The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-18
Starts an Auction Sale and They
Have Him Arrested,
He Proposes TO Fight the Case TO
the Bitter End.
His Trial Is Set for tuesday Morning
al Ten O'clock,
From Mondays Daily.

\. NJ. Stein, the well-known clothing
man of this city, has bumped into the
Rochester Merchants association and
that organization has had him arrested
''fOr ringing a bell on the street to at
tract people to his auction and for hold
ing the same" both in violation of an or
dinance passed July 6, 1891, and amended
March J. 1898.
The warrant was sworn out by Will
Weber, acting for the Rochester Mer-
chants association and the arrest oc-
CURED at 3:l5 o'clock Saturday after
noon.
Mr.. Stein advertised the fact that the
auction would start at two o'clock Sat
urday afternoon, and on Thursday night
the Rochester Merchants association held
a meeting and decided that he should be
arrested if the program were carried out.
Promptly at the hour stated Mr.. Stein
got busy with his auction A small boy
was set at work ringing a bell and the
people crowded the store, while the auc
tioneer was pouring forth eloquence in
chunks and inducing the spectators to
buy. Mr.. Stein expected to be arrested
as he had heard of the action of the
Merchants association.
The stock which is being sold by Mr.
Stein consists of dry goods and millinery
and which was purchased by him from
the Mullen estate.
Mr.. Stein, accompanied by his attor-
ney, Thomas Spillane, went to Justice
Richardson's office Immediately after the
papers had been served on him, and
pleaded not guilty to both charges. His
trial was set for Tuesday morning at
ten o'clock
In conversation with representative
of The Post and Record Mr.. Weber, sec
rotary of the Merchants association,
said: 1--WE do not wish to hurt Mr..
STEMS business. We regard him as a
good business man, and understand that
in Mankato where he is established he
bears an excellent reputation. But for
the protection of our own merchants,
and for those that have been engaged in
business here for many years, we believe
that he should be stopped. We do not
wish to criticise the goods which Mr.
Stein is selling. The public has eyes.
For the protection of Rochester bust
ness men we are taking this action, and
with no malice against the man who is
carrying on the auction"
MI. stem SalU: As l. nave Deeu given
to understand by the action of the COM
mon council, that l may sell my goods
at auction, propose to do so. The mer-
chants of Rochester are very kind to
help me advertise it. l do not wish to
break the law and [ believe | can sell
my goods and still remain within the
bounds prescribed by the state legisla-
ture. My goods are not trash. They are
what remains from the original Mullen
stock. The fact that my store is crowd
ed every day testifies as to whether or
not my goods are what 1 claim. You can
fool part of the people all the time, all
of the people part of the time, but can
not fool all the people all the time.
take their hearty and continued patron
age as my best recommendation. l shall
fght this to the end"
As a matter of fact Mr.. Stein rather
enjoys the whole proceedings and he pro-
poses to give the Rochester merchants
run for their money.