Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-09

public ONCE has been Of the negative sort
with nothing in it to show unusual ability
or to test character.
westberK's Campaign biography.
In each of the municipal campaigns since
1895 biographical sketches Of Mr.. Westberg
have appeared in the public prints. These
sketches tell us that the subject was
born in Sweden in 1851, came
to America in 1867, to Nebraska
in 1874 and to Omaha In 1879. All
Of the campaign biographies cover the
period from 1885 to 1892 by stating that
Westberg was a membe of the firm of
August Benzon & Co., but a reference
to the omaha city directories for 1890 and
1891 shows that Mr.. Westberg, in prepar-
ing his campaign sketches, must have
stretched the Benzon engagement some,
for no such firm was then in existence.
Mr., Benzon had by that time gone out Of
the ice business and into the real estate
trade. The directories show that West
berg was no longer a partner of Mr.. Ben
ron, but was secretary and treasurer of the
Gate City Ice company, of which BENJAMIN
Melquist was president and Peter d. Matt
son was vice president. The Bee was there
fore tempted to investigate first thai part
Of Mr.. Westberg's record which he had
sighted In his campaign sketches.
1t was impossible to learn anything per-
tanning to Westberg's retirement from the
BenSon firm, for Mr.. BenZon died some
years ago. Mr.. Melquist and Mr.. Madison.
the partners Of Wsstberg In the Gate city
Ice company, are still living In Omaha and
both were ound willing to talk of their
business relations with Westberg.
story of one Partner.
Mr.. Melquist is the proprietor of the
Nebraska Stone company at Fifth and Jones
streets and lives at 1926 South Twenty
seventh street. To a Bee reporter he
said: @
IT was not an active partner In the Gate
City Ice company. but | was one Of the
three stockholders and president, while Mr.
Westberg owned a slight majority OF the
stock and had control Of the business al
secretary and treasurer OF the company
When l went into the ice company had
prosperous stone business and owned from
tS5, 900 to $500 o of good property. anC
when / came out Of It / had nothing. II
the winter the company would borrow
money from the ban to put up ice. II
the summer the Ice would be sold and II
the fall, instead Of having the proceed
OF the sales to pay the notes at the bank
the company would have nothing. / dom
know what became Of the money, but
suppose q part OF it was spent for run
ming expenses and the remainder went {
Mr.. Westberg. At any rate Mr.. Westberp
as manager OF the business. was unabl
to take care Of the company's obligations
The notes had been signed by the com
pany as such and by me and Westberg a
individuals. When the smash came West
berg had no money to pay about $4,000 c
notes and l had to stand for them. / wa
the good man on the paper and the hold
ers took my property.
This unexpected burden from the IL
company's failure involved me so heavil
that / was unable to care for my obligs
lions in my other business and consequent
l was ruined. I had to begin all over agai
In the stone business.
Held WestbeFE's Note.
"As / had to pay the fee company's debt
also became the pOsssssor Of It's asset
which consisted principally OF Mr.. Yves
berg's personal notes in the sum OF 5000
These notes had been Issued to the Il
company by Mr.. Westberg to cover 4
Overdraft in his account with tie con
pany. After a number OF unsuccessful a
tempts to collect this $1,000 from Mr.. Yves
berg after he had become a city o%fhcial, Il
matter was finally disposed OF In the spriI
Of 1900. Then my lawyer told me that
Westbsrg was a candidate for re- sleetiS