The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-22
AMES SAYS HE'S OUT STORY OF
The Northwestern Miller Does Some
Vigorous Biographical Work.
GOES AFTER A BUCKET-sHoP MAN
Indiana to Beat the
BoOkies.

George J. Hammond, of the Coo Com
mission company, Bank Of Commerce
building, this city, Is the subject of an
entertaining sketch from the facile pen
of w. C. Edgar, in the current issue of the
the proposition that this is an age of spe-
cialties and that to succeed in life young
man must needs equip himself with all
the rudiments and a thorough going
knowledge of some one branch of business,
the article declares that the new profess
sion of practical bucket shopping" has
opened up new field of endeavor which
promises rich financial returns. AS par
tlcular exponent of this calling, Mr.. Ham
mond is introduced to the reader with the
observation that his record will be found
both interesting and Instructive
The ambitious young man, anxious to
start out on a career Of this sort, is ad-
montshed that true success in the bucket
shop line is gained only at the expense of
intense and persistent effort, acute men
tai exertion and a strong desire to win,
and that 1t also requires knowledge of
the law and activity in evading it; quick,
1nc1s1ve action is demanded, together with
nlmble wit and as much GOODNESS and
nerve as the profession of tight-rope
walking. -
The article then traces Mr. Hammond S
business career in the bucket shop line,
rec1ting that in 1898 in Chicago he was
thrashed by board of trade member
whose name had been given by Hammond
as reference without authority. The
article goes on: ..>
An Indiana Incident.
The next recorded appearance of Mr., Ham
mond was on a lovely May day in 1898. The
scene was in the country few miles from
q n rr11in ot%,
The gentle breeze sang sweetly through the
tree-tops, all nature was joyous. and the
birds caroled blithely. The spring air re.
sounded to the sharp whack of the wood
pecker tapping. Emulating this industrious
little bird, were two gentlemen, late OF Chi
cago; Mr.. Hammond, with his 'inside ad-
vices carefully concealed beneath his hat
and his old friend and reference, Mr.. Stone.
They, too, were tapping. While the Indiana
woodpecker tapped the telegraph pole the
two merry companions amused themselves
by tapping the wires. Both bird and men
were after the early worm. The bird prob
ably secured his victim, but the gentlemen
were less successful. Their object was to
obtain information whereby bookmaker of
Evansville might be made to realize that
gambling is uncertain and immoral. Just
as they had become interested in their work.
patriotic old farmer living near by dis
covered them. This good man was lover
of his country, and seeing the tappers tap
ping knew at once that they were Spanish
spies. He accordingly sent word to the
sheriff and summoned his neighbors to as
sist him in capturing the enemy.
Behold in the next scene the two accom-
plshed gentlemen from Chicago surrounded
by a group of loyal farmers who imagined
that they had in custody the secret ennis
saries Of Spain. Explanation and excuse were
alike unavailing; the yeomen declined to be
beguiled into releasing their captives and
only when the sheriff appeared to take charge
of them would they let go. The sheriff haled
hte alleged spies to the nearest Jail and
there, in durances vile, Mr.. Hammond and
his friend closed their May day excursion.
1t was at this time that Chief Colleran- Of
Chicago paid an unsolicited tribute to the
high character and standing of the two gem
tlemen by telegraphing as follows: "Ston>
is one of the best wire-tappers known. Ham
mond is his partner. Have been in similar
trouble before but never convicted" After
remaining awhile as guests Of the public,
the two friends separated. Mr.. Stone, at the
urgent request of Judge Grosscup, consenting
to try six months sojourn in one of the
state institutions. Mr.. Hammond excused
himself from accompanying his partner by
urging another engagement and judge Gross
cup reluctantly admitted that he had no
jurisdiction and accepted Mr.. Hammond's
regrets. 49, .'.t .
MIR. Hammond Undisturbed.
When Mr.. Hammond's attention was
called to the article in the Miller, he
smiled scornfully and observed that he
didn't notice the swapping Of small dogs
''That is the first time have seen the
article he remarked, "and in fact, may
say, the first time have ever seen that
paper. local publication, is it? Never
heard of it before. l don't know that 1t
calls for any particular statement on my
part It might be we'll to say, referring
to the Indian incident, for the benefit OF
those who accuse me of being a wire
Taper, that the science of telegraphy has
recently progressed SO far that we can
now cut out the use of the wire alto
gether by resorting to the 'marconi' sys-
TEN. The fact is that I'm making so much
more money than any of these fellows
that they are jealous of me, and now seek
to damage my business by Safeguarding
me nthe papers. Let them fire away; it
doesn't make a particle of difference TO
me. It certainly comes with poor grace
from my critics to drag in Luke Colleran,
former chief of detectives at Chicago, as
a star witness against me. Everyone
knows Colleran's story. The papers were
full of it a few months ago. He was one
of the most notorious rogues ever dis
graced and discharged from the Chicago
police force. 49, III
GAS to doing bushes on anything but a
firm foundation, I wish to say that we
have money enough on deposit in banks
through this and adjoining states to meet
all our liabilities and met them promptly.
We are delivering the goods and our pat
rons seem we'll satisfied with the quality
of goods received