davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
Spasm No. 6 Says:


most dangerous thing in the world for
one threatened with appendicitis is to
eat any food whatever. Notwithstand-
ing he knew that danger, C. w. Post
advertised Grape Nuts at fifteen cents
a package for those so threatened"
This is intended to muddle the read
err into believing that we put out
Grape Nuts as a cure for appendicitis
Mr.. Post, himself, has had probably
as wide experience as any other man
in America in the study and observa-
ton of food as related to the digestive
organs, and we proved in Court by the
physicians and surgeons on the wit
ness stand that the predominating
cause of appendicitis is undigested
food, and that it is necessary to quit
eating food, and when the body re-
quires food again, use a pre- digested
food, or at least one easy of digestion
DIR. Ochsner in his work on appendi-
citis refers directly to the use Of the
well known pre- digested foods that can
be obtained on the market. He also
brought out the interesting fact that
in latter treatment it is advantageous
to take on a pre- digested food.
The price Of the package Preferred to
by the weekly is not known by US to
have any relation to the question.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

AS an illustration. Attempt to feed
man sixty days on butter alone, with
it's $50 calories. The man would die
before the experiment had run sixty
days
Then, take Grape-Nuts with 1886 and
milk with 0.7O,-the two combined
equal 4.66-about one-half the number
Of calories contained in butter. The
man fed for sixty days on this food
would DO well nourished, and could
live not only sixty days, but six
months on that food alone, and we do
not hesitate to say from our long
knowledge of the sustaining power of
the food that man at the end of
! sixty days would be Of practically
the same weight as when he started
if he be a man Of normal weight.
We will suppose that from his work
he lost a pound day and made up
pound each day from food. If that
premise proved to be true the man in
sixty days time would make sixty
pounds OF tissue to replace what had
been lost, and this would be done on
Grape-Nuts and milk with half the
number OF calories of butter upon
which no one can sustain life.
Therefore, we have reason to believe
that our contention is right that con-
centrated food like Grape Nuts, which
is partly digested and ready for easy
assimilation by the body, presents
more nourishment that the system will
absorb than many other forms of food,
and we will further say that in cases
of digestive troubles where meat,
white bread and oats cannot be d.
gested, that Grape-Nuts and milk con-
tain more nourishment that the system
will absorb than many pounds of these
other foods.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
Statement Nos reads:

- 49, 49, as ~AA - AN~NO lCdhSs Ah0
health officers of Mich, Maine, Penn,
New Hamp., and others states in their
official bulletins have for years been
denouncing as preposterous and fraud
ulent the claims made by the Postum
Cereal Company We do not recall
an criticism except from Mich, Penn,
Maine and S. Dakota.
The average reader might think that
the opinions expressed by. the State
Officials are always correct, but that
conclusion is not borne out by facts.
AS an illustration: About thirteen
years ago the Dairy and Food Com
mission Of Michigan for some personal
reason printed a severe criticism on
us for making Postum of Barley (ac-
cording to his official chemist) at mar
ket price and selling too high. He was
shown there was never a grain of bar
ley used in Postum. His report was
false and misleading. The governor
dismissed him.
We believe that most OF the state
officials are honest, and on the other
hand we are firmly convinced that
some of their conclusions cannot be
substantiated by facts in scientific re-
search.
They never criticize the purity of
our foods, for so much we are thank
full.
If our conclusions in regard to its
being brain food differ from theirs.
and we are both honest, they have
rather the advantage, because under
the law they can order us to eliminate
from the package any statement If it
disagrees with their opinion. other
wise they would harass grocers.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

tmoreo for in
Elm i'm ress
Of and
Of
ell thoroughly oeaned-the
machinery scupuOusy clean
That all proved disappointing the weekly"
thai standt
Of
SOM kind
magnify
a
But he failed utterly with the Postum Works
sannuaIy
p n o us.
tina couId
In oil the Weekly may
by
Lon in this
the ion nova issu
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

that the article be an honest express
sion Of his opinion and research.
The Weekly hunted up this physi-
clan, and because he seemed to be poor,
and as it says, 'brokendown," had him
brought to Court to be exposed before
a jury as the only physician that had
ever endorsed Grape-N Nuts" but much
to the chargin of the Weekly" when
our attorney asked him If the article he
wrote about coffee was true, he replied
yes"
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
into many thousands Of dollars.


