davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
PAID THE TREE BOUATIES
STATE AUDITOR VERSION SENDS
OUT MANY CHECKS.
Another Bunch of Warrants fcrWoIyss
Killed In Counties In Mime sofa,
Amount, So, 665.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
State Auditor lyerson has sent out
checks calling for $lS,60S.75, the sum
representing bounty paid by the state
for raising trees in the prairie counties
oil. Minnesota.
In all there we're 2,529 checks, and
they We're addressed to as many per-
sons. They ranged in amount from
$3.50 to So, and represented 7,443h
acres of trees. Redwood county had the
largest acreage, 293, and Benton county,
the smallest, just one acre. jackson
Cottonwood, Chippewa, Murray, Rensille
and Yellow Medicine counties, were in
the I00-aere class.
The state pays $3.50 an acre for trees
planted and allowed to reach maturity
which is feured at a period OF s'x
years. The distribution is made under
the 1905 law.
Another list of checks sent by MIR.
Iversan today was in the distribution OF
wolf bounties, aggregating S9,S65. This
amount went for the payment of -l,5si
wolves, killed in forty counties of the
state. OF the number, dos cubs, the
balance having been full grown.
Ramsey county got in on this dis
tribution, its share being $50 for one
wolf slain. Hennepin county had eigh-
teen wolves to its credit and received
$99 Carleton county drew tbe largest
amount $l,ll750, for l62 animals.
The state pays a bounty of $50
for full grown wolves and So for cubs
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
MILLER FOUND GUILTY
JURY WAS SEVERAL HOURS IN
49,. REACHING AGREEMENT.
Miss LaFavor In to Be Tried In Febru :
AIRY, " the Indictment 10 Not
Ouashed.
from THURSDAYS Dany.

From THURSDAYS pafiy.
The jury in the case of Alfred G.
Miller, charged with incest. retired
early yesterday afternoon, and did not
reach an agreement until eight O'Clock.
II is reported to have stood six to six
for time, but finally brought in a
verdict of conviction. His attorney
will offer motion for new trial.
The case against Miss Nora .LaFavor
charged with the same offense, is to
be continued until the February term
and she will be released upon her own
recognizance 1t is likely that at the
February term the indictment will be
quashed, as her punishment has been
heavy already, and Miller was mostly
to blame.
Miss LaFovor was a witness for the
defense in the Miller case, and testi-
fled that young man of this city,
whom she named, is the father of her
child.
The suit of Joel Z. Southwick VS.
Henry Himmelman Sr. is now on trial
The suit is brought to recover the
City Hotel furniture, which the com
plant says is worth $1,000. THIS suit
is the outgrowth of the mixnp that
Mr.. Southwick and G. c. Towne got
into when the former succeeded the
latter in charge of the hotel.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
WRECKED THE MANSION
SAD STORY OF THE MAN WHO
COULDN'T FIND BRIDE.
Was Repeatedly Turned Down Whom
ever He Soughtto Secure Wife.
Demolished His Home.

La Crosse. Wis, Dec. l7.-Disap-
pointed over repeated failures to place
ii bride in the home he had built for
two, Hollis Worden, of Norway Ridge,
up in the northeast corner of Monroe
county, reduced the structure to kind
ling wood. The work of demolition was
begun last week and now only wood
pile marks the spot.
Worden declined to sell the building
upon which he had spent several hun
bred dollars. He said that as his step
father intended to 60 TO the Soldiers
home he would go and live with his
mother, and that, therefore, he had no
further use for the house.
Vorden FIRST, courted Annie Umbush.
but her parents frowned down the pro-
posed match, and she is now Mrs. f.
Crawford.
His next love was Gertrude Jerome.
II was for her that he built the home,
but she decided she did not care to be-
come its mistress and still lives in
single blessedness.
Having faith in the old adage that
Faint heart never won fair lady,,
Worden became a member of the
Christian church in the hope of win
ming bride, Miss Irene Umbush But
he was again disappointed.
Still undaunted. he renowned his
faith in the Christian church and EN-
braced the Mormon religion, with the
view of inducing Miss Leedy Mureman
who was member of that church, to
become his partner for life.
Failing in this, his fourth venture
Worden, who is only twenty-five years
of age decided to demolish the house
and seek mate no more.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Blue Earth Post; C. N. Clark, in
charge of the Theo. Hamm brewery
interests in Blue Earth for year or
more, is behind in his accounts with
the company several hundred dollars
and the company which furnished the
bonds in this case has turned him over
to the keeping of Sheriff Freer until
his ease is disposed of by Judge Quinn
at this term of court. Mr.. Clark came
here from Albert Lea md bore an
excellent reputation for uprightness and
his friends regret his downfall exceed
ingly. We understand friends of Mr..
Clark came TO his rescue and made
good the shortage and yesterday inter-
noon he appeared before Judge Quinn
and was let off whit fine of $50.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
SHOT A BIG MALE WOLF
TcM BLAIR GATHERS IN vAR-
MINT WHILE BUNTING.
lie Encountefed Bunch OF Five While
In South Band Town Yesterday.
Secured 7eunty.
From Mondays Dans. :

