Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-10-12
Soldiers,

fall of that year Mr.. Gridley, who was
candidate for Mayor OF Austin, on the
Democratic ticket, bet that he would
beat his Republican opponent. The
terms of the wager We're that the de
feated party should carry sack Of
flour on his shoulder from Lower to
! Upper Austin. Gridley was beaten at
the polls, and on the day following the
election set out on his trip, accom-
panied by the newly elected Mayor,
brass band and a large crowd. On ar
irving at the public square in Upper
Austin question arose as to what dis
position should be made of the sack of
flour. "Sell it for the benefit of the
Western Sanitary Commission" said
some one in the crowd The idea met
with universal approval and Mr.. Gridleyt
was installed as auctioneer on an i'm
provised auction block. Competitor for
the -four was very keen, and not until
$3.50 had been bid was it knocked
down.
"Where shall Ideliver it ?" said Grid
ley.
Nowhere; sell it again, shouted the
| purchaser.
The idea took like wildfire, the sack
of flour was again and again knocked
down, and when evening came it was
found that the astonishing sum Of
600 had been collected. Itwas dur
ing the Flush times" in Nevada, and the
rivalry between the mining camps was
very keen. The news was sent by wire
to Virginia City, and before morning a
telegram was received, saying, "Send
on your -four sack"
Gridley at once took the stage for Vir-
ginia City, and on the day of his ar
rival sold it for over SIS, 900. and still
retained it in his possession. The
next day he proceeded to Gold Hill,
but two miles distant, the now famous
sack being carried on wagon and es-
corted by deputation from Gold Hill
and Dayton. When first offered for sale,
o gentleman stepped to the front and
said
"The Yellow Jack Mine bids 81, 900.
Others followed suit with various
amounts, and before night nearly $13,-
600 had been paid in for the sack
Citizens of Virginia City were, how
ever, greatly nettled that such small
places as Gold Hill and Dayton had
outdone them in iberality, and COM
mittee was appointed to remedy the
defect. just after sunset line of
torches was seen approaching Gold
Hill, and Gridley and his wagon were
escorted to the public square of Vir-
ginia City by several thousand of the
citizens. The square was packed and
every one was there for business. When
the flour was put up perfect pande-
monium broke out; bids followed each
other in rapid succession, and those in
the throng who could not reach the
auctioneer threw gold pieces by hand
fuls into the wagon. When the auction
was over, and the money counted, it
was found that Virginia City had con-
tributed more than four thousand dol
lars to the funds of the Sanitary Com
mission.
The sack was afterwards sold in Car
son City, San Francisco, and other
Western points, and afterwards taken
to the great sanitary fair in st. Louis.
There it was exhibited, and afterwards
the flour was baked into small cakes
and sold at high price. When o bal
ance was finally struck it was found
that Gridley's bet had been the means
Of adding more than one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars to the funds OF
the Western Sanitary Commission.
! A Narrow Escape.