Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-02-01

boys, Oct attsr two ycrrs they ale still
holding their own. More than that, after
a carefully prepared plan on the part OF the
old man 20 bring them TO terms, they beat
Elm at bis own game, and now he doesn't
know where to begin at them again.
The plan was this: The last payment OF
$3.50. 900 was due on Jan. ? last, and when
Claus heard that the boys were hard up
for ready cash he saw all the money lend
ers in San Francisco and arranged with
them not to make any loan TO the boys.
Then he waited for his victory. On Jan. 2
he sent a messenger TO the boys for the
$3.50, 900, expecting as an answer a plea for
compromise. Then he thought he could
make his own terms and resume his former
position as undisputed boss OF the family.
But the messenger returned with a certi-
fed check for the full amount. Some
money lender had worked to windward OF
the old gentleman and the latter Is after
his scalp with a vengeance.
BEGINNING OF THE SUGAR KING.
All this Is but a small chapter In the
career OF Claus Spreckes. He bs worth to-
day anywhere from twenty 10 sixty mil
lions. and perhaps more. And he has ac-
complished all this in the face Of many
hsndicaps. His education. to begin with,
amounted to nothing. His English is
broken aud heavily favored with the ac-
cent OF the Fatherland. But his money
making genius was Of the indomitable
kind which smashed every barrier into
flinders.
Small wonder, then. hat the two sons
should allow nothing. even family senti-
ment, to stand In the way OF their financial
progress. The old gentleman's thirst for
lucre made a great number OF men groan.
but il looks like a backbanded swipe on the
part OF Dame Fortune 10 use his own
sons for the purpose Of retaliation.
A GROCER AT FIRST.
1t Is interesting at this period to tsllow
the fortune building OF Claus Spreckels.
AS a newly arrived Immigrant; In New
York he at once proceeded TO hunt EN-
ri. ant. Un wee ~~shle 10 speak the
English language and being the youth OF no
education worth mentioning, was not at all
particular as to the nature OF the work he
got. so long as II was work. and brought In
the money he was after. But he possessed
a commercial spirit. and an inclination to
barter. and IL was not long before he had o
corner grocery. wore a white apron, and.
with limping speech. was booming the
quality and quantity Of his stock in trade.
But usine dragged and collections were
somewhat difficult. There was a livelihood
In the grocery. but Claus wanted more.
He bought a grocery at Louisville. but took
up his march again after the American dol
lar n brought up at New Orleans. When
he heard that gold had been discovered In
California he started straightway for the
racine coast.
NO MINES FOR HIM.
other men were taking claims. getting
shot and cut all to pieces, and accumulat-
ing more OF less gold dust meanwhile. but
Claus was l?t Of a speculative turn OF mind
NJ mat particular period or CTS the. ain~..-
can dash and enterprise had not then made
an impression on his German thrift and
caution. Therefore. while adventurous
spirits were out In the mountains hghting
and digging like wildcats. Claus was con-
tent TO resume his white apron and corner
grocery. which he did In San Francisco.
Money was plenty and profits very large
Claus saw his bank account grow day by
day. He sent to Germany for his brothers
and they came In the next ship.
Then Spreckels and his brothers bought
an interest In q brewery. Their bank ac-
count grew larger than ever, and when
Claus was offered something like SIS. 900
for his interest In the brewery he accepted
the money and invested In q sugar refinery.
The refinery vas doing . large and psodts-