The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-26
HE MADE THE NEWS.
How ! Newspaper Was Run
In the BackwOods.
HYporHETicAl MANcANETus.
n Served ths rsrpese Of Bssaing Min
iag Interests ana was Backed sy
Lsnden spseulators.


fifteen years ago, the Manganetns Isadex-
Tic publication alluded 10 had mvsteri-
ously fallen into mar mail box in San Fran
cisco for ever > year, and il was always .
Welcome arrival II was neatly printed,
carried several columns of live adj
vcrtise merts and had . bright. bustiing air
about it that always gave me q very favor
able impression OF ManRanetus, as well AS
OF the man who edited the paper. He took
decided stand on ell the current topics Of
the day. and in everything happening III
the town where his paper Was published he
carried candor to The verge OF bexllaering
rashness- never saw paper edited with
such absolute fearlessness. and often won
dered why il MAS that the editor was not
some time mohhed or murdered.
AT last my business took me in the vicin-
ity Of Manganetus, and decided to make
the editor . call. II was fast coming on
n5ghtfali rs | neared the spot where the
town was located. and sprrrcd my horse
up the steep mountain, thinking of the
warm bed and excellent supper | should
soon be enjoying Ny mind was full OF
the Siavin house. hotel OF very superior
accommodations. which advertised iiber-
ally in the Inasr. and whose royal proven
der and home comforts the little paper was
never weary OF describing.
sOnly mile more said to myself. as
I ihumped my weary beast with good
sized stick. and after another mile re-
peated my observ alton. and so the poor
horse went on checking of miles and miles
while / persuaded myself that each mile
was the last Strange, thought, that
could see no lights ahead. l strained my
eyes for the welcome twinkle from cottage
windows that in the darkness tell the tray-
eier of the town, but the night erept on. q
little faster perhaps than the horse, and
still was alone.
Presently came to a log cabin. and nv
heart rose as | saw the light cleaning
through the chinks. Dismounting,
walked. stiff and lame, to the cshin and
hammered on the door. A little. bent-up
man, with wrinkled. ieathery face. came
To answer. and as he opened the door eau
tiously. noticed that he had cooked pis-
tol in his hand.
Seeing ii said: Here is civilization :"
After the little man with the big pistol
had surveyed my famished face and tired
horse, he opened the door . little wider
and then. swinging 1t back. with smile
somewhat apologetic in its character. In
yited me in.
How far to Manganetus Z. asked.
He looked q ma il rather queex NV.
and bit his lip, . u nipping : smile in he
bud
Us IL far from hersi Can roach il to-
niehtY"
Hardly think ron can made II tonight, /"
he replied with tone that puzzled me
somewhat: "cant You stay all night2" he
added. Better stay; you can't possibly
make Manganeius tonight
accepted the invitation with alactrity.
Ny horse being provided for was soon
absorbing the heat of q CHEEKY fire and
listening to the conversation of my new
acquaintance He was . man of very
fluent expression, and possessed . wonder
full fund of information on scores of topics,
not ordinarily discussed by men who
occupied log cabins in the mountains
While wondering who this old character
could be I heard . mouotonous noise in
the other room. and / certainly thought
heard the familiar sound Of some one rap
idly folding newspapers.
Nv ear did not deceive me. for in few
moments . pleasant-faced girl appeared
and handed my companion paper winch
he at once passed over to me. 1t was
damp from the press. and read the title,
'.rHE xAssAsErrs rxpEx"
by industry We thrive" Devoted to
the material interests OF Manganetus
Subscription IS per annum. payable in adj
vance
NY host smiled as be handed me the
paper.
Then the town Is here." said. "I.et
me 20 TO the hotel; the slavin House, be-
lieve ! do not desire to trespass upon the
hospitality OF stranger"
"You will remain here. SIR" he replied,
81 blush to confess IL. but this is the town
OF Manganeius. and this cabin Is the only
habisation for twenty miles"
stared at the man in astonishment
"You may well be puzzled, he continued
sBuf viii explain. There is group Of
mines near here which certain capitalists
OF San Francisco are anxious to place upon
the London market They hare hired me
TO advocate these mines. and IL Is part of
my bargain 70 run my paper In such a way
that the London readers win think that .
large town Is tiourishine here. Seer"
nodded vaguely, and he went on:
"My imagination n not sluggish. and 80
I manufacture all write leave no stone
unturnesi 10 make the mythical city of
Manganetus . live. busting town. You
win find in this Issue public meeting
called 10 discuss the question Of . new
bridge srross a stream that exists only In
the Tn.sex. Here IL the wife OF prominent
mining superintendent clipping with q
member of the city council; here II run
49, - tel
OF a cigar store. You viii note the adver-
tisemens Of the cigar store IN another
column. Here In the killing OF Texas Pete
and the investigation OF bis death by d
coronsr's jury. The eanse Of the shooting
was = dispute relative to the owner
ship Of mining location OF fabulous rich
ness. There Is also in another portion oil
the paper legal summons advertised call
ing on . co-oxnsr tone OK the principals In
the affray) 20 do bis assessment work or
Iose his interest. All my work dovetalis
nicely in. has plausible look AMI shows
no faw. vet it is Mi absolutely made from
whole cloth.
This Is the most extraordinary thing !
ever heard Of said 10 hifn-
This country Is fnl OF extraordinary
thing" be quietly replied.
Where does this edition GOT" / asked.
Clara. bring me the mailing LIST "
+ glanced oTer the list. ard saw that II
ernbrseea the leading banking houses q
London ard New York. rs weii ~
the rensers oi finance and mining
NV own name was oddly enough or
The list. About a hundred copies wers
mailed. and every one went here it would
do the nsgst gund.