Kelly were their attorneys.
I suggest the public do not pass opiI
ion until the matter has been determine
by due course Of litigation.
George NJ. Okell.
Sworn and subscribed to this 2ith da
of March. A. d. 1900
Myron Kasson, Alderman.