Merchants National Bank (Rutland, VT)

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Episode Information

Episode UID
331101203
Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
33110 national
Charter Number
3311
Start Date
March 26, 1900
Location
Rutland, Vermont (43.611, -72.973)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
13896f1dc50d7ddd

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
96.5%
Date receivership started
1900-03-26
Date receivership terminated
1906-03-31
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
35.1%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
17.2%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
47.7%

Description

Bank closed by comptroller and placed in receiver's hands after cashier's embezzlement; later dividend payments from receiver reported.

Events (4)
1. February 25, 1885 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. March 26, 1900 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
3. March 26, 1900 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Bank Examiner D. D. Muir has been appointed temporary receiver by the controller of the currency today.
Source
newspapers
4. March 26, 1900 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Cashier Charles W. Mussey confessed large embezzlement/shortage (reported ~$145,000; later estimates up to $230โ€“240,000) leading to suspension by the comptroller.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Merchants' National Bank of this city closed its doors today and the cashier, Charles W. Mussey, is under arrest, charged with the misappropriation of the funds of the bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (21)
1. March 26, 1900 Evening Star Washington, DC
Article from Evening Star, March 26, 1900

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BANK CLOSES ITS DOORS. Cashier of the Merchants' National of Rutland Under Arrest. RUTLAND, Vt., March 26.-The Merchants' National Bank of this city closed its doors today and the cashier, Charles W. Mussey, is under arrest, charged with the misappropriation of the funds of the bank. The exact amount of the shortage will not be Known until after a thorough examination of the bank's books, which is now in progress, has been completed. The closing of the bank was a complete surprise to the business community of Rutland. J. A. Mead, the president, is well known in commercial circles, and besides being the head of the Merchants' Bank is president of the State Trust Company. The trust company, however, is not affected by the suspension of the national bank. The closed institution is in charge of National Bank Examiner D. D. Muir, who was appointed temporary receiver by the controller of the currency today. Mr. Muir recently discovered evidence which led him to belleve an inspection of the accounts of the bank was necessary. It soon appeared that the finances of the institution were in a condition which called for the arrest of the cashier and a more thorough and systematic investigation was begun. The controller of the currency has received word that the Merchants' National Bank of Rutland, Vt., closed its doors this morning. Following is the synopsis of the report of the condition of the bank made to the controller of the currency under the call of February 13, 1900: Liabilities: Capital, $100,000; surplus and profits, $3,383; due to depositors, banks and bankers, $351,549; circulation, $21,870. Resources: Loans and discounts, $361,363; other assets, including cash, $115,438; total, $476,802. Bank Examiner D. D. Muir has been appointed temporary receiver.

2. March 26, 1900 Las Vegas Daily Optic Las Vegas, NM
Article from Las Vegas Daily Optic, March 26, 1900

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Four Bank Failures. Keene, N. H., March 26-The bank commissioners of New Hampshire have filed petitions with the clerk of the Cheshire county supreme court, asking that assignees be appointed for the Keene Guaranty Savings bank, and the Keene Five Cents Savings bank. Neither bank has received deposits of late, owing to the general belief that they sustained losses through western investments. Five Cents owes $1,449,058. Guaranty Savings bank $718,873. Washington, March 26-The comptroller of the treasury received word that the Merchant's national bank, of Rutland, Vermont, had closed this morning. Rutland, Vt., March 26-The Merchant's national bank closed its doors today. Cashier Charles W. Mussey is under arrest charged with misappropriation of funds. The amount of shortage is not known. The following is a synopsis of the report of the condition of the bank made by comptroller of currency under call of February 13th: Liabilities, capital $100,000; surplus and profits $3,383, due depositors and bankers $351,549; circulation $21,870. Resources: loans discounts $361,363; other assets including cash $115,438. Bank Examiner D. D. Muir has been appointed temporary receiver. Rutland, Vt., March 26-It is announced that the shortage of Cashier Mussey amounts to $145,000. The cashier was arrested at Albany, N.Y.

3. March 26, 1900 The Providence News Providence, RI
Article from The Providence News, March 26, 1900

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BANK CLOSES DOORS AND CASHIER IS ARRESTED. Bank Examiner D. D. Muir was apRutland, Vf,, March 26.-The Merpointed temporary receiver: Following chants National Bank closed doors tois the synopsis of the report of the cone day, and the cashier, Charles W. Mus+ dition of the bank made to the comp. troller of the currency under the call sey, is under arrest, charged with the February 13, 1900: Liabilities-Capital misappropriation of funds of the bank. $100,000: surplus and profits $3,088; due The exact amount of shortage will not depositors. banks and bankers $351,5495 circulation $21,870. Resources-Leans be made known until after a thorough and discounts $361,363; other assets inexamination of the bank's books, which cluding cash $115,486. is now in progress, has been completed.

4. March 27, 1900 The Daily Morning Journal and Courier New Haven, CT
Article from The Daily Morning Journal and Courier, March 27, 1900

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) 1 CASHIER CONFESSES TO A SHORTAGE OF $145,000. The Merchants National, Formerly One of the Strongest Institutions in Vermont, on the Verge of Ruin-Its Doors 1 Closed-$351,000 Due Depositors-The $ Cashier Under Arrest-Deceived the Bank Examiner. Rutland, Vt., March 26.-With its doors closed fast, and its cashier, Charles W. Mussey in jail, having confeesed a shortage of $145,000, the Merchants' National bank of this city, formerly one of the strongest institutions the in the state, stands to-night on verge of ruin, unless its stockholders come to its assistance and help the remaining assets to pay off the $351,000 due its innocent depositors. Mussey confessed his guilt in the early hours of the morning to the entire board A1- of directors, having come back from bany at the earnest solicitation of the a detective, who traced him to when he before his employers pear local New York capital failed late Satur- to close apday afternoon. He remained in detention in the bank all day, practically under arrest in a civil suit brought the bank for $50,000, but States authorities, United by the after affairs, to-night an for- examination into the bank mally arrested him on a charge of embezzlement and lodged him in the county jail. It is understood that the United bail circuit court has placed his Coincident with at came the closing confession States $100,000. of the Mussey's the busi- muof H. McClure, jr., which, according to the cashier, has been the ness sion sical of of store the supported confes- of wholly or in part by the funds bank. Mussey's story of his peculations familiar from the bank has a very sound, beginning as they did nearly six years ago with a comparatively and gradually increasing to amount became too until small the amount great the naremain hidden. Still, even was tional bank examiner, D. D. Muir, few deceived by the cashier only a being months ago, the entire deficit large to appear good through a made number of forged notes which Mussey inserted. Mussey told the directors to-day that ago loaned McClure $2.000 six years the amount was 1 however, other diSince and he that then, loans of returned. the were the knowledge I the ball rolled up t as much again as directors made half without until the the to entire the a sum stock of the bank. Still would t capital rectors and of remained in the dark, their I been there to-day if one from t have last week had not heard loans to number outside source of Mussey's arrived t an McClure. The inevitable day called a Saturday when Mussey was for the t before last the board and asked i bank's assets. 1 put on a bold face and at to once the T offered Mussey to go across the street securities. a deposit vaults for the for him $ The safe directors waited an hour The then sent for a detective. fi and went from the bank to his dollars house I cashier where he took a few hundred detectives N then left the city. The in A1C and up with him yesterday p caught and had little trouble in persuadH to return without m. a He arrived here at bany ing papers. him extradition 2:45 who a. for F once more faced the men 1) and years had trusted him implicitly. had is many directors in the meantime were p learned The of the shortage, but none that the g ready for Mussey's statement While the c total amount was $145,000. close p directors had already decided prepared to o bank, none of them was C the such a large shortage and Mussey's W was received a President J. A. Mead, statement nation. for with besides who conster- being is known businees man head of the State Trust exwell the affected. company, was which happily is not H ju tremely reticent to-day as to the con- that dition of the bank, but admitted be asin the stockholders might have to sessed. ju a This forenoon, after Mussey had instituted made cu his confession the directors $7 suit against him for $50,000, attaching is te all al his property, which unfortunately the sh extensive. In the meantime examiner arrived and ex bank not examining spent the the of the day in This afternoon was found to lead to an books. dence balance sufficient the arrest local eviand a warrant was issued by m court. Mussey was taken quietly over toha jail and will be arraigned ce before the United Late this at morrow to missioner. the afternoon States appointed Bank coma Examiner D. D. Muir was m temporary receiver of the bank. W ed The Comptroller Notified. March 26 The name

