St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-11-10
4 MYSTIC IRON RING,
Worn on the Left Little Fin
ger Of a st. Paul Broth
ephood,
Hints a Secret Organization
With Dynamite Freely
Thrown In.
a Globe Reporter Probes to
the Bottom the Weird
Sensation
and Finds an Order Pledged
to Resist Rheumatic
Assault.

4 short time since the GLOBE received
Nh anonymous communication, which
had evidently been prepared by timid
bud, or nervous old maid, in reference
10 what was denominated "a myster-
ious ring of men whose designs were
evidently of desperate character"
The writer urged that perhaps circle
IF the Cronin eonspirators existed in
st. Paul, or some seed dropped by the
Infamous TaScOtt was about to bear
fruit. 1t was further claimed that ''any
man, on whose left-hand little finger
was found an iron ring should be given
wide berth"
The reporter of the GLOBE who was
detailed TO investigate the matter, very
soon located one of The suspects, on
whose little finger was broad metallic
band. The man did not look like a
villain. He was a SOlemn-viSaged,l lean,
and he wore a hungry look. In one
hand he carried two tin boxes about the
size and shape of large Sardine boxes.
That these did not contain dynamite
was quite evident, as the mysterious in
diyidual handled them roughly as he
walked rapidly west on Third street,
until he reached Allen, Moon & Co.'S
wholesale store. Hating on the portal
for a moment, the suspected party
glanced nervously over his left shoulder
in the direction of the reporter. He
then rushed into the Office, and only
halted when he had reached small
apartment. in which Mr.. Allen, the
Snnfnr n. nf fnn hnnSp seated
That gentleman looked up hurriedly
from his work, glanced at his visitor
from over his eyeglasses, and then
pressed his left hand against his left
temple. while his right hand careSSed
his right knee-cap. The man of the
irsn ring responded in like manner and
then extended his right hand to Mr..
Allen and the grip was evidently given.
BreathleSSly the reporter awaited fur
Their developments. Evidently he was
in the very lair of the great combine.
How is your rheumatism. Mr..
Smith?"
How is your lumbagO, Mr.. Allen?"
These were the portentOus questions
which saluted the reporters ears, and
then both gentlemen smiled and winked
knowingly. The weakest intellect could
easily have determined that these Ques-
Two men, on whose faces were the
bloom of health, and on whose left hand
little finger SbOne the iron cirelet. could
have had no reason TO inquire about in
iirmities which alone belong to the feeble
and not to the strong. While thus
specializing and endeavOrIng to probe
the mystery before him by the light of
the remarkable transactions just wit
messed. he observed that the thin man
had laid before Mr.. Allen the two tin
boxes referred to. each one of which
seemed to contain white powder. This
substance both parties handled so reck-
ie'Sly that the reporter stepped back
some distance from the partition, and
when he had returned shortly after, no
explosion having occurred, all he could
hear were the startling words, ''Send
me fifty barrels quickly, all railr'
Smith then hurriedly departed.
Fifty barrels of tro-glycerine would
blow all St. Paul and a part of Mime
ap0lis as far West as Fargo.
\ moment later a stout individual,
whose face glowed like the sparkle on
old Port, pushed his way into the mar
row compartment and entered into an
animated conversation with Mr.. Allen
in reference to electric currents orig
mating on the little finger of the left
hand" This party, whom the reporter
subsequently aScertained was Mai.
Hineline, of the Eastern Minnesota rail-
way, was evidently a member of the myS-
FERROUS clique, as he was in possession
of one of the rings with which he tOyed.
Later on Tom Quinlan, of ]. B. In
denieden & TO-; J. c. Wall and other
confederateS held whispered converse
tion in the little room. One popularity
.4r r.al- fhaaV Ar,,aEfn 4 -
eOndescenSiOn of Mr.. Allen, and the
studied mark of respect which the visit
orS bestowed when addressing that gen.
tleman. 1t was also noticeable that he
reciprOcated the attention and liked it,
Tor he was at all times affable and Smil-
ing. and once he opened the Tight-hand
drawer of his desk and exhibited a
dozen or so small boxes, each one of
which contained an iron ring.
During Quinlan's interview, all of
which was conducted in undertone, it
was quite evident that he was trusted
confederate, since he was directed to
hurry forward some revolutionary ma
terlal, which was in casks, and also
consignment in boxes. AS he hurried
across the pavement he was hailed by
Senior Gustayus Borup, of the Erie
railroad lines, and quiet converse
NiNit lioAlop III MdS OUSETNGU
that Mr.. Borup gave the haiIing
sign to another member of the
combine, Mr.. Wilson, of the Hoosac
Tunnel, and also to thin cadaverous
concern on legs whose name is not
known TO the GLOBE representative.
The sign referred to can best be de-
scrIbed in this way, that the saluting
confederate raises both hands to his
ears and works them vigorously.
Whether the hands or the ears were
thus worked the reporter could not dis
Germ, as he was too buSily engaged in
watching the cripples who limped into
the store, all of them in evident pain,
and then walked out with broad smiles
on their faces and a metallic ring on
the little finger of the left hand.
The plot seemed to be thickening, in
fact. it was already thick.
Mhlle medltating and wondering as
TO the outcome of Ills researches after
light upon the mystery, whose solution
he sought in the interest of the public
veal. the reporter observed a diminu-
tive specimen of male humanity hurry
ing up third street. A glance was
sufficient TO reveal the presence
on the party's left hand of a
broad iron band. 1t was resolved TO
follow him. He was tracked up to a
jackson street store. where he exam
med two kinds of revolvers, two breach
loading rifles and shot gun. He made
sign" to the master of the death
dealing instruments, but no response
came, and he departed. after Saying
something on the quiet. Then the
watched man sped hurriedly to the
Ryan hotel and sank almost exhausted
on soft cushion. This was the reporf-
er's opportunity. The key to King Sol
onions cave must be found.
Excuse me, sir; but will you kindly
explain why you wear an iron ring on
the little finger of your left hand?'
certainly. sir. 1t is remedial and
also preventive
kindly explain"
We'll, if you have it the subtle infiu-
ence OF the ring will drive it out of the
system. III you have not it. the ring will
nTRNRnf If from -