Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-08-13
How He Bribed Him.
How q Texas Army Contractor
Made Money.

Al 44ss
Col. McCracken, u. 8. A., was the
chief quartermaster, stationed at San
Antonio, Texas. He had advertised
for bids to supply the post with corn,
and the contract was to be awarded
on a certain day. Col. McCrackell
was believed to be ON honorable and
conscientious officer who would not
take bribe under any circumstances.
Tom RowelI, of the firm OF Rowell
& Smith, was sharp, shrewd BUSH
ness man, who was very anxious to
get the contract to supply the post OF
San Antonio with corn, but he did
not think il was quite safe 10 offer the
quartermaster bribe, as he had ON
previous occasions with other quarter
masters. After thinking over the
matter for some time, he adopted the
following plan to carry out bis pur
pose. ~
He called at quartermaster Nc
Cracken's office, and asked that officer
in an insinuating msnner TO see that
he got fair play whes the bids were
opened. Col. McCracken replied I'm %
very dignifed manner
"The contract, sir, viii be awarded
to the lowest bidder"
Tom Rowell took up his hat and
bowed himself out. In so doing he
dropped on the floor an envelope con-
tanning FIVE one thousand dollar bills,
the name of the firm of Rowell Az
Smith being on the envelope.
Rowell Immediately went to the
ofice:of the chief of police and notified
him that he had lost On addressed en.
velope containing FIVE one thousand
dollar bills.
Rowell argued in this way
eff Col. MeCracken keeps the mon
ey, I'll get the contract, and can
well afford to let him keep the $5, 900.
If he, on the other hand, thinks 4 am
trying to bribe him, and gets mad o.
bout it, I will simply say dropped
the envelope on the floor accidentally,
and had no intention of bribing him,
and that L didn't know where II had
lost the money" at
Rowell had scarcely returned to his
Office from notifying the police OF his
loss when in rushed Col. McCracken,
his face flushed, very much excited,
and holding the envelope in his hand
"What do you mean, sir ~ be ex-
claimed, "by trying to bribe O United
States officer. This is an insult, sir
and he slammed the envelope down ON
the table.
Rowell made out that he was very
angry at the insinuation. He pound
ed on the desk with his fist and roar
ed out /:
'.And what do you mean, sir, by
charging me with attempting to bribe
anybody. Imerely I asked you to see
that my bid was properly considered.
I dropped that envelope without
knowing it, and have been hunting
all over town for it. / want you to
understand, sir, that I am o. gentle
man even if / am only civilian" I"
"Now, that's just little thin,,n re-
torted Col. McCracken.
"Well, sir. I'll prove to you that
you are mistaken ,and then | shall ex-
pect an apology" replied Rowell. and
going to the telephone he requested
the chief of police to come Immediate
ly to the Office of Rowell & Smith.
That official was there in O few min
utes, and fully confirmed Rowell's
statement that he had notified the po-
lice of the loss of the money as soon
as he missed it.
Col McCracken was overwhelmed
with modification at having unjustly
accused an innocent man OF having
attempted to bribe him. He was pro-
fuse in his apologies, which Rowell
at length accepted.
The bids were opened next day and
it was found that Rowell's bid was
not the lowest, but Col. McCraeken,
feeling he owed Rowell some repara-
ton, decided that the lower bidders
were not good, and gave the contract
to Rowell, who cleared upwards Oh
$25, 900 out of it, without having TO
spend cent to lubricate anybody.
Greenbacks are said TO be so popular
in Cuba as to command a large premium