The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1906-12-20
State News

been working the Old Barton
farm, near the Belgrade bridge
in Norris township, for about
ten years and has mysteriously
disappeared. MIR. Smit was one
of the best farmers in the county.
With the characteristic fragality
OF his nationality deeply imbed-
ded in him, he made money and
saved it, and was always con
sidered we'll to do. His credit
was always good with the mer-
chants in this city, but he stud
iously avoided running in debt
for anything. His mother and
sister kept house for him out on
the farm, and bel ped him in every
way to accumulate a good share
OF this worlds riches. Smit was
a model farmer, and several land
owners who had farms to rent or
for sale on crop payments, were
anxious to start him in business
for himself, but Smit seemed to
have a horror of debts and could
not be prevailed upon to buy ID
farm of his own. When the res
ervotiOn was opened Smit, his
mother, sisser and a brother who
is addicted to the drink habit, all
FLED on claims, put up buildings,
broke up the land ami put i: in
crop. The crop, however, did
not turn out very well, and Smit
was obliged to borrow money
with which to prove up, and also
secured his brothers. creditors.
This dt BIT seemed to be d great
source OF worry to him. Two
weeks ago he twas preparing to
move all his effects TO The claims
on the reservation and try there
to work out his financial saliva
ton. Two weeks ago last Satur-
day he left the house to 90 to
the hard on the old Barton place,
and not putting on an overcoat,
his mother and sister supposed
he was going to do some chores.
He has not been seen since.
Those who knew him best be-
lieve that his debts have so
preyed on his mind that he has
committed suicide. Working on
this theory, "a close search has
been made of the ice on Sweet
water lake, but no holes could
be found anywhere. All build
ings in that neighborhuod have
also been searched withOutavail.
1t is believed, however, that his
body will be found when the snow
goes of in the spring. His credi-
tors are all secured. His mother
and sister, who can talk very
little English, are left practically
destitute.
About two weeks ago a custo-
mer from Granville dropped into
j. Goldberg's furniture store in
this city and before he left the
store had purchased a big bill OF
goods. 1t was Il cash transac-
ton, and MIR. Goldberg gave him
the benefit of the cash discounts.
When everything was settled for
the customer pulled out an order
blank addressed to Montgomery
Waru Of Chicago on which were
enumerated the Identical articles
purchased with the catalogue
prices set opposite them. He
showed Mr.. Goldberg the list and
the Devils Lake merchant had
lunconsciously duplicated the
catalogue price on each article,
as quoted by the mail order
house i. 0. b. Chicago. The Gus
toner by buying from Goldberg
instead OF Montgomery Ward
had saved the freight charges
from Chicago to Granville. while
at the same time had an oppor-
tunity OF selecting the goods at
ter a personal inspection of same.
MIR. Goldberg did hot know he
was competing with a Chicago
mail order house when he was
pricing the goods to the custo-
mer. The fact that he beat them
to the extent Of the freight has
opened the eyes of at least one
man in North Dakota who will
hereafter leave his money in the
state. There are other mer-
chants here who are beating the
mail order houses in prices every
day in the week.
Joseph Meyer and his son Peter
Mayer were convicted in the
l United States court at Grand
Forks for committing perjury in
a final proof case before the Die.
kinson land office. This is the
first conviction for this offense
in the state, though undoubtedly
thousands OF similar cases have
occurred at the various land
offices. 1t was charged that the
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