Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-02-07

below the other along the gracefully
curved track. And two things more
The sites here were more favorable fol
building than were those above, with
better timber land surrounding; anC
the furious cataract would not be be
tween their mills and the market.
The next question was, Who owned
the newly discovered privilege? II
belonged to David Somerby. They
visited him, and carefully opened
1 their business.
I Look here, gentlemen he said
after they had beaten the bush awhile
their experience with GTipper hGC
made them cautiOus-"let us under
stand each other.n "Tell me plainly
what you want, and viii tell you a.
plainly what will do on my part.
Mr.. Bates made up his mind thai
he had an honest, straightforward
man to deal with, and he stated hi.
case plainly and frankly. He moi
only told how the company would de
veiop the water-power, and erect theil
mills. but he went on to point out the
advantages which would result to the
owner Of the adjoining land, both in
enhancing the value of the land in
itself. and also of the. magnificent
pine and spruce timber with which il
was covered
Mr.. Somerby listened attentivaly,
and at length told them to call upon
him on the following morning, He
wanted to sleep upon it.
That evening Jasper Gripper called
down to see his friend Somerby. he
wanted to purchase five hundred
acres, more or less, of the pine inter
vale and spruce upland adjoining his
land. Gripper fought shy, and hung
on, and Somerby only got rid Of him
by assuring him that he was at pres
ent not at liberty to sell.
nAha !n ehuekied Gripper. Them
mill folks have been here. They
want the land. Well, WELL let 'em
buy it /; I shall own all the land be
tween it and their mills, and they'll
find it hard work to get their logs up
without my consent" ..-.
And Gripper returned TO his home,
firmly pursuaded that the company
had resolved to purchase his water
privilege. Oh why had ne not asked
them five thousand dollars for it?
On the following morning Mr..
Bates and his friends were punetual,
and wnen Mr.. Somerby had been
asked what conclusion he had arrived
at, ne spoke as follows:
aGentlemen, have thought the
matter all over, and have made up
my mind. 1 have two propositions
to make, and you can accept which
you choose. All told, / own about
fifteen hundred acres of land in this
section, and the river cuts it nearly in
halves. Full half of it is rich inter-
vale covered with pine, and the rest
is upland and hill, with spruce, hem
lock and oak. First-I will give you
the land for your course, and deed
you the power, and also give all the
land necessary for your mill buildings,
provided that you, on your part, will
set at once about developing and
improving the power and putting up
the mills. Or, I will turn all my
land into the stock of the company,
at 8 fair appraisal, and become one OF
YOU"
Mr.. Bates was authorized to accept
the first offer on the spot, and to give
bonds, if necessary, for the perform
ance of the eompany's part of the con-
tract. But he liked the second offer
best, though before accepting it, he
must confer at headquarters.
Mr.. Somerby informed him that
the offer was opened to him as long as
he desired.
On their way back, Mr.. Bates and
his companions called upon Jasper
Gripper.
HGentlemen, !" said Mr.. Gripper, as
soon as mutual salutations had been
EXCHANGED, ''yoU will understand that
when 1 offered the twenty acres of
land, ], did not intend, for the price
named, 10 include the timber standing
thereon. ..-
at makes no difference, returned
Mr.. Bates, with smile. I'VE have
concluded not to purchase your water
How? Not purchaser" gasped
Gripper.
ttNo. We do not want it." Mr..
Bates didn't think it necessary to tell
him of the better power which they
had discovered.
i'But, gentlemen There must be
some mistake"
They assured him there was no
mistake at all. Mr.. Gripper was in
agony. He would take two thousand
dollars. He would take fifteen hun
dred. He would take whatever they
were willing to pay. He would give
them the water and the land if they
would only put up their mills there
on.
But they would not do it. He had
pushed them just one step too far. In
TO oVerreach them, he had
himself. And they left
him prey to remorse and bitterness
Of spirit.
The company, before whom McIn-
Josh laid their report, appointed
with full power to de-
eide and negotiate; and upon visit
ing David Somerby's section, they
to accept his second propO-
sition. So he surrendered his land
nto the stock of the company, and
became one of them; and we may
here remark that six months later he
was not little surprised upon being
appointed Superintendent of the lum-
1ering gangs, with a salary such as
lis widest dreams of wealth had new |
II grasped.
The water-power was developed !
iAder the engineering of Benton Nc
-ntosh, and it proved even greater |
han he had anticipated. The mills /
we're ereeted-first mills for saving |
umber, and then mills for grinding |
rain, and in time, other mills for |
making cloth, and for fabricating |
'arious other articles necessary to the
'omfort OF man.
The land of Jasper Gripper was of
curse raised in value; but it availed
i'm not. The sight of David Somer-
y, wealthy and respected, and hon.
red with offices of profit and trust,
While he was Stunned and shut out
rom the public confidence, filled him
Tith wrathful suffering. Verify, he
ad oEerreached himself in his mar
Owness and selfishness of spirit.
To-day, q flourishing town is on
he site Of David Somerby's section,
nd the hum Of thousands of busy
pindles makes cheerful music for the
appy and prosperous operatives;
nd from its tireless looms and clang-
1g forges flows out the wealth of the
alton.
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