The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-14
PAYS Sll2 FOR SO.
Excessive Interest Exacted From a
Poor Man for a $40
Loan.
He Is Now Threatened With the
Loss Of His Household
Goods.

Having borrowed $40 and having paid
$112 as interest on the same, Joseph
G. Clark, an aged invalid of no means at
all and a family to support, is now
threatened with the loss of his household
goods II he does not pay the principal
sum OF his loan and accrued interest
The case is one which appeals strongly
to those familiar with the circumstances,
and such persons think it is time that Of
ficers were looking after those who prey
upon the poor to learn whether there are
not other cases besides that of Clark
The story of the Clark case Is a pitiful
one. Clark and his family reside at 154
Lyndale avenue N. Clark Is an old man
and is slowly dying Of consumption. He
Is without means and has wife and step
daughter to support. For five years he
has been paying to W. H. Adamson, 526
Boston blosk, money He has paid SLIP for
a $40 loan and now that the monthly
payments Of 50 have ceased the money
lender threatens with shylock tenacity
to foreclose on the poor mans little stock
Of household furniture. j. w. Crane, a
local attorney, has been interested in the
case. however,, and trouble seems to be in
store for Mr.. Adamson, If he persists.
cIark's Own Story.
Mr.. Clark told the story to urn
reporter and backed up his statements
by papers and receipts, essentially as fol-
lows:
IT have been a sick man for many
years. I have been unable to work
more than part Of the time and then
at very poor wages. I have my wife
and stepdaughter to support and have
often been SO hard up that didn't know
just where my next meal was coming
from. In April, 1898, was out Of work
and we were destitute. I didn't have
money to buy bread. In my trouble !
went to Mr.. Adamson, the money lender.
I got from him $40 in return for which
gave him my note for s12 payable in
thirty days and mortgage on my house
hold goods. :,
up to December, 1902 paid Adamson
50 every month or SIP in all. These
payments have been made in small
amounts and were all I could POSSIBLY
afford. When I was behind he would
keep bounding me until I paid and !
simply didn't dare to refuse to give up
the money for fear he would take away
my furniture.
Couldn't Pay More.
Finally, last December I couldn't pay
and that was all there was to it. Not
long ago he sent man to me and said
that If didn't pay up he would foreclose
on my furniture and take it all away from
me. I was scared, but couldn't get the
money. A little while ago I went to see
Mr.. Crane and he is now going to take
care Of the case for me. I don't know
what will be done as I don't understand
anything about law but I know that
Adamsons man has come to my place
several times, Saturday was the last,
and has even tried to break into the
house to get furniture I won't give II
up unless I have to. What could we dc
without it?''
The old man was nearly in tears while
telling of his troubles and Mr.. Crane
had to comfort him with the assurance
TT Is all right now. I will watch the case
for you. Don't worry. He can't hurt
you"
4 Adamson Threatens. Il
When the attorney went to see the
money lender about the case Mr.. Adam
son assumed a very naughty air and said
he had rights" and intimated that he
was not thru with the case yet and that
ha would the f11nif11ra all RIGHT