New-York tribune., 1905-11-12
HE FOUGHT Il RAILROAD.
Death Only PreUented Continuing
Raising Price of Land.

Sioux City Iowa Nov. 10 (Special).-'My
greatest regret In reaving this life is that am
TO longer able to continue my fight with the NIL
waukee railroad. 1t never had enough money
to buy my little tract here so long as hveo.
and hate TO think that it will be possible after
gone
Five hours before his eyes closed in death w
r Arnold. founder and owner of Arnolds Park.
the summer resort at Lake Okoboji- which he
valued at $4,000 000. gave utterance TO the
foregoing passionate declaration of his uncyifs
hatred of the Chicago Milwaukee and ST Paul
Railroad Arnold's death at Arnolds Park
week ago removed of the best known plo-
neers and one of the unique characters who
have contributed to the development Of the
great Hawkeye State.
For twenty years he waged. single handed a
contest with the railway His little farm occu-
pied the most desirable part of the shore. ard
contained practically all the natural woodland
to be found on the beautiful lake When tina
Milwaukee road decided to extend its line TO this
summer resort il assumed that it would have no
difficulty in buying his land.
But Arnold had ideas of his own regarding
fair price for his land. He demanded $500.
The railroad would pay only $4,000 He would
rot yield Very we'll he might think 1t over
Another year rolled by and the representative
of the Milwaukee thought that he could have
his price.
'But my price is $4,000 now. said Arnold
come now Take $500 and We'll call it 4
bargain" Urged the railroad man.
,,rrol,i wouldn't hear to it. The railroad man
tt-catened to start a rival park on the other
shore of the lake. Arnold laughed at him
There was no location that could compare with
his and ne defed the Milwaukee TO go ahead
He insisted that he asking only a fair
price for the tract it was yielding him ols
revenue and increasing in value each year be-
cause of increased patronage of summer tour
lists.
Two years later high official of the Milwau-
keet came to Mr.. Arnold and explained that he
bore the olive branch. He said he wanted to
apologize for his predecessor and was anxious
to be reasonable. He was willing to pay Slo.-
coo for the place. though he didn't think It
worth it.
My price is $4,000" answered Arnold.
'You must be Joking" urged the railroad man.
Arnold said he was in dead earnest The rail-
road man came back with a counter offer or
$4,000 and was astounded at Arnold's re-
joinder:
you've waited too long. My price has gone
up $4,000 I won't take cent less than S2o,-
OU0 for my place.
The railroad man then recognized that he was
dealing with a man of determination He was
angered and suggested that Arnold could not
do any business if the railroad refused TO make
special rates for eXcursionists- This made Ar
mold madder than ever. but the climax was not
reached until last April. three days after Ar
nohi's SEVENTEEN birthday. Once again a high
railway official came all the way from Chicago
to negotiate with him. In the mean tiner the
Milwaukee had financed the construction OF a
rival resort on a sandy beach on the other
shore but It was subjected to the fercest rays
of the sun in the summer and failed TO prosper
IT had served to embitter Arnold the more.
however The Nilwaukee's envoy was prepared
to pay $4,000 last April and end the contro-
versy for all
MY price is $4,000" replied Arnold.
Never" answered the railroad man Wen
take off all our excursion trains and allow no
special rates first. -.
Very we'll My price has gone up to $4,000.
if that's the way you feel about it."
The railroad men had another think coming
and offered to pay the $4,000.
Never thundered Arnold. Your old railroad
hasn't got enough money to buy me out
wouldn't sell my place for S10,0OO.OO0. I've got
all the money 1 want anyway. and can live In
comfort until die, II you do discontinue
your excursions 1t will hurt you worse than
me-"
And Arnold thereafter never budged. Tho
Milwaukee Immediately announced that no Oko-
boil excursions would be this year and kept
its word. Arnold kept his to the last