The Day the Doors Closed on Commercial Street

The city was thrown into quite an excitement yesterday morning by the rumor that the store of D. A. Jennings on Commercial street had been attached for debt. On inquiring into the matter the rumor proved too true. The first attachment was placed on the establishment by W. D. Scott & Co., for themselves and as the assignees of other creditors. The amount of their claim was about $18,000. Later in the day a number of other attachments were placed on the store, amounting in the aggregate to about $23,000, and in the afternoon the doors of the store were closed. The trouble seems to have arisen from Mr. Jennings attempting to do too large a business on too small a capital. On a limited capital he was running the Seattle store, with a branch establishment at Padilla Bay, besides a large and expensive logging camp or two. For reasons best known to themselves, the creditors came in, and of course Mr. Jennings had to succumb, as his resources and assets were so scattered he could not use them. W. A. Jennings, who carried on and managed the business, claims there are enough assets to pay dollar for dollar on all outstanding claims, and more, too, but some time will be required to show whether this is the case or not. However, Mr. Jennings promises to make a statement, which will probably explain matters fully and satisfactorily. He certainly should make such a statement in justice to himself. Following on the heels of this failure, the store of George G. Finn, in North Seattle, was attached and closed up. W. D. Scott & Co. got out the attachment, but Schwabacher Bros. & Co. held a mortgage on the whole establishment, and the courts will have to decide who shall have possession. Sheriff McGraw is in charge of both places, and will remain in possession till some other arrangement is made by the court.