New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-22
HILLS WARNED
OF LUMBER DEALS
Banker Father-in-LaW Re
GREETED His Being Lured
to Speculate.

The Rev. Or. Newell Dwight Hills
had received practically the same ad-
vice which he gave to his congregation
Sunday in his dramatic admission OF
his business failures from the immedi-
ate members of his family prior to his
entering the large timber enterprises
which proved his Waterloo. This ad-
vice was 10 pay less attention to sec
ular affairs and keep away from spec
ulation This was shown yesterday in
letters made public by his former at
torney and business manager, Frank L..
Ferguson
1t appeared also that about two years
ago members of Dr.. Hillis's family had
seriously suggested the appointment of
receiver for his entangled business
affairs. Such a move had been opposed
by Mr.. Ferguson, then acting as his at
torney. The question Of a trusteeship
was also brought up by the relatives,
but neither action was taken on the ad
vice of Mr.. Ferguson.
In DR.. Hillis's statement TO his con-
gregation in Plymouth Church Sunday
he limited at betrayal of his conf
dence in his friends and advisers in
his business undertakings. He said at
one point:
Those in whom ! had most conf
dence advised me that there could be
no doubt of the safety and conserva-
tIsm of the investment Of my funds or
the ability and capacity of those who
had charge of them"
When Mr.. Ferguson was asked yes
terday if he considered that this state
ment reflected on his management Of
Dr. Hillls's affairs he gave out the let
tiers passing between him and X. NJ
Patrick, president of the First Ma
tional Bank. OF Marengo. H., who is
Dr. Hilliss fathcr-in-law, and also a
letter from F. A. Patrick. son of the
bank president, and ms reply. The cor
respondence. in Mr.. Ferguson's opinion,
not only showed that the minister had
been advised by his family against his
speculation in timber lands, but also
that he FERGUSON had been using his
efforts 10 protect DR.. Hills from any
publicity in his unfortunate ventures
and 10 straighten out his affairs.
Letter PRAISES ferguson.
One letter, dated May 26. 1918. from
DR. Hillis's father-in-law, az Marengo,
read, in part.
"Mr. Frank l.. Ferguson. New York
City.
Dear Sir: Your long letter, giving
statement Of Hills's affairs and what
YOU have done TO assist him. received
and carefully read. am glad TO learn
that the situation is improving.
MANY years ago advised DR.. Hills
TO invest his surplus earnings in farm
mortgages. He did so. until he went
TO Brooklyn. Soon after going there
some of his speculative friends made
him think he could do better with his
little fund.
when | learned Of the amount OF
Hillis's Indebtedness. ! decided at once
that ! could not jeopardize the inter
est of the bank or my own interests
in trying 20 help him 10 anw great eX-
tent. and neither of my sons could
afford 20 endanger their interests by
joining in the mammoth undertaking
Of paying his debts.
81 have already advanced him, includ-
ing the bank loan, $4,000 in money.
lie has received the six licenses from
me and FIVE licenses from my son. FIR
nest. which you have used In the sale
made 10 the Western Timber Holding
Company in addition 10 the money ad-
vAnced him. All Of this. with what r.
A Patrick has advanced him. would