Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-08
THE JAMES GRAB.

Interesting Meeting Last Evening of the
Ramsey County Anti-Drive Well Asso-
ciation-Large Number of New Members
and subscriptions to the CentestinS Il und
How the Work is Progressing Else.
where.
The Ramsey County Anti-Driye Well as
ISOLATION held meeting at the chamber of
commerce last night. The attendance was
large, there being over fifty present. The
opponents to the James grab and the de-
mand for a royalty on the drive-wells, were
both from the city and country. Farmers
who had come in-for their weeks trading
staid over TO take part in the important mat
ter. Each man was apparently determined
to resist the exorbitant demand made upon
him to pay for the alleged patent
Secretary Lunkenhelmer called the meet
ing to order, and an organization was eff
fected by the election of Mr.. w. G. Wilson
to preside.
The president then explained the object
of the meeting to be to obtain new names of
membership, and receive new contribu-
tons to the fund to fight the patent sharks.
He further stated that in other communities
interested in the matter, all par
ties had expressed the determination
to fight the fraud from first to
last. He referred to the action
in Minneapolis, and quoted from a Minneap-
oils paper, published in st. Paul, an account
of the proceedings there. He thought all
this encouraged the Ramsey county associa-
ton to be steadfast in it's purpose to fight
the matter through the courts. Mr.. Wilson
then exhibited printed blank, which is sent
around by NJ. S. James, and in which the
names, residence, and number of wells is
recorded by spy in every locality of che
State. The one, he had, contained 1872
names of persons residing in st. Paul and
Ramsey county. Some individuals objected
to coming here because they feared they
would be spotted" He gave them the
assurance that every drive well in
the State was known to James.
The duty OF Ramsey county was to raise it's
quota Of the fund to fight the i'm position.
he believed that amount was from 5000 to
$1,000, and he trusted it would be raised.
He concluded by urging every member to
contribute to the extent OF his means. It is
better to pay E92 to expose the steal and de-
feat the robbers: than pay the sharks the
amount Of $4,000.
At this stage of the proceedings the names
of new members and contributions to the
At the last meeting twenty five became
members, and last night thirty-seven added
their names, and contributed $47 to defray
the expense Of the proposed fight.
1t was asked what was the purpose of the
fund, and if not needed, what would be
done with it?
MIR. Wilson explained that the fund was
being collected to defray all expenses attend
ing the suit in the United States courts, and
to procure testimony. In the event of the
case going against the people in the lower
courts, 1t would be appealed to the United
States supreme court. It was estimated that
$4,000 would be necessary to defray all ex.
penses. Already Winona had raised
$1,000, and Pennington $1,000.
All the moneys were to be placed
IN the hands Of the treasurer of the State
society, and by the State executive commit
tee be used jadicously in furtherance of the
cause. lie stated that the State convention
would assemble In about two weeks, and at
that time 700 ought to be in bank to
begin the action. AS a matter for reflection,
he would state that it was supposed
that the drive we'll sharps would
collect 100000 in Minnesota alone, if
they were not met with opposition. Ramsey
county must do her part. Mr.. Fluke, of
Pennington, wa organizing associations in
Anoka, Rochester, Benson, Mankato, and all
through the State a steady response is being
made. In conclusion he suggested that
committees be appointed to hunt up owners
of drive wells, and seek contributions
from them. He said the papers had all stood
by the people well, and the people must now
take their own part
In accordance it was so moved, and COM
mittees appointed to act.
1t was stated that over fifty business men
of St. Paul had drive wells, and would be-
come parties to the contest
MIR. Wilson pledged himself to look them
up and solicit aid
After considerable informal talk and eS-
preston OF the Importance of the affair, the
meeting adjourned.