The Evening Post, Thursday, November 4, 1897

CREDITORS OF DOBLE ARE COMBINING
Transfers of Property Will Be Attached.
Spaulding, the Saw Manufacturer, Is Also Involved.
The Question of Doble's Competency to be Ventilated in the Courts.

The numerous creditors of Abner Doble, the old iron founder, are preparing to make a descent upon his interests in different enterprises with a view to satisfying their claims against him.

Many attempts have been made by individual creditors for two or three years to find some property that they could levy on, but they were barren of results, for he had transferred everything of value that he possessed.

The creditors will now combine forces and seek to set aside some of the conveyances by which his property has been transferred to other hands.

It is more than probable that a similar attack will be made on N.W. Spaulding, the saw manufacturer, who has mixed in nearly all of Doble's financial transactions, and whose creditors have also looked in vain for assets.

For years Doble has been borrowing money wherever and from whomsoever he could get it. Workmen in his shop, teamsters and business men all over town are among his creditors.

From Andrew Wilson, a workman in his employ, he borrowed $500, and the note has now grown to nearly $3000. Wilson recovered judgment a few days ago, but his attorney has so far been unable to find any assets on which he could levy an execution.

Spaulding's name appears on nearly all of the notes. When he drew it Doble indorsed, and when Doble executed a note Spaulding indorsed it. Occasionally their names appear as joint makers. When Doble borrowed money he said it was for Spaulding, and when Spaulding borrowed he gave as an excuse that Doble wanted it.

Though Spaulding was the principal owner of a big saw factory conducted in his name, he failed to meet his obligations, and the business became known as the Pacific Saw Works.

Spaulding, although he assumes to have no interest in it, still manages and controls the concern.

Abner Doble's big iron business is now known as The Abner Doble Company, and Doble himself has assigned all of his interest to his sons, Robert McF. and William A. Doble. It is this assignment that the creditors purpose to attack. The business is worth about $200,000, while Doble's obligations, it is believed, will not amount to half that amount, so if the assignment can be set aside there will be sufficient funds to satisfy all who have claims against him.

The assignment may be attacked on either one of two grounds. Doble's mind has been failing him for some time, and the creditors believe that he was mentally incompetent at the time the transfer was made. If the court should decide that he was competent, then it can be attacked on the ground of fraud to hinder and delay creditors.

Besides the iron business, Doble has an interest in the Blue Lake Water Company, but it is believed to be of little value.

W.A.S. Nicholson, who represents some claims against Doble, has advertised for the names of all of his creditors, so that a meeting can be called to take action on the matter. Already about ten have responded, and they represent an indebtedness of about $20,000.