5. March 27, 1900 The Portland Daily Press Portland, ME
Article from The Portland Daily Press, March 27, 1900

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RUINED HIS BANK. A Vermont Cashier Has Gone Wrong. C. W. Mussey Confesses to Defalcation of $145.000. Merchants Bank of Rutland Victim. Has Closed Doors and is in Hands of Receiver. Rutland, Vt., March 26. -The Merchants' National bank of Rutland closed its doors today and the cashier, Charles W. Mussey, is under arrest, charged with misappropriation of the funds of the bank. The exact amount of shortage will not te known until after a thorough examination of the bank's books, which is now in progress, has been completed. Bank Examiner D. D. Muir was appointed temporary receiver of the bank by the comptroller of the currency. Following is the synopsis of the report of the condition of the bank made to the comptroller of the currency under the call of February 18, 1900: Liabilities: capital, $100,000; surplus and profits, $3,388; due to depositors banks and bankers, $51,492, circulation, $21,870 resources; loans and discounts, $861,363; other assets including cash, $115,436 The closing of the bank was a complete surprise to the business community of Rutland. J. A. Mead, the president is a well known business man and besides being head of the Merchants bank is president of the State Trust company. This institution, however, is not affected by the suspension of the national bank. The closed institution is in charge of National Bank Examiner D. D. Muir, who was appointed temporary receiver by the comptroller of the currency this forencon. Mr. Muir has had his eye on the bank for some time, and recently he had reason to believe that there was a leakage in its funds. A hurried investigation led to the detention of Cashier Muir. An examination of the books is in prograss. At two o'clock this afternoon it was announced that the shortage of Cashier Mussey amounted to $145 000. The cashie had left the state and was arrested in Albany, N. Y. Cashier Mussey reached here from Albany at an early hour, and later he admitted to the government officials that he had misappropriated the bank's funds and had falsified the accounts. Mussey remained in close detention in the bank all day, practically under arrest in a civil suit brought by the bank for $50,000, but tonight the United States authorities after an examination into the bank's affairs, formally arrested bim on a charge of embezzlement and lodged him in the county jail. It is understood that the United States circuit court has placed his bail at $100,000. Cc-incident with Mussey's confession came the closing of the musical store of H. A. McClure, Jr., the business of which, according to the confession of the cashier, has been supported wholly or in part by the funds of the bank. Mussey's story of his speculations from the bank have a very familiar sound, beginning as they did nearly six years ago with a comparatively small amount nd gradually increasing until the attunt became too great to remain hidde Still, even the national bank examiner, D. D. Muir, was deceived by the cashier only a few months ago, the entire deficit being made to appear good through a large number of forged notes which Mussey inserted. Mussey told the directors this morning that he loaned McClure $2,000 six years ago and that the]amount was returned. Since then, however, other loans were made without the knowledge of the directors until the ball rolled up to the suth half as much again as the entire capital stock of the bank. Still the directors remained in the dark and would have been there today if one of their number last week had not heard from an outside source of Mussey's loans to McClure. The inevitable day arrived last Saturday when Mussey was called before the board and asked for the bank's a sets. Mussey put on a bold face and at once offered to go across the street to the safe deposit for the securities. The directors waited an hour for his and them sent for a detective. The cashier went from the bank to his house where be took & few hundred dollars and then

6. March 27, 1900 The Sun Wilmington, DE
Article from The Sun, March 27, 1900

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VERMONT BANK QUITS. Cashier of a Rutland Institution Under Arrest. EXACT SHORTAGE UNKNOWN Bank's President Head of the State Trust Company, Which, However, Is Not Affected by the Suspension. Rutland, Vt., March 26.-The Merchants' National bank of Rutland has closed its doors, and the cashier, Charles W. Mussey, is under arrest charged with the misappropriation of the funds of the bank. The exact amount of the shortage will not be known until after a thorough examination of the bank's books, which is now in progress, has been completed. The closing of the bank was a complete surprise to the business community of Rutland. J. A. Mead, the president, is well known in commercial circles and besides being the head of the Merchants' bank is president of the State Trust company. The trust company, however, is not affected by the suspension of the National bank. The closed institution is in charge of National Bank Examiner D. D. Muir, who has been appointed temporary receiver by the comptroller of the currency. Mr. Muir recently discovered evidence which led him to believe an inspection of the accounts of the bank was necessary. It soon appeared that the finances of the institution were in a condition which called for the arrest of the cashier, and a more thorough and systematic investigation was begun. The officers of the Merchants' National bank are as follows: President, J. A. Mead; cashier, Charles W. Mussey; directors, J. N. Baxter, E. C. Tuttle, N. P. Kingsley, S. L. Griffith, H. H. Brown, S. K. Burbank and F. C. Partridge, The following is the synopsis of the report of the condition of the bank made to the comptroller of the currency under the call Feb. 13, 1900: Liabilities.-Capital, $100,000; surplus and profits, $3,383; due to depositors, banks and bankers, $351,549; circulation. $21,870. Resources.-Loans and discounts. $361, 363: other assets, including cash, $115,436.

