Evening journal., 1905-06-10
OUTCOME 0F A JOKE.
Money to laveling Man
Hair cu' rs a Home.
EIGHT GENTS GROWS TO 100000

EIGHT GENTS GROWS TO 100000 |
Coppers Contributed by Travelling
Men TO Pay Companions Barber
Bill Become Nucleus of Fund For
National Home at Cedar Rapids, Ia.
For widows of knights OF the Grip.
Eight cents contributed as Joke to
buy a Sheldon Qal travelling man
hair cut at Sioux City, Ia, four years
ago has formed the nucleus for a fund
which will build a national home for
the widows and orphans Of the knights
Of the grip, says an Eldora Qa) dis
patch to the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
The building viii be erected in Iowa,
inasmuch as the national body bestow-
ed upon the state the privilege IN recog-
milton Of the planning and promotion OF
the original scheme A number Of the
cities Of the state are clamoring for
the location Of the home. and at the
coming meeting Of the order TO be held
soon at Cedar Rapids, this will be de
cided. 1t has been decided to spend at
least 100000 for the establishment OF
this national home, and, having the
patronage of the national association,
il will be the pride Of every travelling
man in the nation.
Il. w. Houck Of Sheldon Is the famed
travelling man for whom the original
eight pennies were subscribed. Houck
struck Sioux City four years ago with
a draft Of $3.50 in his pocket and not
penny in money. The fellow travelling
men learned Of his predicament early
in the day, and, for joke and for the
purpose Of having some fun at his ex-
pense. spread the rumor around at the
various hotec that the draft was bo-
gus and that any one who cashed It
would be swindled. The banks and
some Of the Sioux City stores were also
notified. and poor Houck found himself
unable TO obtain money for his draft
To add TO his predlcament members
Of the order suggested that a penny
collection be subscribed at the morning
session OF the state meeting TO buy
their Sheldon friend a hair cut Eight
cents were contributed. and Houck re-
| fused TO accept the purse, and the sum
was turned over 70 the secretary. c.
| Oimstead, who guarded the S cents all
through the year, and nj the next state
meeting laid particular stress In his an
nuai report about the eight cent Houck
fund In the treasury. Houck, In a rath-
or bantering manner told the members
of the order In convention assembled
that the cents was not enough to pay
! for hair cut and suggested another
collection be taken at once. This was
done. and with a good will many more
pennies were added TO the Houck fund
Secretary Olmstead carefully guard
ed this addition 10 the fund for another
twelve months and then at the annua
meeting nj Cedar Rapids, Ia, last veal
the members became somewhat seri
Gus about the fund. It was suggested
that the money be used for some gooC
purpose. a basis Of a fund for home
A resolution was presented and adopt
ed to the effect that a delegation b.
sent 10 the national meeting, asking
l that a national home be built in Iowa
D The proposition at once met with
; hearty and unanimous approval by th
national council.
A third collection was then take
and this time dollars took the plac
of pennies. drafts commenced TO roll 4
= to Secretary Olmstead and throughou
the last year the local lodges over tn
state have contributed TO the Houc
| fund. and now a big deposit is in th
= hands Of the treasurer credited 10 th
national building fund. The travelin
men all over the state are enthusiast
over the prospects Of a new building
the state and the chief interest at tn
: Cedar Rapids meeting viii be centere
about the location OF the home.
Comparatively few people kno'
about the L. c. T., as 1t has "blow
its horn" but little. so to speak. lIeI
= are some Of the benefits whit con
!. from its organization;
! If a member is injured his case
looked into Immediately by the Officer
Of the local council and he draws S.
= a week as long as he is disabled.
he dies as the result Of an accident b
= wife or beneficiary receives $1,000 cas-
= and s25-a week for 'ffty-two weeks.
$4,000. If he dies from natural caus'
y and leaves his wife or family depen
' ent his wife win receive a pension
$3.50 a year as long as she lives unma
!. ried and each Of his children receive
$40 a month till sixteen years Of ag
Ample provision will be made in Il
annual dues Of each member in Il
world for the support Of the nation
home. This travelling mems order
+ now organizing in every state In d
Tfufnn