Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1897-04-16
Something to Think About.

Something to Think About.
EDITOR GRlGGs COURIER.
DEAR SIR:-I feel like writing to
your paper and hope you don't put
it on the ninth page, but what shall I
begin with? | feel like writing page
full anyhow and l wish could write
something that would be worth read
ing. now come to think OF what
would be good for Cooperstown in
Griggs county. Well, there are many
things we cannot have. We cannot
Have summer here the year round like
in some countries and probably it
would not be best If we did. but if |
this climate does not suit you or me,
we are at liberty to go wherever we
please. We have no reason to COM
plain, for there are q variety of cli-
mates in this world.
have seen it mentioned that it
would be a good thing If we had q
starch factory in Cooperstown and l
believe it, and there is another indus
try that would be still more profitable
for the man who would invest in il,
and that is small foundry Small
foundries were doing we'll at the Paci-
tic Coast where [ came from and be-
lieve there would be more money in it
here because iron could. be had very
cheap. just think of all the hundreds
of tons of iron and old machinery that
is lying around the farm yards which
the farmers would be glad to get rid
of at a very low figure. just think OF
it! We could have our special cast
ings aud store repairs made here and
all other castings and tools which are
essential could be made at home.
Just wait q few years and we will see
a small foundry and a starch factory
established here and we know -four
mill will be in operation before next
Christmas. Well, friends and citizens
of Cooperstown, You can probably
agree with me so far, but perhaps not
further in what [ am going to say.
During the past few weeks l have
made a call at almost every door in
our beautiful village as you already
know, and must say that / saw some-
thing [ never expected to see. going
on in such a large scale as it does,
indeed, feel sorry about it, and that
is "card playing. have found, at
any time of the day. gangs of men
around tables playing cards in stores,
in different Office rooms, hotel offices,
restaurants, barber shops and private
houses. 1t certainly looks queer to a
stranger. 1t will make him think this
is a genuine gambling place. Card
playing is not gambling, someone will
say. Well, what is it, if it amt. !
will mention what Rev. Elliot, of New
York City, said at a mems meeting in
Seattle last winter, as he mentioned
the cause of SO many young mems
ruin. He gave hard stroke at King
Alcohol. but in regard to gambling
raising his arm and shaking his head
he said: 81 am down on, and against,
gambling in any form, from pool
playing to marbles" (also the new
game Crokinole), and belieye he is
right. wish to say to you parents
and Christians, if you don't like to
see your boy become a gambler and
land in a gamblers hell, stop your
card playing and other games. I
hereby ask the ministers of Coopers-
town to unite and work against the
above mentioned evil before it goes
too far. l ask you earnestly to take it
into consideration and let the Chris
tians and church members begin with
a good example and others will follow.
must say few words in honor of
our Governor Briggs. l think the
prohibition people OF North Dakota
should get up resolutions in honor
and thanks to him for his noble act.
This puts me in mind of what the
founder of our city, Mr.. R. G. Cooper,
did for our town eleven years ago,
when he closed five saloons, and when
a certain lawyer went around and got
up a petition list to get them open,
which he handed to r. c., and Mr..
Cooper in answer said: ''The saloon
element is not going to run this town
any more.'' 1 must say that always
since have had a deep respect for him
for that noole and wise act, and so I
have for Governor Briggs although
I'm not a republican.
Yours truly.
r. SKANsE.