7. March 27, 1900 The Portland Daily Press Portland, ME
Article from The Portland Daily Press, March 27, 1900

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CASHIER UNDER ARREST. A Rutland National Bank Closes Its Doors. $ Rutland, Vt, 'March 26.-The Merchants' ional bank of Rutland closed its doors today and the cashier, Charles W. Mussey, is under arrest, charged with missppropriation of the funds of the bank. The exact amount of shortage will not be known until after a thorough examination of the bank's bcoks, which is now in progress, has been completed. Bank Examiner D. D. Muir was appointed temporary receiver of the bank by the comptroller of the currency. Following is the synopeis of the repor t of the cond Ition of the bank made to the comptreller of the currency under the call of February 13, 1900: L labilities: capital, $100,000; surplus and profits, $3,383; due to depositors banks and bankers, $51,492, circulation, $21,870 resources; loans and discounts, $861,368; other asseth including cash, $115,436. The closing of the bank was a complete surprise to the business community of Rutland. J. A. Mead, the president is a well known business man and besides being head of the Merchants bank is president of the State Trust company. This institution, however, is not affected by the suspension of the national bank. The closed institution is in charge of National Bank Examiner D. D. Muir, who was appointed temporary receiver hy the comptroller of the currency this forencon. Mr. Muir has had his eye on the bank for some time, and recently he had reason to believe that there was a leakage in its funds. A hurried investigation led to the detention of Cashier Muir. An ex: amination of the books is in progress. At two o'clook this afternoon it was announced that the shortage of Cashier Mussey amounted to $145,000. The cashie had left the state and was arrested in Albany, N. Y. Cashier Mussey reached here from A1bany at an early hour, and later he admitted to the government officials that he had misappropriated the bank's funds and had falsified the accounts.

8. March 28, 1900 The Vermont Watchman Montpelier, VT
Article from The Vermont Watchman, March 28, 1900

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Merchant's National. The Merchant's National bank of Rutland did not open its doors Monday morning. It understood the assets have been affected and the bank will be closed pending an investigation by a committee of the direct ors. Some interesting developments are expected as the result of the investigation. Certain assetts have been impaired and the cashier, Charles W. Mussey, was asked Monday tojexplain certain discrepancies in accounts. Experts are at work on the books. The officers of the bank are: President, J. A. Mead; cashier, Charles W. Mussey; directors, J. A. Mead, E. C. Tuttle, N. P. Kingsley, S. L. Griffith, H. H. Brown, S. K. Burbank, F. C. Partridge and W. R. Page The capital stock is $100,000. Senator Proctor is said to be one of the heavy stockholders. The bank was, by order of the comptroller of the currency, placed in the hands of D. D. Muir, temporary receiver. With its doors closed and its cashier, Charles W. Mussey in jail, after having confessed to a shortage of $146,000, the Merchants' National Bank of Rutland, formerly one of the strongest institutions in the State, stands on the verge of ruin, unless its stockholders come to its assistance and help the remaining assets to pay off the $351,000 due to its innocent depositors. Mussey confessed his guilt to the entire board of directors, he having come back from Albany at the earnest solicitation of a local detective, who traced him to the New York capital when he failed to appear before his employers late Saturday afternoon. He remained in close detention in the bank all day Monday, practically under arrest in a civil suit brought by the bank for $50,000 but Monday night the United States authorities formally arrested him on a charge of embezzlement. Ball was fixed at $100,000 which he could not raise and went to jail.

9. March 31, 1900 The Democratic Advocate Westminster, MD
Article from The Democratic Advocate, March 31, 1900

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News of the Week. D. Appleton & Co., the well-known publishers of New York city, have failed. Strikes have greatly delayed the completion of the Czar' Transsiberian Railway. Thirty-six bicycle factories have been closed for lack of business in Germany in a year. Sarah Paxson, aged 91 years, died Monday, near Lambertville, N. J., the result of fall. From 1870 to the close of 1899 there were 9,575 lives lost in and about the coal mines of Pennsylvania. An official estimate of the damage to property in Prussia last year from flood shows an approximate total of 21,000,000 marks. Two savings banks at Keene, N. H. have been placed in the hands of receivers. One owes $1,449,058, and the other $718,873. -The Bachman Planing Mill at Columbia, Pa., owned by the Columbia First National Bank, was burned Monday; loss $15,000. Miss Dunning, the daughter of a rich tobacco merchant of Paterson, N. J., married one of her father's delivery wagon drivers on Saturday last. After a quarrel with her lover in Pater N.J., on Sunday Miss Anne Volande son, laid her head on a railroad track and allowed a train to decapitate her. The Merchants' National Bank of Rut land, Vt., has closed its doors, and its cashier, Charles W. Mursee, arrested on the charge of misappropriation of funds. As a result of a conference at Chicago a few days ago of manufacturers of wagons, carriages, ect., an average advange of 20 per cent. over the old scale is now in effect. Thirteen young girl students of the Western Seminary for Girls, in Oxford,O. have been suspended for indecorous conduct in holding an initiation in a cemetery vault. The several Mormon colonies in Chihua hua, Mexico, have been increased in pop ulation by the arrival of over 5000 Mor mon immigrants from Utah during the last two months. Robert Baldwin Davidson, the oldest alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania and the oldest member of the Philadelphia, Pa., Stock Exchange, died Monday, aged 91 years. Charles Scott nearly killed his wife and her mother by gashing them in the head and face with a chisel at their home in Owosso, Mich., Sunday night, and then committed suicide. The plant of the Hanover (Pa.) Foun dry & Machine Company has been leased to the Automatic Packing & Labeling Company, of New York, which will soon begin operations with 80 hands. The Berwind White Coal Mining Com pany, at Windber, Pa., has increased the wages of its 10 000 employes 20 per cent which makes their earnings the highest received for mining in 30 years. The Delaware Railroad has notified its agents not to receive for shipment any of the bids to be killed by Milford people under contract to furnish New York mil liners with 2000 crows and blackbirds. In order to prevent futher exposure, the Frick Carnegie Company have settled and new reorganization charter has been a signed by the thirty six parties interested, who subscribe to $160,000,000 of the stock. The Comptroller of the Currency says that 400 national banks are in process of organization under the provisions of the Financial bill. approved March 14, 1900 With the exception of 10 or 12 each will have a capital of $25,000 Spreading rails wrecked the fast mail, south bound, on the Atlanta and West Point Railway, near Cusetta, Alabama, Monday. The express messenger was killed. a baggageman fatally injured and several passengers hurt. The clockmakers of the Black Forest, Germany have taken preliminary steps to turn the entire industry there into a large company, with capital supplied by Berlin financiers, and to devote especial attention to the manufacture of American clocks. Germany for the first time in its history, is unable to employ about a million toilers, not for lack of work, but because of lack of fuel and raw stuffs. The Austrian coal strike is partly responsible for this, and all the industries are overcrowded with or ders, the iron industry being the most af fected, the Prussian Government alone having recently placed orders for 600 locomotives and 9600 cars. James Dunlap, one of the most noted safe blowers and bank robbers in the coun was arrested in Chicago Saturday evening try, with a satchel full of safe blower tools in his hand. He is best known in police circles for having helped to rob the Northampton National Bank, of Northampton, Mass., in 1876. He served about twenty years for that robbery, then went to Chicago and opened a saloon. The contest over the will of the late Governor Charles Polk, which has been in the Probate Court of Kent county, Delaware, for forty years, was decided Satur day last, by Register Harrington. The late Governor's will in 1858 disposed of a farm on the Delaware Bay Shore of 1100 acres. William A. Polk the executor, died before fully settling the estate, and a contest arose between Theodore Polk, a descendant of the Governor, and Mrs Jo senh Truitt. a niece. The decision of

