The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-10-29
GRIPPERS MLSTA KE.

One of the first settlers in the Wild
River region was David Somerby, He
was a quiet, well-meaning man, content
to live upon the results of honest toll,
and anxious to render unto every man
his due. He bought his land 'wheh it
was cheap, in fact, when the price was
merely nominal and what with hunting
and fishing and cultivating such lands as
he was inclined to clear, he managed to
live very comfortably. Another of the
early settlers was Jasper Gripper. But
Gripper was a different sort of a man
from Somerby. He was close and tricky
and could bear down upon his neighbor
when pursuing his own interests. He
boasted to his friends that no man should
overreach him. Ay, Jasper Gripper, but
thou mayest oyerreach thyself We shall
see.
Time passed on and it became known
to the lumberman of the Massaquoit that
the best pine in the country came from
the Wild River region. One day in ear
ly spring gentleman came up from the
distant city and looked up and down the
river on Jasper Gripper's land, and the
following day he was joined by two 9th
er gentlemen. Gripper had often thought
what splendid place that would be for
a dam and mill With a firm dam, the
power would be enormous There was
only one difficulty: the extreme freshets
to which the river was subject in the
spring and autumn would render il diff
cult TO fix the dam. But there were en-
gineers who could overcome all such diff
ficulties. Finally the gentleman who had
first visited the falls introduced himself
TO Mr.. Gripper as Mr., James Bates, and
frankly stated tina, he been commissioned
to examine the fall and if he thought
proper, to purchase it. Jasper Gripper
was keenly and sharply alive. His eye
teeth were cut, He knew that for sever
al years the attention oflumbermen was
directed to the Wild River pines, and
that lately the people had discovered
that the land was of the very best quail
ity. And, moreover, he knew that the
fall upon his land was the only site upon
the river anywhere in that region, where
the dam could be safely erected There
was another fall six miles below on David
Somerby's estate, but ii was of a wild,
roaring, turbulent character, locked in
the jaws of towering granite, where no
mills could possibly be built. srar
"0f course" said Mr.. Bates, 1--WE can
not think of paying much for the water
privilege, and but very little for the land
which would be required for our build
ings. The expense of erecting suitable
dam will be very great, and at the best
we run great risk. You will be the
gamer in every way. Not only will it
open a ready market for your lumber,
but the value Of all your surrounding
land will be enhanced"
Mr.. Gripper winked and then nodded.
He had his own inh,rests to look after.
If he did not look after them he was sure
nobody else would. After a deal OF
thinking he said he would sell the waite
privilege, together with ten acres of land
adjacent, for two thousand dollars. The
agent was astonished. lie considered
the price ridiculous.
why" said he, "you did not pay 20
much for your whole territory"
1t made no odds what he (Gripperl
| hou pdiu' llAS ptlbe hdu Dccil ndIutu,
and the company could take it or let il
be. Mr.. Bates was not authorized to ac-
cept such terms. He must confer with
his principals. And he went away, In
a few days he came again, this time in
company with the three others. They
welt up and examined the water priyi-
lege. and then came back to Mr.. Grip
pers house where they informed that
individual that if ne would throw in ten
offer. Gripper thought % he haS MI ihern mn
He had thoroughly digested tile matter
and had come to the conclusion that the
water power would be Of inestimable psl.
ue to thecompaRy to-improveit, and that
\ they were bound 70 have il. 5as0 4
a ftienilemen,H said hey ''my offer oftvt
lan yng,t lfaf d bsfssiJ teTs fsI,ohtd tsIz
fl.f..r.r