The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-01-17
THEY FIND HEAVY SHORTAGE
Jolt for Cooperative Livestock Asso
citation.

WEBSTER CITY, Iowa, Jan. IL
Suit has been instigated at North
wood by the Farmers Mutual Coop
erative Livestock association of Ken
sett Worth county, to recover 5000
which Manager F. E. Ellingston, Book
keeper T. S. Bakken and Treasurer
Haugen are alleged to have misappro-
priated. The affair has caused a SEN
sation on account of the prominence
of the men charged with the wrongdo-
ing, and from the further fact that
Iowa's first cooperative concern has
gone hard upon the financial shoals.
Nearly 400 farmers are members Of the
association.
The matter was brought to a crisis
at the annual meeting at Kensett.
Nearly all the members were present
and when the report of the expert ac-
countant, Hort Francisco. who had
been engaged to examine the books,
was read, they became wildly excited.
Francisco claimed that there was a
shortage of about $1,000, when there
should have been surplus of $4,000.
Ellingson and the others were repre-
sented at the meeting by Attorney
Johnson of Northwood. First, Mr..
Johnson asked the members to re-
elect theyold officers, but the farmers
refused. Then he pleaded to have the
case adjusted out of court. The far
mers would not listen to this either,
and adjourned without taking definite
action. Some of the leading members
evidently got together after the meet
ing, as the suit was filed.
Treasurer Haugen is nephew Of
Congressman Gilbert N. Haugen of this
state. He is also cashier of the Bank
of Kensett. of which Congressman
Haugen is president.
While Haugen is not directly charged
with being responsible for the loss. he
is made joint defendant in the action
on the charge of cashing checks drawn
by Ellingson for purposes other than
the organization was supposed to be
interested in.
On account of Congressman Haugen
being president of the Bank of Kensett,
in which the society had it's funds de-
posted, many of the farmers who are
hit are blaming him. The cooler ones,
however, exonerate him.
It is also claimed that Bakken, the
bookkeeper, was aware that the funds
of the organization were being misap-
propriated.
The members of the association
make open charges that Manager Ell
lingson has been using their funds in
speeulations ON the board of trade.
Ellingson has been connected with the
organization and has always been
highly thought of in the community.
The organization, is one of the
strongest co-operatives in the state,
and has been very successful. 1t is in
corporated and every year has been
amassing a surplus for working capi-
tai instead Of declaring the. entire
earnings as dividend. In this way 1t
is said that $4,000 was accumulated.
Professor Towle, formerly OF this
city but now of Little Falls. Mimi,
has sold out his business at that point
ana accepted position as manager
Of the travel department Of the Bureau
OF University Travel Of Boston. His
headquarters will be in Boston, where
he will spend about seven months OF
the year. During the remaining 1--WE
months he will be in Europe, Asia and
Africa.
The university tours are limited TO
twenty persons and are largely in the
nature Of a finishing arascompletion OF
college and university Nudes. They
are mapped out with special reference
to certain lines of study and upon the
cruise lectures are delivered.
Jewelry Sale--kor one week stne
Martin. Jewelry Company will sell the