Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-12-07
Cranks and Crankisms.

Iu the St. Paul Globe of date several
days ago, appeared a telegram from In
dianapolis, Ind., relating how some old
man had entered the governors office
there, and inquired as to the capital o:
North Dakota. Upon being shown a
book, containing the required informa-
ton, the telegram relates further how
the old man, upon discovering a picture
of Gov. Shortridge, announced that he
was a brother Of the governor, who re-
fused to acknowledge him, or even to
answer his letters, and he was full of
wrath at this non-recognition of him.
Inquiry at the Office of the governor
reveals the fact that some weeks ago,
one G. f. Shortridge, of Indianapolis,
wrote to the governor, stating that he
had two brothers who came west some
years ago, and wanted to know whether
or not the governor was one of them.
The letter was duly answered in the
negative, as the governor has but two
brothers, both residents of Missouri,
with whom he has been in communica-
ton, uninterruptedly. But the answer
does not seem to have satisfied the in
quirer, and he seems unwilling to believe
that he is not a long lost brother.
While the circumstance in itself, is
insignificant, it is interesting, as it leads
to a contemplation of the numerous
cranks throughout the country, evidences
Of whose crankism appear at the govern
or's Office, in the shape Of a quite large
and interesting bundle of letters and
communications. They come from all
parts of the union, and even the state Of
North Dakota is not free from their, au-
thors. A fair share. of the letters are
from Emerald, N. D., where the author
Of them fancies himself a state officer
OF some sort, whose salary has been in
arrears since his election. Accordingly,
the greater portions of his communica-
tons are devoted to requests for remit
tances, varying in size from $4,000 to
$500. And although none of the remit
tances have been sent as yet, the fact
does not seem to have dampered the ar
dor of the Emerald correspondent,
who designates himself the Hon. W.
Thompson, land whose urgent requests for
immediate remittances are received by
the governor with the utmost of regu-
larity.
Another prolific source of this class of
correspondence, is n McFadden, form
erly of Grand Forks, but who now occu-
pies a berth in the jamestown asylum.
Mr.. MacFadden confined his appeals to
the governor to writing for a long time,
but finally he tired of this, and about
two months ago, he walked into the OK.
ecutive Office for q personal interview.
I'm here" he announced, lucidIy, upon
entering, ito see about reforming the
world, and I've got the revolutionary
Christ mark, too," and he pointed to q
scar under his chin. He was at once
convinced that the sheriff was the very
man to help him out in his great, reform.
atory work, and, after a little delay, he
was introduced to that official, who
bundled him and the revolutionary
Christ markof to the asylum,from which
place he continues to indite stirring ap.
pesls. IS
A New York correspondent writes
long financial dissertation, in all, about
800 words, upon an ordinary posta!
card, and in this, he attributes the great
suffering now experienced, to the social
and financial power achieved by the
Jews. To remedy this, he proposes tc
initiate Geo. Nv and the Gar, and issue
international coin for the use of those
who are forced to borrow" But perhaps
the most striking and original correspon
dent of all, is n Benjamin F. Hunter
who has a private Office in New Yorl
city, and q residence in Washington
from which he appears to have direct
telephone connections with the Almighty
Mr.. Hunter writes upon letter heads
with his name and scriptural quotations
in large type at the top of the sheet, anC
issues q pronunciamento, as follows:
T1DINGs! TID1NGs!! T1D1NGs!!
Tell it in Bismarck and publish it in tn,
whole Territory that there is a Prophe
among the people with bad and heavy It'd
ings from God, to every nation, Language
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