Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-28

| nave Invested tnelC uOuey III ~ ueiiCSS
that under favorable conditions the
Tomato-Fig syrup would yield hand
some profit. Among the stockholders
are Mr.. Johnson, of the firm of John
son & Brothers, the largest coal dealers
in this city; George Harvey, of Har-
vey's famous oyster house Mr.. Ora.
ham, who has the government contract
for all the lithographing work in the
patent Office. Mr.. Butts, the secretary
and manager, owns the formula, and
the fact that he was also the original
owner of the bromo-seltzer remedy
induces the stockholders to believe
that there is big money to be made
out of the Tomato-Fig syrup if the
business is pushed vigorously.
At present some of the stockholders
are timid about advancing further
capital to enlarge the business and
properly advertise the remedy, hence
the business is at a standstill for the
want Of funds. AS far as can learn,
DR.. Strait paid for his stock but l
cannot learn just what amount he in
vested. He was selected as president
of the company, because of his position
in congress. 1t is the practice in this
city to get congressman, when possible,
to head experimental companies or
enterprises. One of the stockholders
told me yesterday that he had attend
ed several meetings, and he was con
vinced that DR.. Strait lacked both
ability and enterprise to be at the
head of this concern.
Mr.. Harvey says he has tried the
remedy on a. number of his friends,
and it is sure cure for constipation.
If the stockholders would put up suf-
fcient money to give the syrup good
advertisement he is confident that it
would be q money making concern.
Just how much of the syrup has been
manufactured he is unable to state.
He is also unable to state why DR..
Strait was chosen as president. 1t is
supposed that Mr. Butts suggested him
because of his public position. The
best business man in the company, Mr..
Johnson, was selected treasurer, and
so far as can ascertain there is moth
ing "crooked" about the concern.
Butts has figured in several patent
medicine schemes before as promoter |;
but it appears that he generally sells
out cheap, while his SUCCESSORS come in
and make big money out of his formu-
la, as in the bromo-seltzer and bromo-
lithia decoctions or compounds.
DR.. Walter, the owner of the build
ing in which the laboratory is located,
has tried to collect the rent from sew
eraI of the individual stockholders.
Butts is out of town, and so-the mat
ter stands. Butts is trying to raise
sufficient money to resume operations
in the fall, and in the meantime Land
lord Walter is hoping that his rent may
be forthcoming. He has been offered
some of the stock for rent due, but be
prefers the money, if he can get it.
While I believe the defeat of DR..
Strait would be beneficial to the Fifth
district, I cannot find anything in the
Tomato-Fig syrup transaction to con-
demn, unless it can be proven that the
doctor received his stock in considera-
ton for the use of his name as presi-
dent of the concern. ! cannot prove
that, for Mr.. Harvey says DR.. Strait
and all the of the stockholders paid
their assessments, but unfortunately
the amount was not sufficient to prop
erly conduct the business.
r. NJ. LARNER.