The Red Cloud chief., 1895-08-02

STORIES OF WEALTH EXAGGERATED.
"Yes, but not ia recent years. Ia
fact. il never was as rich as the world
thought il. The idea Of the great
wealth Of the society probably came
from the knowledge that somewhere
it had a great buried treasure, besides
the stories Of its holdings Of railroad,
bridge, water and other stock led to
ideas Of fabulous wealth.
THE fact Of the matter was that
the buried gold, which probably at
most amounted to about $4,000 was
exhausted long ago. Contributions
probably ceased about the time Of
Father Rapp's death. 1 think the
most Of il was taken out as long ago
as the time Of the war, when gold was
at a premium. The last 800. 900 was
used to buy Lake Erie railroad
stock"
"What system did the society have
in the way Of keeping Its financial
accounts 2"
"Therc was no regular system Of
accounting BY the trustees or anybody
else. If there had been, both the So
ciety and the world would have known
the true state Of affairs long before
either did. That Is why the discov.
cry Was such q blow to me.
1.-THE world thought the society
worth millions. l found it to be pos
sessed Of little or nothing beyond
dead assets, and an Indebtedness Of
81, 100000. You may family imag.
Inc the situation l was placed in.
Father Heinrich was liable to die at
any moment, and it was absolutely
necessary that the affairs Of the So
ciety should be in good shape aud
given to the world before his death.
In those days it vas a matter Of
grave Q TO me whether it would
not be best to resign. Nightly, as l
walked my room, l considered the
question Of handing in my resigna-
lion. There seemed to be absolutely
no chance Of steering the ship into
port. The entire available assets at
that time would have sold for not
more than $l75,000. Besides, l had
to face the difficulties and objections
Of the people, who could not realize
that a young man-only 30 years Of
age-was capable Of handling such
grave matters, to say nothing Of the
obstacles cast IN the way by malevo-
lent, disgruntled and malicious scamps
in the society. who, encouraged the
,dca that l had worked myself into
the society to carry of its riches"
"What official pasition did you
hold at that time ?"
III was junior trustee, Father Hen,
rici being the senior. The direction
Of the society's affairs is in the hand.
OF two trustees and nine elders. Ny
position was anything but an enviou'
one. The opposition began its wo,l
Immediately l was made an elder. I
had already been engaged for SOM
time in an effort to depose Fathe
Heinrich.
1T IS perhaps not known to out
siders that Q veritable conspiracy wa
set on foot in the fall of 1891. Tn
aim then was to depose Mr.. Henric
and make somebody else my compan
ion trustee. Happily l discovered
the plot in time. l found it to b
i~nstigated by some OF the younge
members who wanted the position o
trustee themselves. To counterac
this conspiracy l threatened to han'
in my resignation. ! appealed to tn
older members, who insisted on IN,
staying, and the result wal the who'll
plot fell to the ground"
"Why did you object to Fathe'
Heurici's removal from Office, particu
lsrly when you found him incapable
Of directing the affairs of Economy
as they should have been directed p
IL objected because l thought h
deserved much better and much differ
eut treatment from the people fol
whom he had in his own way WORKED
SO hard and zealously. He was oil
and respected, and although his bust
ness methods were not to be com