The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-10-06
THE SEABOARD AIR
LINE NOT AFFECTED
firms OF Middendorf and
Williams lettering.
lHtY ASK INDULGENCE

inc Into Conditions.
by the Associated PI@~.Y

''F 80 80 49,
Baltimore. Md, oct. IA persistent
1umor peryaded the financial district here
To-Day that j. William Mlddendorr ana
Company, OF TINS clty, and John L. Wi
llains & Sons. OF Richmond. Va. were
financially embarrassed. Those IN inter
est declined to discuss the matter during
the afternoon and evening. but late to-
night after a conference which lasted sew
eral hours gave out the following state
ments
In view oil the extraordinary and IN
expected financial situation now existing
~ New York, MeSSrs. John l.. Williams
& Sons, OF Richmond, Va, and j. William
Mlddendorf & Company, OF Baltimore,
have found 1t necessary to ask temporary
indulgence Of their creditors.
The undersigned have, at the request
OF these two firms. consented To act as
an advisory committee to examine into
their condition and promptly report as
appropriate plan OF extension. The com
mIttec Will rocced 10 the immediate er-
torrance OF this duty. In the mean
While they believe it to BE- to the inter-
est Of all concerned, that no legal or 9TH
e. step be taken by individual creditors
to complcate the situation, but that the
present status should in all respects be
maintained for common protection and
benefit.
The above firms estimate that their
assets, lnventoried at current quotations
exceed their liabilities by a very large
amount which Will be naturally augmented
by the restoration OF normal conditions.
In view Of the official relations of Mr..
j. 5. Williams and Mr.. J.. w. Middendorf
with the Seaboard Air Line, they desire
to state that neither firm, nor amy mem
Der thereof IS indebted to that company
and that the Seaboard Air Line Railway
will he N no wise affected by the action
OF Their respective firms in this matter.
(SIgned)
"DOUGLAS H. THOMAS,
DOUGLAS H. GORDON,
"ROBT. c. DAVIDSON,
JOHN b. RAMSAY,
"EUGENE LEVERING,
"BALTIMORE,"
"EPPA HUNTON, JR,
Richmond, Va.
FRANK O.. BRIGGS,
Trenton, N. j.
John Shelton Williams, who was in Bal
timore tonight said that the action ia
ken was occasioned by the inability of
the two firm mentioned above to collect
large sums of money due them and to
realize on securities III the present dis
turbed money markets.
The value OF my firms assets said
Mr.. Williams, is greatly in excess of all
liabilities of every kind, and the present
difficulties Will be only temporary.
None OF the companies in which my
firm and Mr.. Middendorf's are largely in
terested, or with which members of these
firms are officially connected will be af-
fected in any way by the action today. All
OF the properties held by US in excellent
and healthy condition and the outlook
for them, without exception, is bright
and thoroughly satisfactory"
Richmond, Va, Oct. 1.-Eppa Hunton,
Jr, the Richmond membe Of the com
mittee to take charge of the affairs of the
Messrs. Williams and Middendorf, is a son
of General Eppa Hunton, eX-United States
Senator from Virginia, and is a member
of the law firm Of Munford, Hunton. Will
Hams and Anderson, the Williams in the
firm being E. Randolph Williams, a youn-
ger brother of John Shelton Williams.