The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-12-04
He Leaves Numerous Reminders OF His
Brief Residence in Mankato.
Was Promoter of Schemes. But
He Couldn't Make Good.
Harry Alexander Cut Considerable of a
Dash On Short Allowance.
Piano Man Receivers His Musical In
strument-- Others Hunt In.
From Fridays Daily.


Harry Alexander DeVaux of Worlds
stock food, jag cure, refrigerator and
garbage can fame, has-to express it in
the language of the street. lowed the
| town." leaving number of reminders
of his residence here in the shape of UNI
paid bills. DeVaux was young Ma
poleon of finance, little fellow with
large ideas of how to accumulate wealth,
but lacked the capacity to carry out
the schemes of which he was a ready
promoter. He acted like men who take
shot of the dope" and Immediately
thereafter they commence to borrow
from themselves large punches of money.
DeVaux installed a stock food plant
in Mankato couple of years ago, com
ing here from Sleepy Eye. where his
career, so it is said, was none too good,
some serious charges having been laid
at his door. Mankato business men
subscribed to $500 worth of stock in or
der to locate this man and his con-
Germ here, and not one of them ever re-
ceived a cent in return, so far as The
Free Press has been able to learn. After
DeVaux's arrival in Mankato he cut
wide swath-in his own estimation
He drove a spanking pair of white
ponies and lived higher than his income
would allow. Finally the stock food
plant fell into legal meshes and there
was some litigation. Mrs. DeVaux's
father died and left her small sum of
money enough, however, to enable her
to gain possession of the plant, which
consisted of a gasoline engine and a
few other pieces of machinery, a broom.
and a water pail, together with safe
and office furniture Once more Harry
Alexander was in high feather, and try
ing to Guido the Vanderbilts in high
living stunt He rode in an automobile,
out on these pleasure jaunts he would
have hired man servant who pulled the
boat ores and baited the hook, while
Harry Alexander lay back in the boat
smoking the finest of cigars and with his
dreamy eyes half closed he would re-
volve in his brain numerous plans where
by he could do a turn which would
cause the natives to open their optics in
wonder
1t is not known just when Harry Alex
ander DeVaux departed from Mankato,
but it was during the present week. 1t
is learned that he gave out before 60
ing that he was to spend a few days
in St.. Paul, after which he was. to
travel out of Chicago.
Of late De Vaux and his family resided
in North Mankato, renting house from
Peter Christensen at SOP Charles street,
One report is that Mr.. DeVaux left town
Wednesday evening, going north being
accompanied as far as st. Paul by
young Otto Koppen, John Koppen's son,
as far as st. Paul if not farther. The
rest of the family are thought to have
gone to Chicago.
Creditors claiming only small sums are
wondering whether they will ever have
the pleasure of meeting their former
townsman again. Louis Janda, who held
a chattel mortgage for 1928 against the
family furniture, had all of these chat
tells made over to him by Mr.. DeVaux
during the early part of the week.
Others not so fortunate were seen call
ing at the house more or less all day
Wednesday. Those to whom only few
dollars were owed don't seem particu-
larly worried but chat with interest
about the man.
1t is said that just before he left town
DeVaux was successful in borrowing
500 from friend.