The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-02-01

boys. Cut after two years they are still
holding their own. More than that, after
q carefully prepared plan on the part of the
old man to bring them to terms, they beat
Kim at his own game, and now he doesn't
know where to begin ct them again.
The plan was this: The last paymen. OF
1885,. 900 was due on Jan. 9 last, ard 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, 600, 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 tho 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 Spreckels. He Is worth to-
day anywhere from twenty to sixty mil
lions, and perhaps more. And he has ac-
complished all this in the face OF many
handicaps. His education, to begin with,
amounted to nothing. His English is
cent of tho Fatherland. But his money
making genius was OF the ~indoEnitable
kind which smashed every barrier into
flinders.
Small wonder, then, that the two sons
should allow nothing, even family senti-
n,ent, to stand in the way OF their financial
progress. The old gentleman's thirst for
llcre made a great number Of men groan.
but it looks like a backhanded 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 20 t:.loW
the fortune building Of Claus Spreckels.
AS a newly arrived immigrant In New
York he at once proceeded to hunt en-
nj. ont. He mae rrnhie to speak the
| English language n being the youth of nc
education worth mentioning, was not at all
particular as to the nature of the work he
got, so long as it was work. and brought In
the money he was after. But he possessed
a commercial spirit, and an inclination te
barter, and 1t was not long before g had 9
corner grocery, wore a white aproh, and
with limping speech, was booming tht
quality and quantity OF his stock in trade
But business dragged and collections were
somewhat difficult. There was a LIVELIHOOD
in the grocery, but Claus wanted mere
He bought a grocery at Louisville. but tool
up his march again after the American dol
lar and brought up at New Orleans. Wher
he heard that gold had been discovered IL
California he started straightway for the
Pacific coast.
NO MINES FOR HIM.
Other men were taking claims, getting
shot and cut all to pieces, and accumulat
ing more or less gold dust meanwhile. bu
s 81 9nas rp psF HlPs fs q p sDsssla 81 n's t1 lile. q ANN MIN,
can dash and enterprise had not thsn mad
an Impression on his German thrift an
caution. Therefore, while adventurou
spirits were out In the mountains fightinl
and digging like wildcats. Claus was con
tent to resume his white apron and corne
grocery, which he did in San Francisco
Money was plenty and profits very large
Claus saw his bank account grow day b,
day. He sent to Germany for his brother
and they came in the next ship.
Then Spreckels and his brothers bough
an interest In a brewery. Their a &C
count grew larger than ever, and whel
Claus was offered something like $500
for his interest in the brewery he accepte
the money and invested in a sugar refinery
The refinery We: doing Q large and profta