The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-17
INTERESTING CONTEST
Heavy Cost Of Unpaid Postage

One of the most curious contests
ever before the public was conducted
by many thousand persons under the
offer of the Postum Cereal Co. Ltd, of
Battle Creek, Mich, for prizes of 81
boxes of gold and 800 greenbacks to
those making the most words out OF
the letters Y-I-O-Gra pe-Nuts.
The contest was started in February,
1906 and it was arranged to have the
prizes awarded on Apr. 80, 1906.
When the public announcement ap-
peared many persons began to form
the words from these letters, some
times the whole family being occupied
evenings; a combination of amusement
and education.
After a while the Lists began to come
in to the Postum Office and before long
the volume grew until it required
wagons to carry the mail. Many Of the
contestants were thoughtless enough
to send their lists with insufficient
postage and for a period 1t cost the
Company from twenty-five to fifty
eight and sixty dollars a day to pay
the unpaid postage.
Young ladies, generally those who
had graduated from the high school,
were employed to examine these lists
and count the correct words. Web
SIer s D1cUODaFS was the SIalQarQ ana
each list was very carefully corrected
except those which fell below 5000 for
It soon became clear that nothing be-
low that could win. Some of the lists
required the work of a young lady for
solid week on each individual list.
The work was done very carefully and
accurately but the Company had no
idea, at the time the offer was made.
that the people would respond so gen.
orally and they were compelled to I'LL
1o1 In 70
with these young lady examiners and
notwithstanding they worked steadily,
it was impossible to complete the ex-
animation until Sept. %. over six
months after the prizes should have
been awarded.
This delay caused a great many in
auiries and naturally created some dis
satisfaction 1t has been thought best
to make this report in practically all
Of the newspapers in the United States
and many OF the magazines in order
to make clear to the people the condi-
tons of the contest.
Many lists contained enormous num-
bers of words which, under the rules.
had to be eliminated tPegger" would
count "Peggers' would not. Some
lists contained over $4,000 words the
great majority of which were cut out
The largest lists we're checked over
two and in some cases, three times to
insure accuracy.
The $4,000 gold prize was won by
L. D. Reese. 1227-15th St Denver,
Colo. with 9941 correct words. The
highest $1,000 gold prize went to s. K.
Fraser. Lincoln, Pa. with 1921 cor
rect words
A complete list of the 331 winners
with their home addresses viii be sent
to any contestant enquiring on a postal
card.
Be sure and give name and address
| clearly
This contest has cost the Co. many
| thousand dollars. and probably has not
been a profitable advertisement. never
theless perhaps some who had never
before tried Grape-Nuts food have been
interested in the contest. and from
trial Of the food have been shown its
wonderful rebuilding powers
It teaches in a practical manner
that scientifically gathered food ele-
ments can be selected from the field
I grains. which nature will use for re-
building the nerve centres and brain
in way that Is unmistakable to users
of Grape-Nuts.
There's a reason"
Postum Cereal Co. Ltd, Battle
i Creek, Mich.