Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-09-10
Bad Developments About Schurz.

OaTl oCnuTZ Is SO Uusy 10 eXpOunu
ing to the nation the corruption al
the White House, and the nepotism
of its occupant, that his own con.
science ought to be exceedingly
clean. This natural supposition is
not however borne out by facts. His
conduct at Watertown, the city
which was the first of his many car
pet-bagging residences, ought to be
sufficient to silence him.
Carl Schurz came to Watertown in
1855, accompanied by his wife and
several of his wife's relatives, who
were destined to be only too conspic.
uous in the community. He bought
eighty -four acres of land outside OF
the town for $4,000, paying. how
ever, only $500 of the amount
down; and on it attempted to enact
the role of a gentleman farmer. He
very soon became Alderman and Su-
pervisor, and taking an active part
in politics, was put up as a candidate
for Lieutenant Governor of this
State in 1857. Two ye RS after he
attempted to get the nomination for
Governor, but failed, and went off
in huff to Minnesota, leaving Ran
dali behind to be elected by rnaior-
ity larger than that of his ticket.
After speaking in Minnesota, at
bis usual rates, cash in advance, Mr..
Schurz turned his attention to
stumping for Lincoln, and in Febru-
airy sought reward as one of the
commissioners to peace conference,
talked of between the various states,
north and south. La this he failed,
but was more successful when he en-
deavored to obtain the Spanish mis-
sion with its $4,000 a year. But
even this did not satisfy him; he
thirsteo for military glory, ahd re-
turned to America. But fighting,
any more than farming or diploma
cy, did not suit his peculiar genius,
and after disgracetul failure at
Charlottesville, May, 1868, be tried
editing the Detroit Post at the ex>
pense of Zach. Chandler, only to
prove an expensive failure.
Missouri next engaged the uneasy
Senator's attention. Editing was
here his occupation, the Westliche
Post this time being the victim.
Here he gained the office he at pres
ent occupies, taking his seat as Unit
ed States Senator March 4, 1869.
From his high position he reviews
critically the conduct of his superiors,
meanwhile shutting his eyes to his
own. But his doings at Watertown
are not yet obliterated from the
minds of his fellow-citizens there.
In 1856 Schurz subdivided GER
tain tract of land known as "Schurz, 8
Addition to WATERFOWL" and sold
lots in it to certain parties, fraudu-
lently concealing from them the fact
that, contrary to law, his plat was
unrecorded, and the fact that his
whole tract was subject to an in
cumbrance considerably exceeding
its value when sold under foreclos
ure. He had first mortgaged his
property for $500, and then put a
second mortgage on top of this as Sc
curity for debt of So, 200. He sold
lots in his addition, the plat of which
was unrecorded, to Geo. W. Perry,
john Spiegilberg. G. Hildeman, John
Mcdonald and Ferdinand Mueller, all
persons in humble circumstances.
Schurz warranted Perry's lot 'free
and clear of all membranes what
ever;" yet nine months after Perry
had to buy release of the incumb.
rance from Schurz's creditor at a cost
of $3.50 Hildeman in like manner
bought lot, supposing he got a
clear title, but had to buy,by Perry's
aid, his release from the mortgage
F. Mueller bought $3.50 lot, but af-
ter putting house on it be had to
abandon the whole on account of the
title. The lot bought by John Nc
Donald for $3.50, on the understand
ing that it was clear of incum brance.
was embraced in the same forecIos-
ure, and would have been lost to the
owner-an invalid with wife and five
ehildren-had not the neighbors
made up the amount necessary. A
man named Thielemann, who had
bought eight lots ofSchurz for 81 900,
lost his property by the same fore.
closure. But the worst case in bad
list was that of Spiegelberg. Spieg-
elberg was an ignorant German, with
the largest faith in Schurz, the gen.
tleman farmer. On the $3.50 lot he
bought of Sohurz he pat up house
worth $3.50. The house and lot were
sold out under foreclosure; and exit
Spiegelberg, utterly wiped out finan-
cially, thanks to the talent of the
Liberal Reformer. The Chicago and
Northwestern r. r. Co; are also the
victims to Schurz to the tune of ST.
500.
These revelations are so minute,
circumstantiaI and well attested that
they stamp Schurz as an extravagant
and slip-shod inancier. No Ian
guage can be too strong to condemn
the conduct by which bis poor and
ignorantcountrymen were victimized
by this windy critic. Well paid him.
self, be could not do even Justice to
men beneath him, while he would ex-
tract far more than justice from
the administrators of the government.
He is fit co-laborer of the sanguine,
tetchy and slip-shod white-hatted
philosopher to whom he has joined
himself. The developments of Carl
Schurz's life in Wisconsin prove be.
yond all doubt his untrustwortbiness
as a practical reformer in the admin
istration of financial affairs. The
people do not want profession regard
ing reform, for that is nothing but
lip service. but they demand a reali-
zation.-Ml1dukee Wisconsin.
sdr Mrs. Horace Greeley's health
continues to grow worse rapidly. She
is so feeble she cannot stand, her
n