The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-01-18
HOW. HEsWORKED MOSS
Went to Mexico to Make
Blue sky Investment.

mis-, FORMER Gutnrie ana NeWklFh
man, figures, as well as the well
known Paul Jundt and Brewer Moss.
The story, as told by an Oklahoma
City print, follows:
One Of the most gigantic schemes
ever concocted by an Oklahoma Cityan
has been knocked into cooked hat as
a result of a searching investigation
by B. b. Moss, the well known
brewer. In making this Investigation
Mr.. Moss probably saved himself
$4,000.
Last April when s. A. McGinnisi re-
linquished his claim on the Office Of
city attorney and stepped down and
ont of the public eye, he took trip
to Old Mexico and returned within
few weeks with plan which he
unfolded to ten Of his friends. He
stated that while in Mexico he dis
covered an island in the Gulf of Cal
ifornia which was covered by timber
land chat was heavily inoumbered and
that he had taken an option on IT,
He said that If he could organize a
company to put the wheels in motion,
he could secure contracts 20 furnish
lumber for the great Panama canal
and that there would be millions in
it for the company. TIe cited the
millions Of dollars to be expended for
lumber Ia the construction of this ca
nal and intimated that because Of
bis personal acquaintance with the
president. having been rough rider
with the president during the Span
ish-Ameriean wsr. he could secure a
contract through the aid OF Mr..
Roosevelt II is alleged that Mr.. Nc
Ginnisi made the statement that this
island could be purchased for the
sum of $500. He put up a great ar
gument In support Of his scheme, and
the Oklahoma cityans became inter-
ested They saw fiattering prospects
and millions floating before their very
eyes. All saw an opportunity TO be
come milllonaires within a short space
Of sme McGinnis then proceeded
to organize company OF ten mem
bers, which included, among others,
Bert McFadden, G. L. Woodward. o.
l.. Pipher, T. A. Blaise. Colcord &
shipp, and others. At the first meet
ing the stockholders advanced in one
lump the sum of s2,5OO, which was to
be used in securing the island 10 the
Gulf OF California. After securing this
money. McGinnis left for the City of
Mexico, where he was to close up
the deal and sign the necessary pa
pers. A few weeks passed and the
captain returned 10 oklahoma City
with statement TO the effect that
he had been summoned to Washing
ton to meet Mr. shonts. the TT OF
the Panama canal and the man wna
had the letting of the contracts. lie
also stated that he was TO have an
interview with the president. Ac-
cording to the information obtained
by reporter at that time. McGinnls
demanded more money for his Wash
ington trip. which was furnished. He
went to the national capital. where J 9
spent couple OF weeks and then re
turned to Oklahoma City He is al
legged to have made the statement after
his return that he had made arrange
nents TO build a mill on the island for
+, "a Jparing the lumber, and thtaeh ID
preparing the lumber aud that he had
found men OF great wealth who were
eager 10 take stock In the company
This statement Immediately caused
the stock to go UP and the Oklahoma
Cityans. believing that they had mil
lions in sight. decided not to place any
of the stock on the market
A meeting OF the stockholders was
held. at which McGinnis made the
statement n he would have to make
another trip to Mexico to see about in
stailing the mill More money was
demanded for the trip TO the Gulf Of
California. and the money was imme
diately furnished McGinnis went tS
the City of Mexico and returned 4
Oklahoma City. showing kilograms De
manding his presence Ia Washington
he was given more money and SEN
on his journey to the worlds pclitica
Mecca And soon again he returne,
20 this city with glowing account
Of the success OF his mission He Il
alleged 10 have made the statement
that he had made a contract TO fur
nish lumber for the canal at $50 8
thousand feet. and that there woul,
be millions IN H. Bert McFadden
then city auditor ana member Of th'
firm Of snodgrass 4 McFsdden, gayl
up his position. which paid $500
year, and began to shape up his al
fairs in order TO 70 70 Mexico to hay'
look at the situation. He was b