From Mondays Dails.
Thomas Blair of South Bend yester-
day afternoon, while hunting with
Charles Seppman and Fred stsobel.
near the stone windmill, shot male
timber wolf. He was at one end of a
piece of-timber, and heard two wolves
fighting. He hid himself under or in
a tree top and presently five wolves
came close to where he was. one being
an immense female wolf. lie had but
a twelve guage shotgun, loaded with
bird shot, but when the pack got
within fifty feet of him he fired and
killed-pne and wounded another. He
said that if he had repeater he could
have killed them all He
brought the wolf to Mankato today
to claim the bounty
These are thought 20 be part of
the wolves that were driven out of
Hebron by the hunters.
Mr.. Blair makes hunting and trap
ping business in winter, and has been
very successful A few days ago he
got silver gray fox, with an eNcep-
tionallv fine hide. He was offered $50
for the hide by local dealer, but will
take it to the twin cities, as these
hides are quoted at $40 ito $l15.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
THROWS ACID IN HIS FACE
Woman Destroys Sight of One of a
Mayors Eyes.

Washington. n. j.. Dec. 23.-Dr
Charles Z. Smith. mayor of this city.
lost the sight of one eye AID wa
partially blinded In the other when
one of his women patients visited his
office and threw carbolic acid over his
face and head, according TO the story
told by DR.. Smith. his wife, and Miss
Albert Shrope, the doctors steno.
grapher. Before throwing the acid.
DR.. Smith says, the woman threatened
to shoot him. but he disarmed her. DR..
Smith believes the woman insane. He
said that he had treated her for ner.
vuus trouble and rheumatism, and
had been warned that she had threat.
ened his life.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
n0ya rtsrss

We ugfer One hundred poiiars Reward
for any cass OF CHtarrh that cannot be
CHENEY a. CO., Toledo. O.
We. Tia ui1defsigned, have known F,
=. Cheney for the last fifteen years. and
believe him perfectly honorable IN al
busltless transactions and financially abs
10 carry out any OBLIGATIONS made by his
firm. fgALDIN9. KfNNAN & MARVIN.
Toledo. @.
Hails Catarrh Cure Ii taken internally.
acting directly upon th the blood and mu-
cous surfaces OF the system. Testlr10n-
Iais sent free. Price Is cents per bottle.
Sold By ali druggists.
Take Halls Family PlIia for sonzfips
tina.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

The inconoelasts keep right on smash
ing our idols. They have demolished
the pretty pedestal upon which we had
raised Paul Revere, they have denied
the story of Israel Putnam. who was
said to have ridden down the
long fight of stairs in his
haste to escape the Britishers,
and the twenty, mile ride of General
Sheridan is scoffed at by the pessimist.
All the romance has been taken out of
the story of Antony and Cleopatra, and
now we are informed that Julius Gaze
sar was nothing more than cheap
politician who did things purely be-
cause he wanted to advance his own
personal ends.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
Peoples Agents TO Be Watched;
Work of Press Bureaus.
REAL NOVELTY IN LEGISLATION
String Flsnds al State Gag Ital VIII BE
AS Busy a. Sees. Josi Heatwoie
in Evidence.

