The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-02
A FLORIDA Phosphate STORY.
How erich Deposit" Planned Out
One $3 "Critter.''
From the New York Press.


One SO "Critter"
From the New York Press.
My old friend, Maj. NJ. r. Marks, is in
town. His whiskers are waving In the
spring zephyrs, and his eyes are peeled
against the assaults of the investor. The
major has been on the edge of a million
oftener than any other man in the uni
verse, and at 65 he is still in the ring, hop
ing and persevering. 1 winked at Luck
EFT to get out his kodak and take a snap
shot on the sly not imagining that the
major was "on," but the dear old fellow
said: Tip, If you are goin to do it, do
it right. I'd like to take a real good one
back to Florida with me-" AT the corner
of Duane street and Broadway he posed,
and a dozen newsboys were taken with
him.
When the phosphate craze was at its
hight a man of the name of Bradley APP
peared in Florida to purchase land. He
was what he himself called a Plttsburg
Yankee, and declared he could do any
land dealer In Florida" In about week
he had a chance to buy an interest In a
phosphate bed, which our old friend, St.
Clair of New Hampshire, just defeated
for Governor, wanted the worst sort
In order to get ahead of the rush, Brad
ley sneaked a trade with the purchaser,
a native, who had invested his last $1,000
in the property. let me in for half" he
pleaded. ''rll put up the money" The
Cracker finally sold out the entire eighty
acres to Bradley for 5000, and Bradley
came North to make 100000 on the bar
gain.
Bradley shipped down half a dozen
horses, twenty dogs. carriages, servants,
ammunition, fishing tacle, ETC., and spread
himself generally. He didn't want to let
the Boston and Philadelphia boys believe
he had a good thing. They whispered to
him: Say, Brad, let us in. You know we
are anxious to go in with you on this deal
Wen put up all the money that's neces-
sary." Brad replied, nonchalantly: Gen
tlemen, I've got the biggest thing in the
world. I've enough phosphate in my
mines to fertilize the universe, and l will
not be persuaded to part with a pound
You fellows may come down and hunt and
fish with me, but keep your hands off my
mines" His indifference drove them phos-
plate mad, and they would have gone TO
any lengths to acquire an interest. 1t Is
the same old story.
One day Bradley, after having his fun at
fishing and hunting, said he would like to
have his eighty acres surveyed. and asked
Mai. Marks if he knew a good surveyor.
The major held out his hand. remarkins
How much?" What do you mean?" ask
ed Brad. well" said the major, who had
been Mayor of Orlando for sixteen terms
and had sold half of the state of Florlda
to Yankees and received "a quarter back
in return for kindnesses. you must paw
as you go down here. You have Just given
Echols 5000 for a leetle information and
phosphate, and if you want an engineer I
can give you the best one in the state. II
will cost you hundred to learn his name J"
Brad skinned off, century from his wad
and handed it over The major. beckonine
to corner hold-up, said: Here. George
take this hundred. You've been OUT Of a
job for two weeks and you need Il. Now
take your instrument and survey Mr.
Bradley's property, and do him a good
job"
The engineer, a faithful, capable man
failed to find an ounce of phosphate IN
the entire eighty acres, which had cost
Bradley $1,000 He so reported. But Rrad
had his fun at fishing and killing deer
When about 10 start North again he mat
"a Florida Cracker just over his line ana
questioned him. The man said he guess
ed he was all right. NO" said Brad
You are too far In. You have stepned
over your line" MY line? l ain't rot
no line" Don't you own the propertv
adjoining miner" Property? l don't