Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 298, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1914 — STOPPED SHIPMENT OF KOFFMAN STOCK [ARTICLE]

STOPPED SHIPMENT OF KOFFMAN STOCK

Local Creditors Questioned Right to Remove It From the State and Attachment Followed.

The editors, of The Democrat and Ropu'toiran do not usually work in double, harness, but they voluntarily hooked...up this Wednesday morning and in consequence of their team work there is a big padlock on the. front door of the store recently condiucted by Israel Koffman .and managed by his brother Sol. or Saul. As related in a previous issue of this paper the Koffman stove was closed Saturday night and a sign .posted in the glass door that the stock was.in charge of The Central Trust Co., of Chicago, as. receiver, on order of the United States district court. Also that! the newspapers were creditors. The Republican's claim was $48.80 and that of The Democrat $79.00, while taxes amounting to $60.60 were also due. Saturday evening a young man ‘giving the. name of J. C. Felker came down from Chicago and took possession of the stock. So 1! Koffman ‘left town on the 11:05 train. Monday and Tuesday, Felker, with the assistance of some others, packed the stock of goods and were preparing to ship it away, presumably to Chicago. The newspaper publishers did not care to lose their money and decided to ask Felker his authority for shipping the goods away. Felker evidently is a man oif small experience for he swelled up like a poisoned pup and displayed a tin star on his left breast with the air of an amateur detective. Informed that no one cared a rip for his star he said that he had proper authority and drew from his pocket a few papers that had the appearance of ‘being anything but legal documents. He did not show them, however, but ordered the newspaper men from the store and said be proposed to proceed with the removal. He Was informed that the newspaper men would return with an officer an 1 he said he would refuse to admit an officer. Cou'nty Treasurer Fell joined in the proceeding with the newspaper men and an attachment proceeding was begun and Sheriff Hoover lacked the front door with a chain and padlock. Felker consulted Attorney Parkinson and said that he Would get an order from Judge Anderson of the United States district court of Indiana. Pending developments the ‘goods are safely under lock and 'key and the brash Mr. Felker has found out that he could not put anything over on the newspapers. It is not certain that they will grt their claims but it is practically certain that the county will get the $60.60 in taxes and that much good will result even if the other claims are not paid. The whole thing looks like a tritok oif Koffman to drfraud his creditors and if this is a sample of the sort of Schemes framed dp by irresponsible merchants it is hoped that adequate punishment will be meted out to him and all who may be associated with him.