st. Paul, Dec. 22.-The Peoples
lobby, an organization announced some
weeks ago for the purpose of watching
over the peoples interests lin the
coming legislature, is not to have
everything its own way. A lobby to
keep tab on the Peoples lobby is the
latest thing out, and it is to have legal
backing in the shape of articles of in
corporation, now said to be III prepar-
alton.
Word regarding the latest novelty in
a legislative way was brought to st.
Paul Saturday by several of the house
members, who came tolconsult Speaker
Roekne, and they declared 1t was not a
joke.
The peoples lobby, which has James
Peterson of Minneapolis, for one of its
hackers, is said to be the old shippers
and Receivers association, which the
legislature OF two years ago inyesti-
gated.
Heatwole a Promoter.
Joel Heatwole is said by some of the
members to be one of the promoters OF
the peoples lobby, which the new lobby
will watch, but the only basis for this
is a<letter now being sent to the eoun.
try papers of the state from Mortified
offering them an unbiased report of leg
islative doings at S. per week. The
country editors are informed. in addi-
ton, that the report viii contain innings
impossible to secure from the large city
dailies.
Lynn Haines is to be editor OF one
of the legislative letters now being OF
fered to the country press. He was
given clerkship in the house two years
ago, and started weekly news letter
service, holding a number of the mem
bers up TO ridicule. His hobby was the
Shippers and Receivers association, and
on his refusal to be good" he was
promptly dropped from the payrolls.
Much interest is being evidenced in
the various so-called Hobbies by the
senators and house members. As one
member remarked Saturday, an investi-
CATION .of them all NAV be instituted by
the legislature when it meets.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
Former Well Known Shoe Dealer
Dies in San Diego, Cal.
HAD LIVED HERE FOR YEARS
Wasths First Postms ster in Madison
Lake and Was . Veteran ofWar
of the Rebellion.
From Fridays Daily.

FROM rIiusAS s DdliS.
Chauncey II. Austin, former well
known shoe dealer of this city died
this morning at his home at San Diego
Cal, after an illness of two. or three
weeks with typhoid pneumonia. He recei-
we'd every care, but his age was against
him.
Mr.. Austin is survived by his wife
and one daughter, Mrs. Eva Matters
who resides at San Diego, and two sons
by previous marriage, Charles II.
Austin of San Diego and Fred l.. Aus
tin OF this city. There are also two
step children, Mrs. I. w. Hart of this
city and Frank Palmer of San Diego
Was Merchant Here For Years.
Mr.. Austin was engaged in Mankato
for many years, and accumulated con-
siderable property Several years ago he
removed to San Diego, and had re-
sided there ever since, making occasion
ally visits to Mankato. He was in the
city last summer, and seemed as well
and strong as ever. He was man OF
scrupulous honesty, clean character, an
active church worker, and in every
way good and reputable man. He
enjoyed large acquaintance in this
city and county, and his death will
cause general regret.
The deceased was born in Erie coun-
ty, Penn, and was seventy-six years
of age He went to Wisconsin when a
lad, and lived there fifteen years, hold
ing various public offices he enlisted
in the army and served through the
war, and in 1866 moved to Mankato.
He was a shoemaker by trade and fol-
lowed this until he started shoe store.
In 1878 he took his son, Charles, into
partnership with him, and the firm
from then on was known as c.. H.
Austin & Son. In 1885 he added a job
bling department, and conducted it for
about ten years. T. w Hart being in
partnership with him the last five
years. Then Mr.. Hart engaged in the
retail business and Austin & Son went
out of business.
Left Here Ten Years Ago.
Mr.. Austin moved to San Diego ten
years ago, and bought a home there.
He was an active member of the
Christian church, and helped build the
present building in this city. He re-
sided at Madison Lake for some time,
and while there got a pestoffice es-
tablished and was postmaster for six
years. He also filled the office of JUS
tice of peace there. He was an exten.
sive traveller, and with his wife visi-
ted Europe, and later went to Alaska.
and crossed the continent several times.
He was observant, well read, and an in
teresting character.
Funeral services will be held at San
Diego Monday next at 10 a. m.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
CERTAIN RESULTS
Many a Msnkato Citizen Knows How
Sure They Are.


