Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1903-03-19
MAY PAY FORTY CENTS.
How Gen, W, w. Grout Made and Lost a
foTtuns-Estatc Badly Involved.

The last commissioners meeting on
the estate of ex-Congressman w. W..
Grout was held in st. Johnsbury Friday,
put no definite announcement of the ex-
act condition of the estate can be secured.
The commissioners are the Hon. l.. ID.
Hazen of st. Johnsbury and the Hon.
Horace w. Bailey of Newbury. Ex-Gov-
ernor Josiah Grout of Derby, a brother
OF the late congressman and admins
trait of this estate, was present at the
meeting. just how much the creditors
OF the estate will realize is largely a mat.
ter OF conjecture but conservative esti
mates place it at 40 cents on the dollar.
The story of General CIRCUITS rise and
fall in the financial world is very like
the history of his political career. His
earlier dealings in stocks were attended
with continued successes but later he
reached out for greater things and failed
in the attempt. At the time he retired
from congress General CIRCUITS wealth
was conservatively estimated from one
half to three-quarters of million dol
lars. This was largely the result of re-
markable good luck in Atchison, South
ern Pacific, and copper deals, but since
that time it is evident that the tide has
set the other way.
General CIRCUITS friends say that one
of his weak points in finance was an un-
fortunate tendency to scatter investments
broadcast and to put money into schemes
without thorough investigation of their
worth. Because of this tendency the
estate is now burdened with conglom-
Grafton of stock certificates in what may
almost be termed wildcat schemes scat
tered from California to New Brunswick.
New mining ventures appealed espe-
cially to the general and he put large
amounts of money into them, and much
of this well-nigh worthless stock is now
in the hands of his administrator
1t is said, however, that mining ven
lures did not cause the generals ruin,
but rather was this due to the fact that
he pinned his faith to dollar wheat, and
the dream was not realized. The truth
of this statement is not absolutely
vouched for but the generals financial
friends say that his faith in wheat was
firm, and so thoroughly did he believe in
it that he advised his friends to buy and
hold it. 1t may be said, too, that Gen
eral CIRCUITS advice on stock market mat
tiers was not unwillingly received, for he
was SOllSluCISe q SliIcWu
1t is impossible to learn the probable
value of the estates assets or liabilities,
but it may be presumed that the amounts
involved are not as large as is commonly
reported. 1t is known, however, that
many of the generals friends, political
and otherwise, all up and down the east
side of the state, are on his paper for
amounts which are said to vary from
$1,000 to $4,000, and Senator Proctor is
said to be involved for an amount con-
siderably larger
What will become of the splendid
farm in Kirby, is in doubt. This estate
has been in the Grout family for more
than century and had been the gen.
erals especial pride. Capt. George O.
Ford, brother-in-law of General Grout,
has been manager of the farm for many
years and it is understood that for some
time his salary has been paid by notes.
There is general belief that the estate
will pass pass into Captain Ford's hands.
Whatever is the outcome of the estates
affairs it will be watched with interest
by the entire state.-Montpelier journal.