14 FACTS RELATING TO GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 



Staples. The assignment was for the benefit of creditors 

 in order. The last named was Calvin Childs, a blacksmith, 

 to whom Staples owed about two thousand dollars. The 

 assignees proceeded to execute their trust, and as collections 

 were made, payments were made until all the debts were paid 

 except the debt to Childs. Mr, Woods died in 1841. Shat- 

 tuck died in 1850, and the trust was not then executed. 

 Fowle paid Childs six hundred dollars, but he made no settle- 

 ment of the trust. In 1853 Childs applied to Russell for 

 counsel and assistance. Russell filed a bill on the equity side 

 of the court. A lawyer, named Fiske, of Boston, was retained 

 by Fowle. Fiske answered. Russell employed the Hon. 

 Charles R. Train to assist in the trial, but there was no hear- 

 ing. In 1858 Train was elected to Congress. About i860 

 Russell came to me for assistance and put into my hands a 

 large bundle of papers relating to the case. At that time 

 Russell was so impaired in health that he could not aid in the 

 investigation. Upon an examination I found that the testi- 

 mony of Staples was important. He then lived at Machias, 

 Maine. By writing and interviews when I found him in 

 Boston, I became satisfied that for a hidden reason he was 

 resolved to have nothing to do with the case. As a last 

 resort, I took out a commission and submitted interrogatories. 

 The answers were evasive or valueless from loss of memory. 

 Thus the case was delayed. In 1862 I was elected to Con- 

 gress. Childs was an easy going man who made inquiries 

 occasionally, but never complained. Upon my return from a 

 session, about 1865, I resolved to bring the case to a close. 

 I examined the papers carefully, and I found full material for 

 a statement, although it cost labor to analyze the accounts. 

 At that time Russell was dead and Fiske was dead. Mr. 

 John Loring, a former partner of Fiske, took the case. 

 Loring agreed to a hearing at Chambers. Chief Justice 

 Chapman named a day. At the time named the clients and 

 counsel appeared. I presented my statement in writing. 

 Loring and Fowle said they knew nothing about the matter. 

 My statement showed a balance of between $400 and $500 in 

 Fowle's hands. I asked for interest. Fowle said he had been 



