Thomas Grogan that sealed proposals would be
received up to March 1st for "unloading, hauling, and delivering
to the bins of the Eagle Brewery" so many tons of coal and malt,
together with such supplies, etc. There were also blank forms in
duplicate to be duly filled up with the price and signature of the
bidder. This contract was given out once a year. Twice before it
had been awarded to Thomas Grogan. The year before a man from
Stapleton had bid lowest, and had done the work. McGaw and his
friends complained that it took the bread out of Rockville's
mouth; but as the bidder belonged to the Union, no protest could
be made.
The morning after the meeting of the Union, McGaw went to New York
by the early boat. He carried a letter from Pete Lathers, the
yardmaster, to Crane & Co., of so potent a character that the
coal-dealers agreed to lend McGaw five hundred dollars on his
three-months' note, taking a chattel mortgage on his teams and
carts as security, the money to be paid McGaw as soon as the
papers were drawn. McGaw, in return, was to use his "pull" to get
a permit from the village trustees for the free use of the village
dock by Crane & Co. for discharging their Rockville coal. This
would save Crane half a mile to haul. It was this promise made by
McGaw which really turned the scale in his favor.
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