Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1895-11-21
HOW NOT 70 PROSPER.
An Object Lesson From Practical Bushes,
Life.

s. ~ : ! 9
From the st. Cloud Daily JournalPress.l
The pecnlarities of human nature
have a forcible illustration in the bust
ness development of st. Louis county,
Minnesota Three or four years ago
several brothers named MERIT, who
had followed the business of timber
exploring for many years, discovered
through their employees valuable iron
deposits in the swamps and dense
woods of Northern Minnesota. They
were without means but succeeded in
enlisting sufficient Minnesota capital
10 partially construct railroad and to
begin mining developments at one or
two points. Every one wished them
well, and no legislative or other OBJ
stacle was placed in their path.
Business circumstances changed and
the railroad and some of the mining
companies organized under the Merritt
auspices were upon the point Of bank
ruptcy in the panic of 1898. Knives
were drawn and hloodshed threatened
by their unpaid miners. The employees
Of the railroad were on the point Of riot.
Contractors were attacked and knocked
down. Attachments and lines were
numerously fled, while the paper II
the railroad and of its promoters was
going toprotest on every hand and their
properties covered with judgments. In
these depressing circumstances, they
turned towards outside capital for re-
lief, and although, according to their
own statements, they visited all the
principal cities Of the country, no sim
gle capitalist was willing to turn to
their relief except Rockefeller Of New
York. Rockefeller loaned them money
for their personal relief and advanced
great Gums for their various enter.
prises, saving them from impending
ruin and making their bankrupt stocks
valuable. Finally he bought them out.
Itsappeass that Rockefeller soon had
some three millions invested in Min
nesota, and has ever since been adding
to these investments in the develop
mont Of these costly properties.
The riotous employees at the railroad
and mines, threatened with starvation,
were paid in full. The contractors
were honorably settled with. The
mammoth dock under construction at
Duluth was completed. Branch rail-
road lines were extended New mining
properties were opened. The city Of
Duluth was saved from utter wreck,
employment given to thousands Of men
st an expense ct hundreds OF thousands
Of dollars. While banks were failing
everywhere else, not q bank in Duluth
failed. On the contrary their clearan-
ces showed positive Increase. All this.
at time when the Industries Of the.
country were paralyzed and men most
needed work. ss:s7
Under these circumstances, It would
secm natural that Rocke Her should be
treated with ordinary fairness. But
herei is whore the perversity Of human
nature comes in. Rockefeller Is rich.
because he Is rich he Is marked 90 fair
game. Last winter powerful lobby
was orgspizcd and the Legislature Inn
plored to drive him from tho state and
practically condscats his property.
The newspapers Of the state have been
flooded with hostile articles, the aim Of
which has been to create adverse pub
lie sentiment 30 that he should not have
fair play. Every possible scheme which
cunning could sdvise has been worked
20 prevent justice being done. Apa-t
from III other conside rations, this is
bad policy. Hostility 81 this kind
against capitsl Apek ling Investment II
our state will serve only s. : warning
20 other capitalists and an invitation TO
L. A{,e - !. ~ - r.