The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-28
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Treachery Of n. Fisbee.


An Indiana town may lie asleep long
time, but there always comes day when
it wakes up; and Platville had wakened in
August when the Herald" became a daily
and Eph Watts struck oil. 1t was then
| that history began to be made. The
"Herald' printed News, and the paper
was sold every morning at stands in all
the towns in that section of the state. It's
circulation tripled. Parker talked of new
presses; two men were added to his staff
and a reporter was brought from Rouen
| to join Mr.. Fisbee. The Herald" doomed
the oil-felds; people swarmed into town;
the hotel was crowded; strangers became
no sensation whatever capitalist
bought the whole north side Of the square
| to erect new stores, and the Carlow bank
began the construction of new bank
building of Bedford stone on Main street.
| Then 1t was whispered, next affirmed
that the Herald" had succeeded in an
other of it's enterprises, and Main street
was to be asphalted That was the end
Of the 'old days. Of Platville.
There was a man who had laid the
foundation upon which the new Platvlle
was to be built he who, through the quiet
| labor of years, had stamped his spirit up
on the people, as their own was stamped
upon him; but he lay sick in his friends
house and di not care. One day Meredith
| found him propped up in bed reading a
|
eye.
of the 3Oth received. Every one here is very
glad to know that your health is so far i'm
proved as to admit of your writing; and it is
our strongest hope that you will soon be COM
| pletely recovered.
New subscriptions coming in at a slightly
advanced rate since my last letter; you will
| see they are distributed several counties,
| when you examine the books on your return.
And | am glad to state that with arrange
ment for Gainesville the Herald is selling
every morning at prominent store in all the
towns within the radius determined on.
Our plan Of Offering the daily with no advance
| on the price Of the former tri-weekly issue
issue quarto every day (at the price,
| instead of week 1 think expert
ence warrants the experiment. 1t is my belief
that our present circulation will be increased
40 per cent. Please advise me If you approve
| OF course, this would mean further increase
of our working force, and we should have tc
| bring another man from Rouen-possbly two
| more-but | think we need not fear such Ell
| largements.
| should tell you that 1 have taken you al
your word entrusting with the entire charge
of your interests here. and had the storeroon
adjoining the office put in shape. and offered
1t to the telegraph company for half the rent
they were paying in their former quarters over
the postoffce They have moved In; and this
In addition to giving US our dispatches direct II
a reduction of expense. ~ . "f" - - fEt
Mr.. Watts informs me that the Standard
liberal offer and terms settled. The boon
is not hollow. it Is simply awakening; and tn,
town, so long a dependant upon the impetus O.
agriculture for its trade, is developing a pros
perity of its other lines as we'll. Stran
gers every day; oil has fabricated ever,
commercial joint. Contracts have been let TO
three new brick business @ buildings to be erected
your Main street frontage will have double,
by December and possibly you may see fit t.
tear away the present building and put up an
other instead The investment might be profit
able. The Herald could find room on the secon
and third floors, and the first could be let t
stores.
regret that you find your copy of the pape
for the Goth overlooked In the mail. and tha
your messenger could find none for you at th