10. March 31, 1900 Martinsburg Herald Martinsburg, WV
Article from Martinsburg Herald, March 31, 1900

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NEWS OF THE WEEK. Happenings of the Wide World Briefly and Tersely Told. Former Governor Stone of Mississippi died from erysipelas at Holly Springs, Miss. The Belgian state railways have ordered 12 locomotives from Philadelphia for September delivery. The Kansas City chief of police has offered to pay $25 out of his salary for the body of each highwayman killed in that city. The commencement of work on New York's rapid transit tunnel was celebrated on Saturday. with elaborate ceremonies. More than 8,000 women have registered in Cleveland in order to be eligible to vote for a director of schools at the spring election. The new United States naval hospital at Mare Island, Cal., has been completed and is ready to be turned over to the government. Thirty-two students at Lawrenceville (N. J.) academy have been sent to their honres to prevent the spread of diphtheria prevalent there. The Merchants' National bank of Rutland. Vt., has closed its doors, and the cashier has been arrested, charged with misappre; riation of funds. One man was killed and two men were injured by the premature explosion of a blasting charge in the copper mine near Somerville, N. J., on Friday. The jury in the trial of Camden (N. J.) reporters for publishing a report of an alleged confession of Eli Shaw was discharged, being unable to agree. George Eastman, treasurer of the Eastman Kodak company, has given to the Rochester Athenรฆum and Mechanics' institute property valued at $200,000. One million three hundred and three thousand dollars for the payment of Uncle Sam's soldiers in the Philippines left the New York subtreasury Tuesday. The sale of Wallace-Estill of Aberdeen Angus breeding cattle at Chicago broke all previous records. Seventy-two head brought a general average of $579 each. Admiral Watson has sailed from Manila for Hongkong on the cruiser Brooklyn. It is expected that be will transfer his command to Admiral Remey at that port. The funeral of Edward B. Webster, Jr., private of the Ninth infantry, who was killed on July 18 last near San Luis in the Philippines, was held at Genevร , N.Y. Two cases of plague in Honolulu have been reported since the 15th inst. One victim was a Chinaman, the other a Hawaiian, a guard employed by the board of health. The trials of the new Cunard steamer Ivernia, built for the Liverpool-Boston service, proved every way satisfactory. The Ivernia will sail for New York on April 14. Twelve thousand dollars was realized from a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York city for the benefit of the Red Cross and Maine hospital ship relief funds. Fire has destroyed the plant of the Taber Felt works at Fredonia, N. Y., entailing a loss to the building and stock of $25,000. As a result about 50 employees will be thrown out of work. Michael Mellegin, boatswain's mate of the United States gunboat Machias, was killed and his brother Edward, fireman on the cruiser New York, was shot in the hip in a street fight at Galveston. Nearly 100 recruits have deserted from Fort Slocum, N. Y., within the past few weeks because of the delay in sending recruits at that station to Manila. Nearly 1,000 men are quartered there. Olga Nethersole, Hamilton Revelle, Theodore Moss and Marcus R. Mayer were indicted on Thursday afternoon by the grand jury for the production of "Sapho" at Wallack's theater, New York city. The fast mail on the Atlanta and West Point was wrecked at Ossanippa creek, Ga. One man, Reuben J. Oslin of Atlanta, express messenger, was killed and 15 people injured, some of them seriously. Captain Thomas Wilen, president of the Central National bank of Cleveland and a widely known vessel owner, has died in Jerusalem of pneumonia. He left Cleveland several weeks ago for an extended trip abroad. Charles A. Towne, chairman of the Silver Republican national committee, has undergone a painful, but not dangerous, operation at St. Luke's hospital in Duluth. He is now doing very well and will

11. April 2, 1900 Wheeling Register Wheeling, WV
Article from Wheeling Register, April 2, 1900

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PECULIAR BANKING. The story of how the Merchants' National Bank of Rutland, Vt., landed in the hands of a receiver, is SO peculiar and astounding that it is worth telling in condensed form for the information of business men. The cashier was Charles W. Mussey, and he had two friends. One was Marvin A. McClure, and the other H. C. Edson. McClure sold pianos on the installment plan, having very little capital and no credit until recently, for a few years ago Cashier Mussey refused him a loan of $3,500. Edson is a lumber dealer owning realty worth $50,000. After, the loan of $3,500 had been refused by Mussey, the latter suddenly went to McClure and offered to let him have the money himself. McClure took it, Edson endorsing the note for a consideration of five per cent. It was not Mussey's private money, but the bank's, but McClure says he didn't know that. In due time McClure naturally wanted more money, and got it, from time to time turning over piano leases as additional collateral to Mussey. This kept up until McClure had $145,350 of the bank's money, which wiped out all its capital and something more, Mussey had piano leases aggregating $12,000, and Edson was endorser on paper to an amount three times as great as his entire fortune. Then Mussey ran away, but returned and told his remarkable story. He says he never got a cent of the money, Edson says' all he got was his 5 per cent. commission, and McClure really don't know where the money went, as his stock only amounts to $20,000, on which he owes $4,000, and thus the matter stands, while the receiver is working at a very tangled set of books, and the bank examiner and Board of Directors wonder why they never had a suspicion and murmur Chimmy Fadden's pet expression softly and often.

12. April 4, 1900 The Star Reynoldsville, PA
Article from The Star, April 4, 1900

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Cashier's Shortage $145,000. The Merchants National bank, of Rutland, Vt., closed its doors Monday, and Cashier Hussey was arrested at Albany, N. Y. He left a shortage of $145,000 in his accounts. The bank has a capital of $100,000 and there is due to depositors and other bankers $351,549. Its loans and discounts were $361,363 and other assets $115,438. National Bank Examiner D. D. Muir has been appointed temporary receiver. Hussey confessed that he had stolen $145,000 from the bank during the past six years and had covered his transactions by forged notes.

