[D0111AAD], Letter from C C Hickok to Thomas Alva Edison, February 20th, 1901
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D0111AAD
Transcription
33 Nassau Street, New York, Feb. 20, 1901 Thomas A. Edison Esq., Llewellyn Park, N.J. Dear Sir:- I do not know whether you are aware that your son Thomas A. Jr. is in a tight place through a judgment obtained against him and William Holzer by William McMahon, amounting to $400,000 and $136.72 costs. This judgement carries with it imprisonment. An order of arrest has already been obtained against your son and Holzer, and will be executed on the latter as soon as found. It seems that your son, who is the principal factor, cannot be found, and McMahon is advised by the Judge to go before the Grand Jury and procure an indictment. Should this be done, there is no way to prevent the young man from getting a long term of imprisonment. I am in no way interested in this matter, but I know the plaintiff for many years, and from a conversation that took place in my presence with his attorney, I have no doubt he intends to enforce the Decree of the Court at the earliest possible moment. I do not know your son, but from what I heard of the matter, I suspect that he has not had much experience in corporation matters, and therefore, placed himself and company in an unfortunate position. McMahon is in a desperate condition financially, besides he had a part of house burned down the other day, and altogether makes him sore on everybody and everything. Under the circumstances, you probably know as well as I, that he is a dangerous character and thoroughly unsorupulous in the means used for attaining his ends. If this should be a matter of interest to you, please let me know and I will get hold of McMahon and see what he wants, and stop further proceedings. He is under obligations to me in many ways, and whether drunk or sober, I have always been able to do wit him more than any one else, and if you wish I will come and see you at any time you may name. Very truly yours C.C. Hickok Fourth Article of the Judgement reads: "That said Thomas A. Edison, Jr. be committed by the Sheriff of the County of New York to the County Jail of said County, to be there detained in close custody until he shall specifically perform the agreement set forth in said judgment or he be discharged according to law."