Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-03


Mr.. Searles, of Hastings, attorney for
forty victims at Pennington, put in an ap-
pearance also in answer to the suits COM
menced. These parties are determined to
fight the matter to the utmost.
Il Meetiny Of the Victims.
An adjourned meeting Of the Ramsey County
Anti-Drive-Well association was held at the
Chamber of Commerce last evening. Major
Wilson was called to the chair.
The minutes Of the last meeting were read
and approved.
The chairman stated the object of tho organ
ization. They believed that the exactions of
the patentees of the drive we'll were unjust,
and State organization had been formed with
the purpose OF contesting the right Of the pat
entee to u royalty before the supreme court Of
the United States. 1t was necessary that a
fund nf about $S, O00 be raised for this pur
pose The town of Pennington had raised
$1,000; Winona had raised over $1,000. and
Mankato had raised $500 or $500. He expected
that Ramsey county would be able to raise
about $500 to be added to the fund. The
money would be deposited in the First Nation
al bank and would only be used for the nur-
pose of carrying on this suit. If not used for
that purpose it would be returned to the sub
Scribers.
Mr.. Fluke, secretary of the State association,
was called upon, and stated how the matter at
present stands. He related how the people OF
Pennington had been outraged by the owners
of the patent. Within twenty-four hours after
they had received the notice to pay the royalty
of $40 demanded, they had dispatched /. man
to Minneapolis with money to pay the de-
mand. But when he arrived there he was told
it was too late-suit had been commenced. In
stead of $40 they were asked to pay S47.50.
At this demand they rebelled and resolved to
contest the patent. They had met and raised
$4,000, but afterwards owing to some mis-
understanding, they had disbanded and subse-
quently reoreanized with 81 900 cash in bank.
The evidence of the fraudulent nature of the
claim was accommodating daily. They had now
evidence that wells had been driven as far back
as l049. If this royalty was paid there would
be no end to the claims of patentees. There
would be some gouging all along the line, and
for one he didn't propose to stand it, He
would fight the matter, not SO much because of
the money involved as on principle.
MIR. l. st. Peter reported that he had but lit
tie time to look around among his neighbors,
but he had found fifty men on the fats in the
Sixth ward who owned drive wells. He had
brought their names, aud nearly all had
promised to be present and to join the associ-
alton.
Mr.. Fluke stated that, to avoid any misun-
understanding, he would say that he received
no pay for his services as State secretary
When it had been proposed to make the secre-
ta1yship salared Office he had refused to take
any compensation, for he would not go before
the peopletO urge this matter and have it in
the power of any man to say that he was paid
for what he was doing None Of the officers
received anything for their services.
Mr.. Henry Lunkenheimer said he had been
out IN the country, and everywhere he found
very strong feeling against this swindle. At
Mankato there was very hourishing organiza-
ton, with a considerable fund in the treasury.
At Lake City he had also found strong society
ready to fight the patent.
On motion of Mr.. w. G. Wilson, Mr.. Henry
Lunkenheimer was elected permanent secre-
tary and treasurer, and an opportunity was
given to those present to join the association
and subscribe to the fund. Twenty new names
procured, and considerable sum added
to the fund.
Mr.. Lunkcnheimer spoke briefly in German
explaining the perposes of the organizations
assuring the members that the money sub
scribed would be honestly and judiciously in
vested for the purpose of paying attorneys
and witnesses fees in the suit before the
supr, ME court.
Mr.. st. Peter moved, and it was carried, that
every person present be constituted a commit
tee of one to visit his neighbors and induce
them to come forward and Join the society.
This was urged as expedient and proper by the
president and others.
Mr. Fluke commended the spirit of the meet
ing. tie had never seen more earnestness or
better determination to stand by the rights of
the people Of the State titan he had seen there.
IT the same spirit actuattd those who were
using the drive wells in all parts Of the State
the necessary money would soon be raised.
gentleman present asked if there were not
two patents on the we'll.
The president replied that there were One
was simply on hole in the ground. This was
what they were now taxed for. There was an
other patent upon the point of the shaft and
the strainer. This was one of the reasons WHY
they should oppose the royalty now demanded.
1t this was paid the owners of the other patent
would soon pounce down and demand another
royalty for the point and the strainer
Maj. Wilson mplimented the press of the
city for their generosity in publishing notices
OF meetings and in assisting the people to fight
the battle. He especially praised the GLOBE
for the handsome manner in which it had re-
ported all their meetings and given wide circu-
laten to the address of the State association.
The meeting then adjourned till Saturday
evening next at o'clock.
address of the State Committee.
At the meeting of the delegates in St. Paul
on Nov. goth, to organize State association
to contest the drive we'll patent i'll the Unit
ed States courts, committee was appointed
to frame brief address to the people at
large, which address is herewith submitted.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.
The time has come when to submit longer to
the ex, ortions Of the company controlling the
''drive-well" patent, without using all legiti-
mate means of resistance, ceases to be a vir-
tue" Our people are peaceable and law-abid.
ing citizens, and have no wish to ignore any
lawful and just demands upon them; nor
would the mere collect on of a reasonable roy
atty upon the Green patent have caused hardly
ripple on the surface of our everyday life,
but for the evident disposition of those con-
trolling this patent to take every possible adj
vantage of the public sense Of security in the
ownership of property that all had once paid
Tor, to impose upon us fees and costs that are
at once needless and erievous to be borne.
IN the general expectation that agents would
call upon them, in due time. or at least make a
formal demand before enter ring suit, hundreds
of honest people with scanty means have been
sued land aggravating costs and charges superad-
ded to royalty which in itself is more than suf-
fcient to make the agents Immensely rich at the
general expense. They have refused to receive
simply their original claims with all legal costs