The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-07-09
FINED FOR CONTEMPT
Geo. A. Townsend Disobeys an Order
of Court and is Fined 500
Which He Paid.
History Of a Very Queer and Crooked
transaction in Farm Land
and Merchandise.

Judge Searle's court at St. Cloud on
Tuesday was the scene of most interest
ing hearing in which Princeton parties
made up the personae. The case was
one where Geo. A. Townsend was cited
to show cause why he should not be
punished for contempt of court by rea-
son Of the fact that he violated an
| order Of the court on the 10th day of
June by removing a lot of goods stored
| in the St. Anthony & Dakota elevator.
The record of the transaction leading
up to the contempt case is long and
interesting one and to recite the story
| in detail would require several columns
OF space. Several months ago Jabez
| nippon desired to assist his son. Ernest
| Nippon, in a business way and he in
formed him that if he could find good
opening or opportunity to secure good
stock Of goods he would give him half
section Of land which he valued at
$3.50 per acre and on which there was
/ a mortgage Of $500. Ernest began
looking around and in short time
became interested with Geo. A. Town
send and NJ. c. Barry in trade for a
stock of goods in St. Paul. valued at
so, 80 and which invoiced this amount.
Mr.. Rippon advised his father of the
stock Of goods but the elder Nippon
thought the stock too big a one to
handle. Mr. Townsend became inter-
ested in the deal and it is said paid
$3.50 toward the stock, borrowing
$1,000 OF local bank to help out, and
Mr.. Barry endorsed the note of Mr..
Townsend for this amount. It is charged
that when the deal was made blank
checks were passed to the broker to
represent third party's interest in the
stock, and to make it appear that the
full sum of SlO.773o was paid over. Mr..
Rippon paid by deciding his land at
-. 400 toward the stock, and Mr.. Town.
send had in $3.50.
The goods were shipped to Princeton
and stored in the elevator. and there
were thirty-four cases when the stock
was invoiced in St. Paul, but when Mr..
Nippon arrived in Princeton to look
over the goods he claims he could not
get access to them and never saw the
invoice after the goods arrived. In
the meantime Mr. Barry received a
check from Mr. Rippon for $50 commits
| hQ1 7,:1o ,o1-
no further figure in the transaction.
The note Townsend gave the bank and
which was endorsed by Barry was
finally cancelled and Townsend cave
the bank new note which bore sat-
lstactory Endorsements by other parties.
1t is claimed that Ernest Nippon was
urged to sign mortgage with Town
send for $4,000 giving the entire stock
OF goods as security, but he refused to
| do So
| The co-partners in the deal soon be-
gan wrangling over the individual in
terests in the stock, and finally the
elder Rippon asked that receiver be
appointed to take possession of the
goods and sell them and apportion the
money as might be determined. The
court appointed T. H. Galley as receiver
and granted a restraining order forbid
ding owners, agents or employees from
dlspoSing of or in any manner interfer-
Ing with the goods. The order of the
court was served on Townsend person.
ally June 18th, but on the night of June
10th the goods were loaded out and
shipped to West Superior Mr.. Town
send had a party order the car for him
and shipped the goods in the name of
Chas. Wills. Of Nlilaca who. however
appears to have been an innocent
party. After Mr.. Galley had been ap-
pointed receiver he gave bonds for
$4,000 and when he went to- the eleva-
tor to see the goods they we're not
there.
On July 18th Mr.. Townsend by his
attorney appeared in court and stipu-
lated that receiver might be ap-
pointed. In the meantime the goods
had been taken out of the State and
disposed of, so that there was nothing
for receiver to receive.
Mr.. Townsend returned home and
was cited to show cause why he should
not be punished for disobeying the or
der OF the court The order was re-
turnable July I'd, but as Mr.. Townsend
could not be served with the papers
until later the order was returnable on
the 1th and the case was heard bv
Judge Searle at that time.
Townsend was placed on the stand
and closely questioned as to what dis
position he made of the stock. He
stated that he shipped out the goods in
the manner he did to avoid any legal
interference and to get the stock in his
possession. Questioned as to who he