Nothing uncertain about the work
of Deans Kidney Pills in Mankato.
There is plenty of positive proof of
this in the testimony of citizens. Such
evidence should convince the most
skeptieal doubter Read the following
statement:
". Z. Jessiip, living at 40s Pop,
lar ST., Mankato, Mimi, says: "Doan's
Kidney Pills are the best kidney rene
dy | ever used and have taken a
great many. | contracted kidney dis
ease during service in the PHILIPPINES.
The army surgeon doctored me, but
II did not obtain any relief After
coming back to slankato, procured
Deans Kidney Pills from j. G. Thro's
drug store and began their use was
at that time suffering from severe
pains in my back and loins and felt
GENERALLY miserable. Deans Kidney
Pills relieved me proaply and | have
been great deal better since using them.
II have never known 81 case where
Doafi's Kidney plfes failed to cure IL
the directions were closely followed.
For sale By all dealers. Price Sc
Foster. AIilburn Co., Buffalo, New York,
sole agents for The United States.
Remember Nhe names Deans and
take no other.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
Toler Found Not Guilty.

Toledo. Ia. Dec. 23.-The county
court here was the scene of a wildly
enthusiastic demonstration when the
Jury In the case of W. r. Toler, ac-
cused of killing George w. Davies at
Marshalltown, after being out None
hour and ten minutes, brought in a
verdict of not guilty. While the ex-
element was at its height the accused
mans wife threw herself into her
husbands arms and tainted
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
judges and stenographers strne.

Halifax, N. S., Dec. 23-The judges
and stenographers of the supreme
court of Nova Scotia are on strike.
The court reporters have as protest
against the smallness of their pay re-
fused to take notes and Judge RUSS Il
declared he was not going to be both
Judge and stenographer and Joined the
ranks of the strikers.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
cnrlina Rlnk rloodsd.

The curling rink has been iioOdsd,
and practice work will begin as soon
AZ tile ice Ii III proper shape, which
ii Is hoped viii be the case by next
week. There viii be plenty Of players
this season, and it Is VxpeeEed thai.
four Kinks from Alankato will enter
the Northwestern bonspiel, - be held
pank Ia January.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
Death of Old steamboatman.

From FRIDAYS Daily.
Captain Jerry Webber, eighty six
years old, one of the best known Mis-
sissippi river steamboat men and al
most the last OF the old pioneers of
Minnesota, died yesterday at the asy
lum at ST. Peter
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Fred w. Lindsey has accepted po-
sition as bookkeeper and stenographer
with the Schmidt Saddlery company of
this city. He expects to return to
Jackson, Mimi, over the holidays and
will be back to resume his duties the
first of the year.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

The hen certainly has right to
cackle. The poultry products of the
United States exceed six hundred dol
lars annually. Incubators have ma
terially assisted the ''hiddiss1 i'm their
labors.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
cannot paw Deble.
from friday

From Fridays Daiiv
Oscar Anderson farmer of Ann
township. Cottonwood county, filed a
petition in bankruptcy today, alleging
his liabilities 81 SS 800, and his assets
1910. AL exempt.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
A Word of Holiday Caution.

Little Graeie-I don't think my new
doll is quite as nice as your new doll.
Little Ethel-Well, don't think you
ought to say much about 1t, cause 1t
might hurt Santa Claus feelings
Brooklyn Life.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
COUNTRY PRESS STORIES.

The Hamm Brewing company has
purchased the cold storage warehouse
of thu Standard Brewing company at
Mapleton.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

Blondina X. Glaurke to Fred sehliek-
er, lots 2 and 3, llock 9, Good Tlilhider,
for $3.50.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Senator knute Nelson has introduced
a bill proyideing for pension of $50
per month for George A. kogle of Ma
pleton.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

+ Ian BufrilI has leased bis farm in
Belgrade to his son Archie and has
moved upon bis brothers place in Iel
|IIuillef. 4. BuFriII recently removed
sFpsf III remain wee
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Afr. and Mrs. Tony Thompson were
delighted last evening to receive from
Mrs. s. B. Martha Christ mas present
Of set Of silver knives and forks.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Good Tunder Herald: Otto Wall of
Mankato spent Sunday with his par
ents at this place. Mr.. Wall is book
keeper for the Standard Brewing com.
pany aid in the sale of that plant his
position there will soon terminate. He
IL now negotiating with a foreign
steamboat line at Portland, Oregon for
position: and If secured will leave
for that place in the early spring.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Captain d. L. Riley of Lakefieid i:
dead. He had been prominent resi-
dent of that town for years.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Mrs. Robert Ward of Medo suffered
a stroke of paralysis last week, which
has since been followed by a second
one so that she now lies in preear-
iousious condition, with little hopes of
her recovery, her age being against her.
Mrs. Ward is one of the early settlers
of Niedo and Woman whose friends
are legion.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

The village of Elmore settled the
suit brought by Mrs. Holt of that
town lJr damages sustained through de-
feetise sidewalk. It is understood the
amount paid was $50.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
Murder Trial Nearly Ended.

