The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-05-06

! on their merits. the date to be some weeks
| hence, would be satisfactory TO the courts.
Mr.. CatIin Had Given His Word.
| Two reports which are a matter of COM
ment among the legal lights who are en-
gagged on both sides of the controversy are
Interesting as showing the commercial
! honor that Is encountered In these busy
times.
Several days ago Daniel Catlin was ap-
preached In his Office in the Security build
ing by a man presumed to represent the
Mississippi Valley Trust Company, and
! asked what figure he would name for his
Virgins Ferry stock. Mr.. Catlin replied
that n, he had, had ag-eed 10 sell it, j. to the Mer-
| fore. that he could not entertain any other
offer.
Catlin- You gave the company power Of
agency, and no more"
Young man, l regarded that as con-
a share for the stock, it would go to the
Mercantile Trust Company, That is the
way do business responded Mr.. Catlin.
This is the substance of the interview as
repeated by near friends. though Mr.. Catlin
refuses to discuss the matter.
Judge FinkeInburg Lost $4,000.
Another incident deals with how Judge c.
A. Finkelnburg lost $4,000 because he would
not so back on his word.
Judge Finkelnburg made an agreement
with the Mercantile Trust Company, as did
the other stockholders whose contracts are
in the vaults. that he would sell his TWEEN
ty-eight shares at $3.50 share. The Judge
had barely accepted the offer when he was
retained as counsel by the Mississippi Val
sl,O6J share, but he refused ii and in
formed the Mercantile representatives that
the Mississippi Valley Company was his eli
ent, he held tn this view. The stock, It Is
understood. has been delivered.
Judge Finkelnburg. when asked about the
transaction said ne preferred not to say
anything about it. because it was not le
gal matter. but purely private business
vate affairs discussed. nor did he think the
public was interested in them
Regarded as Significant.
Nevertheless, the incident is regarded as
highly significant by the Rock Island peo-
pie. To have the leading counsel of the
Mississippi Valley Company concede that
the Mercantile contracts were real con-
tracts and not options, as the mississippi
Valley people have contended, is regarded
by them as evidence of weakness on the
part OF the Mississippi Valley side of the
controversy.
Vice President Jones of the Mississippi
Valley Company said:
No one Tor the Mississippi Valley Com
pany asked Judge FInkeinburg for his
stock. l do not believe there is man in
st. Louis who ever questioned Judge Fink
elnhurg's honor or his word. He needs no
guardian and l must refer, you to him for
confirmation of the story
Mercantile Obtains Twenty Shares.
The Mercantile Trust Company late yes
terday afternoon succeeded IN obtaining the
STOCK OF John g. Porter, president OF the
Hope Mining Company. after suit had been
brought against him. thereby adding TWEEN
y shares to its list for the Rock Island
company The suit Is Significant IN that 1t
shows that on April IS the company paid
sl'OOO for Virgins Ferry stock Mr. Porter
owned twenty shares of the stock, and
was one of those who agreed to sell under
the Mercantile contract for $1,000 Later
the Mississippi Valley officials are said to
have offered higher figure. and. on repre-
sentatious that the contract with the Mer-
inIf
posed TO sell to the highest bidder. Late
yesterday afternoon Attorney James L.
Blair filed suit against Mr.. Porter: the
Nlggins Ferry Company and the Mlssis-
sippi Valley Company for 10000 damages
and an injunction. A Deputy Sheriff was
was at once detailed to go with Mr. Blair
to Mr.. Porter's Office. The petition was
read, ana Counsel Blair asked Mr. Porter
which would 1t be-service or suit or sur.
render. Mr.. Porter said he had been out of
the city for some days. and, not being
familiar with the status OF things. agreed
to deliver the stock to the Mercantile Trust
Company. Mr. Blair then announced that
ne would withdraw the suit and so IN
formed the Circuit Clerk
EmpIoye Gets $1,000.
The Virgins Ferry Company yesterday
presented a unique testimonial to one of its
employees who had been in the service for
nifty years. Captain Henry Sackmann was
visited by the Board of Directors in per-
son. set Of resolutions was given him and
a cash gift of S1U0O was placed in his
hands much to his astonishment.
Although the big deal for the control of
the company is pending. it served to delay
only for a few days an act which had been
prearronged by the directors some time ago.