Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-03-02
FOUGHT ROAD TILL HE DIED.
Old Iowa Farmer Had Lona Contest With
A Corporation

| Corporation
w. b. Arnold, founder and owner of
Arnold Park, the summer resort at
Lake Okoboji, in Iowa. is dead. dying
with regret that he could not live to
continue his fight against the Chics-
go, Milwaukee add st. Paul Railway.
For 20 years, single handed, he had
fought the big corporation, says the
Minneapolis Tribune.
| His little farm embraced the most
desirable section of shore and contain
ed practically all the natural woodland
to be found on the beautiful lake. When
the Milwaukee decided to extend its
line to this summer resort it assumed
that 1t would have no difficulty in buy
ing his land.
But Arnold had ideas OF his own re-
gardina fair price for his land. He
demanded 81, 500. The railroad would
pay but $1,000 He would not yield,
He was told to think it over. Another
year rolled by and the representative
of the Milwaukee opinsd that he could
have his plic,.
but my price is $4,000 now" said
Arnold.
Come, now, take 81, 800 and we'll
call it bargain.' urged the railroad
man.
Arnold wouldn't hear of it. The rail
road man threatened to start rival
park on the other shore of the lake.
Arnold laughed at him. There WAS
no location that would compare with
his and he defi-d the Milwaukee to do
its worst. He said that the tract was
yielding him big revenue and increAs-
ing in value each year because OF in
crease patronage of the summer tour
lst.
Two years later high official OF the
Milwaukee Came to Mr.. Arnold, stat
ing that he bore an olive branch. He
said he wanted to apologize for his
predecessor and was anxious to be rea-
sonable. He was willing to pay slo.-
200 for his place, thOngh he didn't
think 1t was worth 1t.
My price is now $40, 900, "answsrsd
Arnold.
You must be joking" urged tho
railroad man.
Arnold said he was in dead earnest.
The railroad man came back with q
counter offer of $4,000 and was as
founded at ArnoId's rejoindsr, and
there now was hatred In his voice
You've waited too long. My price
has gone up $4,000 l won't take a
cent less than $50 900 for my place"
The railroad man, thoroughly an
gered, suggested that Arnold couldn't
do any business if the railroad refused |
to make special rates for excnrsionists. |
This made Arnold madder than ever, |
but the climax was not reached until |
last April, three days after Arnold's |
seventieth birthday.
Once again railway official came
all the way from Chicago to negotiate
with him. In the meantime the Mil |
waukee had financed the construction |
of rival resort on a sandy beach on |
another shore, but it was subjected to
the fiercest rays of the sun during the
summer and failed TO prosper. 1t had
served to embitter Arnold the more,
however. The Milwa ukess envoy was
prepared to pay $50 900 last April and
end the controversy once for all.
My price is $4,000" replied Ar
mold.
Never" answered the railroad man
We'll take off sll our excursion trains
and allow no special rates first
VERY well. NV price has gone up
to $50, 900, if that's the way you feel
about it,. The railroad man had aD
other think coming snd offered to pay
the $4,000.
Never ~ thundersd Arnold. "Y our
old railroad hasn't enough money to
buy me out. | wouldn't sell my price
for $4,000 600. I've got all the money
want. anyway, and can live in com
fort until die, even il you do discon'
tinue your excursions. 1t will hurt
you worse than me. :"
And Arnold thereafter nsver budged.
The Milwaukee Immediately announc-
ed that Lo Okoboji excursions would
be run this year and kept its word.
Arnold kept his to the last.