13. April 6, 1900 Middlebury Register Middlebury, VT
Article from Middlebury Register, April 6, 1900

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MCCLURE ARRESTED. Only Important Development of Week in Merchants' Bank Failure. The sensation of the past week in the Rutland bank failure was the arrest on last Friday morning of M. A. McClure, to whom Cashier Mussey loaned the enormous sum of $145,000. Rumor has been rife of impending revelations, showing that other loans of like character were made to parties whose names thus far have not been connected with the case, but to the time of this writing no such bomb has burst. Mr. McClure was arrested at 1.30 o'clock Friday morning at his home on Church street by Deputy United States Marshal J M. Stoddard and Deputy Sheriff Whittaker on charges of embezzlement and grand larceny and taken to county juil. The charges are same as those on which Charles H. Mussey was arrested. The complaint was signed by Dr. John A. Mead, president of Merchants' National bank. Judge E. i. Waterman of Brattleboro, representing United States District Attorney Martin. drew the papers, and the warrant was signed by James A. Merrill as United States commissioner. Judge Merrill is counsel for McClure and his position as commissioner disqualities him to act in future proceedings in this case. The signing of the warrant was a ministerial act merely. It is expected that hearings will be conducted by United States Commissioner Johnson at Burlington. The arrest was the result mainly of the investigations of D. D. Muir, receiver of the Merchants' bank. It was thought that nothing of consequence would be done by the officers in the McClure case until the arrival this week of District Attorney Martin. who was in Texas, but matters suddenly came to a head Thursday.

14. May 26, 1900 Spirit of the Age Woodstock, VT
Article from Spirit of the Age, May 26, 1900

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Was Drawn Into a Net Con. Other Alleged Conspirator Murderer Case of A Convicted -Divine tinued for New Trial October Healer" Pleade Held Until Other Law Breaks. W. Rutland, Vt. May co-charles cashier of the embezzling Rutland, pleaded Mussey, Merchants guilty, the National Wednesday bank in the of and house was of seven years Farrar, sentenced to Rutland. John C. the defaulting correction at teller of the Waterbury six to sentenced same National bank. was institution. Under the law and they m years in the the labor. prisoners were not in to hard reduction condemned behavior. secure a days their terms by good of confinement of Ave for every month. of Marvin A. McClure, CashMussey brought charged The case with in defrauding aiding and the abetting Merchants up, but 1er bank. was also case on continued National motion to of the his counsel October Ball the was term fixed of was the in United the sum States of $20,000. court. which McClure has been able to secure. to not yet Mussey and Farrar appeared exhibited Both good spirits and were little feeling be in fairly when their sentences pronounced. embezzlement for which made Mussey public received The punishment was he was arrested on March 26 last, when by the bank officials. but was he was on a complaint in the sworn soon day released out National on again $5000 ball. Later upon complaint of result of arrested Bank official's Examiner examination Fish as the of to the county the affairs that of the bank and was taken by jail. The shortage was. in round notes. numbers, dis$145,000, all without the eight counted of the for bank represented others officials for which about practice knowledge operation his had been in with years. Mussey the wrongdoing. When confronted made told a direc- clean busiof everything. He man in breast eight years ago. a proved to be who instrument ness, torshow. later musical Marvin dealer. McClure. a subsequently arrested for to aiding and asked him to and who was friend abetting and Mussey. came endorsed dis. count him as a The note was was the by a cashier business his note. consented man. After and the the deliberation beginning. note discounted. This the cashier was placed in practically As in most ran country the bank. places Mussey and as it about every was not confidence surprising that he could do as he pleased which was capitalized of at a The bank. in the hands a receiver ment upon $100,000. was and the by placed making stockholders heavy has assess- been continue business able Following to closely the sensation Rutland was embezzlement Waterbury another on the night John of caused April 14 teller in by the of disappearance the Waterbury shortage of National of Farrar, and the discovery of a Farrar's bank. $25,000 in his accounts until two about were unknown arrested in whereabouts when he was later. morning Boston. days was returned and on the Farrar to Waterbury following only 24 years in custody he of sheriff. confession the his three years, and most in old. peculations According had to his been own going on of stock for little over taken had been lost and Boston money speculation in covered New York his stealings by markets. false He footings on the the bank's fraud making and forging balances, exambooks the notice of the bank bank escaping Farrar's superiors at the also Iner and Waterbury National bank but was The into a receiver's hands, busiwas bank went later reorganized and continued capitalized at $100,000. ness. The and former Governor Dillingham was its president. Montpelier, Vt., May 24. Arguments new made on Wednesday for of trial the were Charles Doherty, convicted Waterbury. for murder of Fred Murphy at in prison. to 25 years of and sentenced counsel set up the November, plea Doherty's At the trial last Murinsanity. maintained that he killed is unfinished. Doherty phy in self-defense. The case May 24.-The funeral law of Roy W. University of structor Philadelphia. of White, the the murdered Pennsyl The de- invania. took place yesterday. convinced that the colored man comsays crime Henry tectives Ivory, are becoming he saw the murder under than mitted. rest. who knows more of the he has revealed. May 4.--Francis Truth, on Wed- the "divine indictments Boston, healer," on seven was arraigned in pursuance charging nesday using the mails not guilty, of him a scheme with and at to the defraud. until request the He of October pleaded his counsel term for trial. the case went Truth over is out on $5000 ball. Ont., May 24 The yesterday grand jury Nolin and Welland, brought Dillman. in a true They bill all Walsh. replied the against dynamiters. The counsel alleged to the charge. for short not the guilty defense then asked a delay. for which was granted. of this place Newburyport. Mass., was May convicted 24.-Thomas burnLowrey superior court of maliciously sentenced to 10 set years the ing property. the state and prison. was Lowrey causto in the barn at the atmshouse, Are ing a loss of $15,000. Instructor Took Two Falls. Conn. May 24.-Charles Naugatuck an instructor at Yale gym- falls W. Mayser, secured two successive Haven at nasium, Burns of New wrestling Frank here for the middleweight The first fall was secured in 14 from championship bow of New England. minutes and

