The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-03-19
GEN. GROUT'S EST1TE.

st. Johnsbury, March 10. The last
commissioners meeting on the estate
of congressman W. W. Grout was
held here today but no definite an
nouncement of the exvct condition of
the estate can be secured. The COM
missioners are the Hon l.. d. Hazen
of this town and the Hon. Horace w.
Bailey of Newbury. Ex-Gov. Josiah
Grout Of Derby, brother of the
late Congressman and administrator
of this estate, was present at the meet
ing, Just how much the creditors of
the estate will realize is largely "a
matter of conjecture but conservative
estimates place it at forty cents on the
dollar.
@The story of Gen. CIRCUITS rise and
fail in the financial world is very like
the history of his polictical career.
His earlier dealings in ks was at
tended with continued succe sses but
later he reached out for greater things
and failed in the attempt. At the
time he retired from Congress Gen.
CIRCUITS wealth was conservatively es-
timated from one half t. three quar-
tiers of million dollars. This was
largely the result of remarkable good
luck in Atchison, Southern Pacific,
and copper deals, but since that time
1t i; evident that the tide has set the
other way
Gen. CIRCUITS friends say that one
of his weak points in finance was an
unfortunate tendency to scatter invest
ments broadcast and to put money into
schemes without thorough investi-
cation of their worth. Because of
this tendency the estate is now burd-
ened with conglomeration of stock
certificates in what may almost be
termed wildcat schemes scattered from
California to New Brunswick.
New mining ventures appealed es-
pecially 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 ad-
ministrator.
1t is said, however, that mining
ventures did not cause the general Is
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 alb.
solutely vouched for but the general
financial friends say that his faith il
wheat was firm, and so thoroughly die
he believe in it that he advised hit
friends to buy and hold it. 1t may
be said, too, that Gen. CIRCUITS advice
on stock market matters was not un
willingly received. for he was consid
cred shrewd judge.
1t is impossible to learn the prob
able value of the estates assets O.
liabilities, but it may be presumed
that the amounts involved are not a
large as is commonly reported. 1t i
known, however, that many of TIL
generals friends, political and other
wise, all up and down the east side o
the State, are on his paper for amount
which are said to vary from 81, 00C
to $40, 900, and Senator Proctor is sal
to be involved for an amount consid
erably larger.
What will become of the splendi
farm in Kirby, is in doubt. Thi
estate has been in the Circuit famil
for more than century and has beel
the generals especial pride. Capt
George O. Ford. brother-in-la o
General Grout, has been manager o
the farm for many years and it is un
derstood that for some time his ;alar
has been paid by notes. There is
general belief that the e state will pas
into Capt. Ford hands. s So.
Whatever is the outcome of TIL
estates affairs it will be swatche
with interest by the entire State