Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-09
Maine Apple Growers
Testify Against Mills
Have Shipped Much Fruit But
Receive No Payment.
Some Agents Paid for Apples and
Were Not Reimbursed.

Boston, April Sat the trial of wal
ter Mills yesterday in the United
Sttaes district court for alleged illegal
use of the mails nine government Wit
nesses testified to having correspond
ence with the defendant regarding the
shipment Of apples to him for sale on
commission, leaving seven more farm
ers from Maine to tell what they know
about sales in 1907 and the influences
which led to them.
The evidence of yesterday was III
brief as follows:
C, r. Robinson of Harrison, Me-, SAID
he shipped 70 barrels of apples in No
vember, 1907 to Mills, with whom he
had had correspondence; never receiv-
ed payment.
Henry Young of Harrison said he had
letters from Mills in 1907 soliciting con-
signments, quoting prices. etc; shipped
II barrels to Mills in 1905, when the
dealings were satisfactory; shipped
1854 barrels in 1907 fer which he receiv-
ed no money.
George H. Pinkham of Sidney, Me,
agent for Mills in the season of 1919,
said he shipped $50 barrels in January
and February, which he had collected
from others; received no money from
Mills except a check for $3.50 for ser
vices and commissions, Jan. A. Wit
ness had, however, settled personally
with two shippers, ]. w. BlaisdeH and
J. A. Fowle.
Witness followed man named Tllley
as agent, and was introduced to Mills
by Tilley's widow. Witness said he had
two, n of
with Tilley were unsatisfactory, the
latter having paid for some apples on
a guarantee from Mills, VINO did not
reimburse him; but Pinkham learned
that this had been properly adjusted.
bennett 3. JeWett OF Manchester
testified that on Jan. 90 and Feb. 3, 1909
he shipped 81 barrels, on a guarantee
of fair price, but had never received
payment or accounting.
March so, 1908, he wrote to Mills call
ing attention to evasive statements and
unpleasant rumors among shippers, but
received no reply.
John H. Miller Of Oakland, Me-, said
he shipped AZ barrels to Mills, through
his agent, Tilley, in 1904. and received his
money in advance; made one shipment
direct and one through Pinkham in 1907,
but received no payment or account OF
sales; wrote letter to Mills asking why,
but received no reply.
Mayhon p Moore, a grocer. of North
Arson, testified that he shipped 305 bar
rels, for which there had been no pay
ment or accounting; he did receive pay
ment of commissions at 10 cents barrel.
w T. Churchill of New Portland testi
q 10 Ia oh; ,nY,f. oh,
Moore and received neither payment nor
accounting.
Cross-examined, he said he was induced
to ship partly by the quotations sent by
Mills, which were about $1.25 a barrel
more than prices here.
Frank H. Illsley of Limington testified
to correspondence with Mills. Dec. % he
wrote: my firm does not purchase ap
pies nor advance money on them, but /
will guarantee the current price to YOU if
you are acting as agent; l don't make
any claim on you; you are free to sell to
others if you WISH and I wish you luck"
In another letter Mills said: Il can
guarantee an advance in prices"
Jan. 26 Mills wrote: Il hear there is an
awful pile of apples around Parsonsfield
(and vicinity. Take run over and get
all the names, and get someone to help
you load. Give me the names and the
amount of apples they have and will
keep the principal ones posted"
BY consent of Mr.. Sullivan Mr. Cum
ningham introduced a letter from John
Mills & Co. of Manchester, Eng, to Wal
ter Mills of Boston 1t had been discov-
cred among the papers in court, but its
history could not be traced. 1t was dat
ed Jan. S. 1908. and said in part: I'VE
send G23355, returns of shipments on the
SaXonia and Caledonia. There is a good
in the market. We await fur
Their shipments"