15. December 28, 1900 The United Opinion Bradford, VT
Article from The United Opinion, December 28, 1900

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Vermont State News A soldiers monument will be erected Grand Army lot in Oak Hill cemetery Bellows Falls. The people of Marshfield have poles in the village for an electric light syst When the new dynamo arrives they pect to have electric lights for the villa The annual reunion of the Sons Daughters of Vermont in Springfi Mass., was attended by about 125 ped in the norial building on Court str Dec. 14. Charles H. Robb, of Bellows Falls, been appointed United States c missioner for the district of Vermont Judge Hoyt H. Wheeler of the Uni States circuit court. By the !will of the late Cordelia Shedd, of Felchville, Goddard semin at Barre receives a gift of $5,000 and Universalist church in Felchville $500 be used for maintaining preaching vices. The plant of the Campbell knitt mill at Bennington, in which 150 ha have been employed, is being moved Elmira. N. Y., owing to the inability arrange terms with the employes, v went out on a strike a few weeks ago. The Rev. S. N. Jackson of Barre, fr his pulvit at the Congregational chu Sunday morning, Dec. 16, announced his parishioners that he therewith t dered his resignation from his pastora the same to take effect on the last Sun in January. The soldiers who recently arrived Fort Ethan Allen from Porto Rico gradually becoming acclimated to rather severe Vermont weather of la There has been some illness among th since their arrival but not so much might be expected. Lieut. George Bailey of 43d Unit States volunteer infantry and his w arrived in Northfield recently fr Manila, where Lieut. Bailey was in vi hospital two months. Lieut. Bailey a sergeant in company F, Northfield, the Spanish-American war. Ex-Gov. C. S. Page of Hyde Park, I been sued for $1000, by J. A. Livingst publisher of the Bennington Reform who clalms damages set at that amou for services rendered during the rece Congressional campaign. Congessm H. H. Powersis attorney for the plaint The condition of Col. R. J. Coffey, sup intendent of the Soldier's Home, w considered more favorably Thursday et ning, although far removed from dang He rested comfortably, and appeared recognize his family and nurses more th had done any other day since he w taken ill. The Northfield slate industry is getti ready for the biggest boom it ever h with the opening of work in the sprir new company has just organized und charter granted by the legislatu This company has ample capital and co trols some of the best of the many sla quarry sites in Northfield. The marriage of Miss Nellie Charlot Moulton, daughter of Mrs. Lucy Barro Moulton, and Mr. Clarence Edward Lo both of Montpelier took place in Chr church Thursday. Dec. 20 at 8:30 o'clo before a large number of the relatives a friends of the bride and groom, Rev. Lewis performing the ceremony. Prof. Volney G. Barbour, head of t engineering departmentof the Universi Vermont and custodian of its buil ngs, has been obliged to give up his co duties for a time on account at po health. Prof. Votey and Prof. Butte will meanwhile have charge of t. work in Prof. Barbour's department. The State board have condemned a pa the herd of cows on the New Yo Stock Farm in Morristown former nown as the Mulvern Stock Far wned by Murry Buck. C. J. Bell is he Friday. and about 27 will be killed. The vere tested a short time ago and we ound to be afflicted with tuberculosis. Receiver Muir of the Merchants Na Bank, Rutland, that was wrecked Cashier Mussey a year ago, will declare cent. dividend to the depositors in days. This will make 75 per ce in all. Many assets are set in t ands of the bank, and it is LOW thoug 1 hat the depositors will receive 95 to cent. Invitations were received at Randoly Friday to the marriage of Edith Ma laughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gibb, Brooklyn, N. Y., to William Eugene Kit all. of that city, son of Col. and Mrs. Kimball, of Randolph. The ceremo vill be performed at the church of t Holy Trinity in Brooklyn, Tuesday ev January 8. A man, supposed to be John Julien, w nurdered, to all appearances, on the Ce Vermont railroad tracks, betwe Alburgh and a place called Windm Point. The body was found by the tra valkers, and an autopsy showed that t had been killed by a bullet in t ead. Frank Coolidge has been arrest suspicion of having committed t nurder. Frank Jesson, 10, was accidentally sh Bennington, Dec. 14, by his brothe vhile playing soldier A ball from a : aliber rifle passed through his hea and shirt, and entered his body ju inder the heart, passing through ai odging under the skin at the back. ones were touched. The boys had fo (otten that the rifle was loaded. The la vill probably recover. Brainerd Avery. clerk of the Sena

16. January 3, 1901 Oxford Eagle Oxford, MS
Article from Oxford Eagle, January 3, 1901

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BUSINESS FAILURES. Jan. 3-Wabasha, Minn., People's bank. 6-Rahway, N. J., Union county bank New York, Hulbert H. Warner, patent medicine manf.: $2,319,027. 9-Plankinton. S. D., State bank. 17-Chicago. Francis P. Owings, real estate; $5,364,977. Feb. 7-New Bedford. Mass., Henry E. Holcomb. manf.: $1,351,438 Boston. Miner, Beat & Co., clothing firm, $450,000. 26-United States milling combine (flour trust): $15,000,000. Mar. 3-Port Jervis (N. Y.) Nat. bank resumes: had suspended payment in December. 5-J. F. Selberling. formerly manufacturer at Akron, O., files bankruptcy petition; $800,000. assets, $30. 19-John Kehoe, builder of New York, files bankruptcy petition; $1,520,085; no assets. 22-D. Appleton & Co., New York, publishers: $3,000,000. 26-Rutland. Vt., Merchants' Nat. bank Keene, N. H., Five Cent savings bank for $1,449,053; and Guarantee savings bank for $718,873. Apr. 3-Cambridge (Neb.) State bank: $40.000. 12-YatesCenter. Kan., Citizens' state bank. 27-Adolph Landauer, dry goods dealer of Milwaukee: $391,945.31. May 11-Frank L. Fuller's private banks at Rockford and Cedar Springs, Mich. 21-Pentwater, Mich., Nellson & Co.'s bank. 26-Price, McCormick & Co., of New York, cotton brokers and shippers: $13,000,000. 25-Seymour, Johnson & Co., stock and cotton brokers of New York: $500,000. Jun. 5-W. C. Shields' bank at Mulberry Grove, III. 15-McNair & Alexander, cattlemen at Ash. land. Kan.: $542,000. Aug. 13-Henry J.O' Neill, the "barley king. files petition in bankruptcy; $500,000 Kingfisher (Col.) bank: $61,000. 17-Somerset (Ky.) Nat. bank. Sep. 6-Lamont (III.) state bank: $12,000. 7-Fifth Avenue Savings & Loan Ass'n., of McKeesport, Pa.: $500,000. 18-Hatch & Foote, New York brokers; $2.000,000. 19-South Danvers Nat. bank, at Peabody, Mass. Nov. 17-German Nat. bank, at Newport, Ky. Dec. 12-Bank at Brillion, Wis. 13-Order of Chosen Friends, large fraternal insurance association. 21-American nat. bank of Baltimore, Md. 3-Isaac Robinson. at Baltimore, Md., manufacturer; $800,000.

