The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-17

Of Mr. Hawks. Prof. Reid, Of the Journal
, to the contrary notwithstanding. Mr.. Reid ha
gone down into the grave to sssail man whose
ears are hushed to the false imputations cas-
upon him, else this notice from me would moi
be needed.
Tho whole truth OF the matter 10 that Mr.
Reds article is base fabrication, possessing
not even tissue OF foundation. Mr.. Hawks
never in his life owned a shingle-mil. neither
did he ever print promises to pay-quarters,
halves and dollars-and occupy several days
fixing the autograph of Moses Hawks to every
one OF them" and then impose them upon
confiding people; but, on the contrary, he was
hard-money man, and paid all his debts with
out either initiating the currency or seeking
protection IN the bankrupt law. Although he
OCCASIONALLY perpetrated joke, his style OF
joking does not conform with that published
in the Journal, and which stamp as an in
famous falsehood.
FRANZ L. HAWKS.
60 Dearborn St., Chicago, III.
The following is the article as originally
published in this paper August 81, 1875:
"Old Bull was in town the other day-he
took us by the arm and said: Now, you
must not go back on greeDbacks-we want
more money, and the bonds OF the gov
eminent must be redeemed by issuing more
greenbacks. II we had more money We could
do more business"
Now the fact is there 10 more money than
can find profitable employment. The people
are short Of money-not because there is not
enough, but because they have nothing to
offer for It.
This doctrine OF initiating the currency by
issuing an unlimited amount of greenbacks
reminds US OF one Moses Hawks. who used to
live over in Allegan and run a newspaper aud
shingle shanty. The newspaper was run |
during the period OF publishing the tax lists |
and Moses shaved shingles the rest of the |
year. Hawks was great man in that burgh
and as currency was scarce In the community
because no one had anything to purchase it
with, bright idea struck HIM. He went into
his Office one morning and printed large
batch OF promises TO pay-quarters. halves and
dollars-and occupied himself for several days
in affxng the autograph OF Moses Hawks to
every one of them. Hawks, that is. Moses.
was now wealthy man and possessed of I'M
limited resources. lie bought everything Of
'ered for sale, and paid his new currency. and I
'lso loaned to his neighbors. The thing work
ID Ike charm until tax time when something q
better was required. Everybody had sold their
truck and taken Hawks currency in pay
neut. The people focked to Hawks and de-
handed redemption. lie redeemed by issuing
new batch OF scrip and more of 1t. Prior to
his the scrip had passed currently among the -
eople, but the new issue had 30 inflated the
currency" the people refused to receive II
'nger, it having become so plentiful as to be
orthless. Merchants and dealers had sold q
heir goods for the stuff, but could not buy
lore with it. Hawks was bankrupt and conld
OF redeem, and the people were in a bad
light. One morning stranger presented
mself to Hawks and demanded that he should
deem some that he (the strangely had re-
lived at Saugatuck, where he had been to look
ter some business matters. Hawks declined
10 accommodation. The stranger then asked
This is good, is it not Mr.. Hawks" GOOD
hunder ~ replied Hawks. lit ought 10 be.
every man, woman and child. within fifty
lies OF this place has from a peck to half CO
shel of it, III
" But, Mr. Hawks, you redeem don't YOU" N
' Redeem. He'll" exclaimed Hawks: 1T
snt made to redeem. 1t was made TO cir
late. ~
lhis is the original story which was widely ~
pied at the time--appearlng in nearly all the g.
pers between the Mississippi and the At No
tic The story has been lately revived and me
been going the rounds OF the press in a
garb, which seems to have awakened the
18th OF On irate son OF the late Moses. who
ms disturbed about the matter PRINCIPALLY TIL
ause the Allegan journal has remodeled ~
reproduced the yarn. He seeks to cast,- ~
Q that paper by using this journal. Tho No'
dication Is too thin, and will only harm y
'self, providing always there is enough OF Al
to be harmed 10,
-~$>SH--