Toledo. o., Dec. 23.--Ths case OF
Harvey Hazel. the geventeen.year-old
boy on trial here charged with the
murder of his mother on Jan. II, last,
soon will go to the jury. The defense.
and prosecution have finished their
summing up. arguments and Judge
Morris viii now deliver his charge.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25
DIRECTORS
mankato Stale Bar
MANkATo, MINI.
s,.,nia. A Undivided proUts

CAPITAL 800
Surplus q Undivided progts szs,l
Z. a. HARRINGTON, President
NIB. n. THOMAS, Cashier.
g. ECH0YEN. Assistant Csse 4
DIRECTORS
Frank Fowler. John Roe
r.. O. Harrington. A. q. iaack.
G. w. Eabc0ck. Geo isosnts
Geo. B. Owen. Iehn e assas
rred Kron. Nc usssss
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

AIapleton Enterprise: Mrs. ". A.
Lothrop of Spokane, Wash. who will
perhaps be better remembered las Flora
Hanna, writes OF recently meeting 1.-The
fellow who is pushing wheel barrow
around the United States" which re-
fers of course to J.. A. krohn, at one
time an employee of this Office.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Mapleton Enterprise: |. J. Meyer of
Anboy, who it will be remembered had
an automobile damaged while he was
iii Mapleton last summer attending
a Sunday school convention, has started
suit in justice court at Amboy VS.,
G., NJ. Cooper, proprietor of the Ma.
pleton livery. claiming that the machine
was placed in the barn for safe keeping
and that il wase taken out without
The owners consent by inexperienced
hands and injured. Damages to the
amount of $25 are asked. Attorney
Argetsinger of this place is Mr.. Moy-
er's attorney.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

I. S. Hays. one of the oldest resi-
dents of Vernon, is not in the best
of health this winter. He was confined
10 his bed last week. Mr.. Hays has an
extensive acquaintance.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

The Caledonian curling club of Man
kato elected officers recently. Thomas
Thomson as president of the organi-
cation was a move in the right diree-
ton, says the Sterling correspondent
of The Mapleton Eenterprise. Mr..
Thompson is keen curler and We
predicts the grand auld game will move
forward with giant strides with such
an enthusiast at the helm. Mankato
is certainly located for holding a bon
spiel where three shutes of Ice are
furnished in covered rink and with
favorable weather. lovers of the sport
in and around> Mapleton are shifting
the battle "afar off,
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

Wolves are making the nights pIdeous
in Sterling town.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-25

East Mapleton Correspondence of Ma
pleton Enterprise: Mr.. Meyer of Man
kato, was out last Monday to see the
big dredger in operation as it was
manufactured under his supervision.
The ditch was completed Tuesday and
the men are now busy taking the dred-
ger to pieces for shipment to Candy,
where the next job is TO be tackled.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-10-01
HOMEOPATHIC OFFICERS.
State Society Concludes business And
Adjourns-Year's Growth.

Harrisburg Especially With the
reading of a number of papers on
various surgical operations and the
election of officers the fortry-fifth
annual meeting of the Homeopathic
Medical Society of Pennsylvania clos
ed, to meet next year in Scranton:
The officers elected were as fol-
lows: President, DR.. d. P. Maddux,
Chester; first vice-president, DR.. e.
w. Brickley, York; second vice.
president, DR.. William Alvah Stew
art, Pittshurg; recording secretary
DR.. G. B. Moreland, Pittsburg; cor
responding secretary, DR.. e. NJ
Gramm, Philadelphia; treasurer, Dr.
Ella d. Goff. Allegheny; necrologist
DR.. w. r. Baker, Philadelphia; cen
sor, one year, DR.. T. II. Carmichael
Philadelphia; trustees, DR.. j. Ross
Swartz, Harrisburg Dr. Harry S
Weaver, Philadelphia, and DR.. r. T.
Prizer, Tyrone.
The report of the censors was filed
this morning, and showed that the So
ciety had added fifty-five new mem
bers to the association this year
making a total of 900 members.