The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-09-15
HOW TO GET RICH.
A Solution of the Great Problem
By a Brace Of Young Men
in Butte.


accumulate riches has occupied a ma
iority of masculine minds since the
beginning of things, but in almost
every case those who iabored for its
solution have encountered some OBJ
stacle which, though trifing in itself,
proved potent to floor their am
bilious expectations. Messrs. Slutz
and Mahaffy. produce and commits
sion, Dealers" late of this city, how
ever, are notable exceptions to the
rule, and they have demonstrated the
fact that there is a sure road to sud-
den wealth to the infinite disgust
Of sundry creditors in Butte and Og-
den.The young men came to Butte
about a year and a half ago and
engaged in the milk ranch business.
By close attention to business they
accumulated a few hundred dollars,
and last June disposed Of their milk
ranch and branched out in the pro-
duce and commission business at the
corner Of East Park and Arizona
streets. They bought some grain on
credit, and at the end of the first and
second month paid their bills prompt
ly on presentation, which gave them
quite a credit, although rumors we're
already afoat that they were selling
produce for cash at a lower price
than other dealers were able to buy
for. By the first of August they had
built up a large trade, and during
that month their srders for grain
from the wholesale dealers were
much more frequent and
larger than before. The North
western Forwarding Company,
the Montana Lumber Company,
of this city, and Dave Kay and Har-
ris Bros, of Ogden, were favored
with large orders, which were
promptly filled, the dealers being in
formed by Slutz & Mahafy that they
would be compelled to make their
pay day on the tenth of the month
for bills accruing in tie month pre-
ceding, on account of the manner in
which they made their ewn
collections. During the month the
cutting of prices became more 10
ticeable than before and competing
dealers complained to the wholesalers
that their business was being ruined
by the peculiar methods of the new
firm. The wholesalers replied that
their bills had been promptly met
heretofore and they con.d not refuse
to sell to the firm until they showed
some weakness in the matter of meet
ing their liabilities. On the Sd inst.
Mahaffy suddenly disappeared and
this, together with the development
of large sales of oats at a much less
price than the firm had paid for them
created so much distru>t on the part
of the Montana Lumber company,
which was their principal creditor,
that at the instance of that company
the establishment was placed under
on the 10th inst. Out of
So, 500 worth of stock only about $500
worth was found in the store and the
books showed outstanding accounts
only to the amount of $3.50. Inquiry
the facts that their bust
had been almost exclusively
with cash customers, and that before
on the Sd in It. Mahatfy
drew from the bank a deposit
amounting to $500. Slutz main
tanned an air of entire nonchalance
the matter. and on the day
after the attachment was levied,
out on a hunting expedition,
but was brought back on a warrant
charging him with using threaten
language to an officer of the Mon
Lumber Co. The charge was
not sustained, and he was released.
He was seen on the street on We'd
nesday; but since then interested
have failed to find him, and
it is believed he has followed his
partners example and skipped tae
t ,wn. AS hear as can be ascertained
the following parties IRE sufferers to
tn amounts named: Montana Lu,n-
Der Company, $1,000; Northwestern
Forwarding Company, ST, 100; Dave
Kay, Ogden. owe $1,000; Harris
Ogden, $1,000; besides nu-
merous smaller accounts, the aggre-
of the firms Indebtedness being
at Sc, 500.