17. January 4, 1901 The Jasper Weekly Courier Jasper, IN
Article from The Jasper Weekly Courier, January 4, 1901

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BUSINESS FAILURES. Jan. 3-Wabasha. Minn., People's bank. 6-Rahway. N. J., Union county bank.... New York, Hulbert H. Warner, patent medicine mant.: $2,319,027. Piankington. S. D., State bank. 17-Chiengo, Francis P. Owings, real estate: $5,364,977. Feb. 7-New Bedford, Mass., Henry E. Holcomb. mant: $1,361,438.... Boston, Miner, Beal & Co., clothing firm, $450,000. 26-United States milling combine (flour trust); $15,000,000. Mar. 3-Port Jarvis (N. Y.) Nat. bank resumes; had suspended payment in December. 6-J. F. Seiberling. formerly manufacturer at Akron, O., files bankruptcy petition; $800,000. assets, $30. 19-John Kehoe, builder of New York, files bankruptcy petition: $1,520,085; no assets. 22-D. Appleton & Co., New York, publishCTS: $3,000,000. 26-Rutland, Vt., Merchanis' Nat. bank.... Keene, N. H., Five Cent savings bank for $1.449,058; and Guarantee savings bank for $718,873. Apr. 3-Cambridge (Neb.) State bank; $40,000. 10-Columbus, O., Reinhard & Co.'s bank; $140,000. 12-Yates Center. Kan., Citizens' state bank. 27-Anolph Landauer, dry goods dealer of Milwaukee: $391,945.31. May 11-Frank L. Fuller's private banks at Rockford and Cedar Springs, Mich. 21-Pentwater, Mich., Neilson & Co.'s bank. 26-Price, McCormick & Co., of New York, cotton brokers and shippers; $13,000,000. 28-Seymour, Johnson & Co., stock and cotton brokers of New York; $500,000. Jun. 5-W. C. Shields' bank at Mulberry Grove, III. 15-McNair & Alexander, cattlemen at Ashland. Kan.; $542,000. Aug. 13-Henry J. Neill. the "barley king," files petition in bankruptcy; $500,000.... Kingfisher (Col.) bank: $61,000. 17-Somerset (Ky.) Nat. bank. Sep. 6-Lamont (III.) state bank; $12,000. 7-Fifth Avenue Savings & Loan Ass'n., of McKeesport, Pa.; $500,000. 18-Hatch & Foote, New York brokers: $2,000,000. 19-South Danvers Nat. bank, at Peabody, Mass. Nov. 17-German Nat. bank. at Newport, Ky. Dec. 12-Bank at Brillion, Wis. 13-Order of Chosen Friends, large fraternal insurance association.

18. January 8, 1901 The Bourbon News Paris, KY
Article from The Bourbon News, January 8, 1901

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BUSINESS FAILURES. Jan. 3--Wabasha, Minn., People's bank. 6-Rahway, N. J., Union county bank.... New York. Hulbert H. Warner, patent medicine manf.: $2,319,027. 9-Plankinton, S. D., State bank. 17-Chicago, Francis P. Owings, real estate; $5,364,977. Feb. 7-New Bedford, Mass., Henry E. Holcomb, manf.; $1,351,438 Boston, Miner, Beal & Co., clothing firm, $450,000. 26-United States milling combine (flour trust); $15,000,000. Mar. 3-Port Jervis (N. Y.) Nat. bank resumes: had suspended payment in December. 5-J. F. Seiberling, formerly manufacturer at Akron, O., files bankruptcy petition; $800,000, assets, $30. 19-John Kehoe, builder of New York, files bankruptcy petition; $1,520,085; no assets. 22-D. Appleton & Co., New York, publishers; $3,000,000. 26-Rutland, Vt., Merchants' Nat. bank.... Keene, N. H., Five Cent savings bank for $1,449,058; $718,873. and Guarantee savings bank for Apr. 000. 3-Cambridge (Neb.) State bank; $40,10-Columbus, $140,000. O., Reinhard & Co.'s bank; 12-Vates Center, Kan., Citizens' state bank. 27-Anolphยฎ Landauer, dry goods dealer of Milwaukee; $391,945.31. May 11-Frank L. Fuller's private banks at Rockford and Cedar Springs, Mich. 21-Pentwater, Mich., Neilson & Co.'s bank. 26-Price, McCormick & Co., of New York, cotton brokers and shippers; $13,000,000. 28-Seymour, Johnson & Co., stock and cotton brokers of New York; $500,000. Jun. 5-W. C. Shields' bank at Mulberry Grove, Ill. 15-McNair & Alexander, cattlemen at Ashland, Kan.; $542,000. Aug. 13-Henry J. 0 Neill, the "barley king." files petition in bankruptcy; $500,000.... Kingfisher (Col.) bank: $61,000. 17-Somerset (Ky.) Nat. bank. Sep. 6-Lamont (Ill.) state bank: $12,000. 7-Fifth Avenue Savings & Loan Ass'n., of McKeesport, Pa.; $500,000. 18-Hatch 000,000. & Foote, New York brokers; $2,19-South Mass. Danvers Nat. bank. at Peabody, Nov. 17-German Nat. bank, at Newport, Ky. Dec. 12-Bank at Brillion, Wis. 13-Order of Chosen Friends, large fraternal insurance association. 21-American nat. bank of Balvimore, Md. 25-Isaac Robinson, at Balkimore, Md., manufacturer: $800,000.

19. February 8, 1901 Vermont Phล“nix Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Ludlow, VT
Article from Vermont Phล“nix, February 8, 1901

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TH RUTLAND BANK CASE. McClure, Charged With Aiding and Abetting Cashier Mussey, on Trial. The trial of Marvin A. McClure, charged with aiding and abetting Cashier Mussey in abstracting $140,000 from the Merchants National bank of Rutland, was prosecuted in the United States circuit court at Rutland Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Several of the officials of the bank testified Tuesday that they did not know that McClure's notes were being discounted by the bank. Cashier Mussey, who is now serving a term in prison, was the star witness of the day. He said the loans to McClure had been going on for years, and that he had told McClure how it was necessary to falsify the bank accounts to cover up the transactions, and had warned him that both were likely to get into trouble. Receiver Muir stated on Wednesday that the total shortage in the accounts of the bank was between $230.000 and $240,000. McClure took the stand in his own behalf late Wednesday afternoon. He made a bad impression, testifying to playing the races and gambling, although he said his losses were not large and these indulgences were for amusement and not gain. He did not play the stock market. He lost money in his business. The defense tried to make the point that Mussey lead McClure to believe that it was not necessary to see the directors about the loans. The testimony was all in Wednesday. The arguments were nearly finished yesterday and the case will go to the jury today.

