St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-21

he sc ramble for the treasures which for ages
had been clasped in the bosom of the earth
In later years there have been fortunes made
and lost in the Black Hills exctements
on change in every American city that have
striking resemblance. Men have become
millionaires in a day, and milliOnaires like
Goal Oil Johnny" in the same length of
time have been rendered penniless. Yes:
happy homes where the members have been
denied nothing their hearts desired, could
money purchase the boon. have in one short
day been transformed into an abode of
misery and want. Minneapolis has, in her
short career, been the scene of not a few
incidents of the kind. Usually they have
been the results of realty deals, but some
times they have been the result of wheat
or pork deal perchance.
On Thursday the Louisiana lottery was
the occasion of the most intense excitement
at the VendOme. The GLOBE of that morn
ing contained the following paragraphs:
Who is the lucky man? Who holds ticket
No. 1850 in the Louisiana lottery? That is
he question asked in Minneapolis yesterday.
Ia is lucky ticket that S held by a Mime
apolitan. Advices received last night state
that il drew one of the largest prizes.
1t so happened that the holders of No.
81, $50 were William Weston. H. L. Hodge.
NJ. w. Meehan and AdOn Butler. Each is
d subscriber to the GLOBE. and by soclOck
in the morning they had read the paragraph.
They straightway bought up copies of the
paper, presented them to their friends and
made the jubilant announcement that they
had drawn $50. 900. Champagne was free
as water at the VendOme. Billy Weston
at once negotiated with James Myers the
real estate dealer, for a palatial residence,
and saw visions OF horses and carriages and
a coat of arms. Billy Meehan had serious
intention of buying the West hotel and
Hodge declared he would buv up the motor
franchise, soda" and all. kilograms were
sent and the reply came back from the
managers of the lottery that full advices
had been sent by mail. This had a ten
dency to fortify the happy hope. They
were. during the day, offered thousands of
dollars for their respective interests. But
those interests were not for sale. No, in
deed. The owners were far too sanguine
was a carnival day with the four gentle
men. Weave cliquOt sparkled in their
glasses, and their friends were accorded the
most cordial" hospitality. With the night
natures sweet restoreT was not embraced.
JOY was unconfned and they had no time
for sleep. At z o'clock yesterday morning
they appeared at the Vendome some
what the worse in appearance
for the celebration, but yet in
the most joyous spirits. However, before
noon Billy Weston's faith had become weak
ened in degree, and when he was offered
SIS for one-third of his interest he hesitated
and then accepted. A Mr.. Holmes was the
specializing purchaser. At o'clock in the
afternoon Harry Robinson offered $50 for
another third. mo, no." said Billy,
nothing less than s75." However, when
the $50 in the current coin of the realm was
flashed up he accepted.
Nudge would not sell for any amount.
He was offered fabulous sums. but all en-
deavors of spectators were futile.
Billy Meehan finally traded his in
terest in the ticket for a house
and lot in the Eighth ward worth
$1,000. and he will take up his abode there
if the abstract bears scrutiny the day after
election.
On the heels of all these came last night
the tidings that it was all a cruel hoax. 1t
was the result of a typographical error.
Such is fate. In one moment the most eX-
uberant hopes had been dashed to the earth.
The lucky ticket bore another number.