20. February 14, 1901 Herald and News Randolph, VT
Article from Herald and News, February 14, 1901

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Darwin L. Fuller of Denver, Col., by the Springfield National bank of this state to recover $5,000. The funds held by a trustee in Burlington were attached and the suit filed in Chittenden county court. Frank, the two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Parker of Barre, was seriously burned about the face, chest and right hand last week. His mother was carrying a dipper of scalding water and the child ran against her, upsetting the water. Elihu B. Taft of Burlington has lately come into possession of a document signed by Gov. Thomas Chittenden in 1786. It is the commission of the assistant judges of Addison county court for that year. Mr. Taft bought the paper in Boston. The census of the Bennington graded school district shows that it contains 1,330 school children between the ages of 5 and 18 inclusive, a loss of 243 during the year. This is principally on account of the reducing of the age limit from 21 to 18 years. Dr. Henry C. Hill, assistant surgeon of the 128th New York volunteers, died at Lockport, N. Y., last week of Bright's disease, aged 69 years. Dr. Hill went to Lockport in 1877 and was prominent in Republican politics. He was born in Vermont. Nathaniel Hersey of Worcester, an old and respected resident, committed suicide by hanging Wednesday of last week. He had suffered greatly from a cancer in his face and it is thought that his mind became unbalanced in consequence. He was 75 years old. E. J. Bullock of Readsboro has made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors. The liabilities secured by mortgage aggregate $8870; unsecured, $3619.99; making total $12,489. The assets, which include the large Bullock block, are estimated at $18,803. Over 25,000 brook trout fry, 20,000 brook trout yearlings, 10,000 brown trout fry and 5,000 brown trout yearlings are to be planted in the Walloomsac river and White Creek streams near Bennington. The fish have been ordered from the Pleasant Valley hatchery. Suit has been instituted by D. D. Muir, receiver for the Merchants' National bank of Rutland, against Elizabeth M. Spellman and the Hon.John D. Spellman of Rutland to recover the value of a note for $2,500 given to the bank. The suit is in the United States circuit court. Herbert B. Ward, the new attorney general of Delaware, is a Caledonia county boy. He was born in Sheffield in 1857 and has practiced law in Delaware the past 18 years. He was formerly a law partner of ex-United States Senator George Gray, now United States circuit judge. Will Drown of Evansville was instantly killed recently while at work in the woods lumbering. He was standing near a tree which had just been chopped preparatory to felling, when it fell in such a manner as to strike him on the chin, the force of the blow breaking his neck. News was received last week of the death in San Francisco of Luther C. Dodge, a former resident of Burlington, and three times mayor of the city. Mr. Dodge was 79 years of age and his death was undoubtedly hastened by an accident which happened to him several months ago. Plans are being made for the expenditure of something like $200,000 in buildings at Shelburne Farms during the coming season. Some of the money will be expended in repairs and changes in the buildings now built, but a new stable will be constructed, costing between $50,000 and $75,000. The records of the Barre city court from Jan. 1, 1898, to Feb. 1, 1901, show that the number of cases tried other than civil cases has been 603. Of the respondents 302 were American born and 301 foreign born. The adult population of the city is believed to be at least three foreign to two American born. E. H. Thorp, formerly postmaster at Middlebury and at one time editor of the Middlebury Record and at a still earlier date a member of the Rutland Herald staff, who was recently appointed postoffice inspector, will be attached to the office at Cincinnati, Ohio, which includes the states of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The first meeting of the incorporators of the Montpelier and Newport electric railroad, granted a charter at the last session of the legislature, was held in Hardwick last week. The outlook for the speedy building of the road is most favorable as the

21. February 27, 1901 St. Johnsbury Caledonian Saint Johnsbury, VT
Article from St. Johnsbury Caledonian, February 27, 1901

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Tor Dillingham will probably be in Washington at the time to preside. Mattie Fish and Flora Parcher, of Waterbury, two blind girls, have been designated by Gov. Stickney as beneficiaries to be educated at the expense of the state at the Perkins Institution and Massachuset's School for the Blind, located at Boston. A $5 counterfeit is in circulation and may cause considerable trouble as it is hard to detect. The coloring is very good and the imitation of silk fibre quite skilful. The principal distinguishing mark is the poor quality of the paper. This is what led to its detection by J. M. Hayes, paying teller of the Federal Trust Co., of Boston, recently. An eagle surmounting a globe is one of the engravings on the counterfeit. The case of D. D. Muir, receiver of the Merchants' National bank of Rutland, against the United States Fidelity and Guaranty company of Baltimore, in which the receiver seeks to recover $20,000, the amount of Charles W. Mussey's bond, will probably not come up for trial at the February term of the United States Circuit court. The case may be tried at this term by the consent of both parties, but either side may continue it one term. The court sits next at Windsor in May. John W. Tower, of Bennington, formerly a well known dwarf, who traveled with many of the largest shows in this country and Europe, is dead of pneumonia. He was 62 years of age. His height was 46 inches, and he weighed 65 pounds. Mr. Tower's first wife was Libbie Dillingham, also well known as a dwarf, who was 41 inches tall. His second wife, who survives, is 40 inches in height. The granite shaft for ex-Governor Fuller's monument in Morningside cemetery, Brattleboro, was hoisted to its place last week. The shaft is 33 feet, nine inches high, and weighs 22 tons. It was quarried at Barre. The bottom stone weighs 12 tons, and the total height of the shaft when completed will be 45 feet. The matter of incorporating the village of Island Pond is being discussed. The net amount of the debt of the town of Cambridge is $4,075, although a school house costing over $5,000 to replace the one burned has been built at Cambridge village during the year. The auditors recommend a tax of 143 cents. Word was received Thursday by the Vermont Farm Machine Company of Bellows Falls that butter made from cream separated by its improved United States separator was awarded the highest score at the National Butter Makers' Association in session in St. Paul last week. The score was 98, one point higher than any other in about 800 entries. The oldest living member of the Lamoille county bar is the Hon. George Wilkins, of Stowe, who was admitted at the December term in 1841, 60 years ago; the next is Col. E. B. Sawyer, of Hyde Park, who became a member in 1849. William Pickering Hill, formerly well known in Montpelier as "Squibs," died Sunday, Feb. 17, at Denver, Col., aged 72 years. For ten years Mr. Hill was on the staff of the weekly Argus, during the editorship of Hiram Atkins, where under the sobriquet of "Squibs," he wrote much that was widely read. He was a graduate of Dartmouth college in 1839. The second battalion of the Vermont National Guard will not attend the inauguration of President McKinley. As Governor Stickney and staff will probably not be represented at Washington at the time. Vermont troops, if there, would have no one to escort. A conference has already been held between some of the officers in regard to a trip to the Pan-American exposition, but no definite decision has yet been reached. If the battalion goes it will probably leave directly after muster in August. Mrs. Berenis Thompson of Brooklyn, N. Y., who has set to music some of the love poems of Miss Helen Hay, daughter of Secretary of State John Hay, was born in Wallingford and lived in Rutland for several years during her childhood. Howard H. Shields of Troy, N. Y., has accepted plans drawn by Architect William C. Bull for a $10 000 house that is to be built this season at Bennington Center. This structure, which is to be in colonial style, will be quite unlike any other house in the town.