bad one. 1t reads as follows: "The
only famous physician whose name
was signed to a testimonial was pro-
duced in Court by Golfers and turned
out to be a poor old brokendown
homeopath, who is now working in
printing establishment. He received
ten dollars $4,000 for writing his
testimonial"
We will wager ten thousand dollars
$1O,o00.OO) with any investigator that
we have, subject to inspection OF any
fair committee, upwards of three hum
dred 5000 communications from ply
sicians, many of them expressing the
highest commentator Of our products,
but these will not now or ever be
turned over to the publisher for his
use.
Notice the statement in this charger,
THE only famous physician whose
name was signed to Postum testimon-
ial, etc.
The truth is, this DIR. Underwood
was enc of great many physicians
who have not only written commenda-
tory words about the value of our
foods, but every now and then some
physician writes an article on coffee
or on food, and sends it to us with a
suggestion of compensation for his
time and medical knowledge. Previous
to the time when we employed physi-
clans in our own business, we occa-
sionally employed doctor to write
an article on Coffee always insisting
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
Item 10 IS 4 discovery. tina,

Item 10 is discovery" that
wheat bran is a part of Postum.
But the criticism neglected to men
ton that for years every Postum pack
age. announced in plain type that the
outer covering Of wheat DRAM, made
part Of the beverage.
They ignorantIy fell into a trap here,
not knowing enough OF food value to
know that Taxa Diastase" the article
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

got those testimonials by advertising
for them. In New York he used for
that purpose the New York Magazine
of--whose editor is now in the
Federal Penitentiary for fraudulent
use Of the mails. For example Post
announced in that magazine in 1907,
etc, (then follows our prize compe-
tition).
We used nearly all of the papers
rest Of America, but the sensational
writer gives the impression TO his
readers that the only magazine we
used was one whose editor is now in
the Federal Penitentiary," etc, some
thing we know nothing of the truth
Of now, and never did. Space was
bought in the magazine spoken on
business basis for the reason that it
went to a good class Of readers. The
incident seems to have furnished an
opportunity for designing writer to
deceive his readers.
We look upon honest human testi-
mony from men and women as to the
meansyby which they recovered health
as of tremendous value to those in
search of it. Our business has been
conducted from the very first day up
on lines of strict integrity and we
never yet have published a false tes-
timonial of human experience. Many
Of these letters covered numerous
sheets; some, if printed, would spread
over half a page Of newspaper. If we
would attempt to print one such letter
in every one of the thousands of pa
pers and magazines we use, the cost
for printing that one letter would run
into many thousands OF dollars.
We boil down these letters exactly
as a newspaper writer boils his news,
sticking sacredly to the important
facts and eliminating details about the
family and other unimportsnt matters.
This work of boiling down, or editing,
knowledge of our responsibility, but
notice the art of the "twister" in the
way he presents to his readers this
matter of testimonials.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Distortion No. IL reports Mr..
Post as lodging witness"
His eye is not of the shifty kind OBJ
served in the head of one of his chief
critics. On the witness stand Mr.. Post
looks quietly but very steadily straight
into the eyes of the haggling, twisting
lawyer trying by all his art to ask
double-barreled questions and bull
doze and confuse witness.
The lodging it seems consisted of
replying, 81 don't know"
Opposing counsel holds book In
his hand while he queries
'T want to know If there is a single
thing in your whole book here that
suggests any particular kind of food"
Then followed some discussion between
attorneys.
When Mr.. Post was allowed to reply,
he said, II don't know until l read the
book over to see"
This book, it turns out, was written
by Mr.. Post seventeen years ago and
probably has not been read carefully by
him in the last fifteen years. 1t would
require a remarkable memory to ms
family say Eyes" or "no" as to what a
book of lat pages did or did not con.
tain, without reading it over,-but
such conservative and we'll balanced
answers are construed by sensation
seekers to be lodging"
The attorney sought by every art to
impress the Jury with the fact that Mr..
Posts belief in the power of Mind in
relation to the body branded him as
unreliable and worse.
The following is quoted from one Of
the questions:-
(The lawyer reading from book.)
"The writer of these pages desires
to say nothing of himself other than as
simple instrument through which the
Divine Principle chooses to manifest
itself by precept and example.
Skill in mental practice is gained in
the same way as skill in any depart
ment Of science-by observation, study.
experience and the ability to evolve
correct conclusions.
Read carefully, thoughtfully no
more than twenty pages daily. After
wards seek an easy position where Won
will not be disturbed. Relax every
muscle. Close your eyes, and go into
the silence where mind is plastic TO
the breathings of the spirit and where
God talks to the Son. The thoughts
from Divine Universal Mind come as
winged angels and endow you with 4
healing power. II you go into the
silence humble and trusting, you win
come out enriched and greatly
strengthened in body by contact even
for short time with the Father Of All
life and all power. You win feel re-
freshed in every way and food taken
will digest readily as the stomach
works smoothly when under the infiu-
ence of higher power"
= ask il you did not write that, and
IT you did not believe it when YOU
wrote it,
For moment the court room was In
absolute silence
Mr.. Post slowly leaned forward ovar
the rail, pointed his finger at the Atty's
face to emphasize his reply and with
eyes that caused those. OF the Attornev
to drop he said. Yes, I am. proud to
say | did"
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
Some Suspicious Persons

s Il a
to
hat
IN the
arose with
by
bsered
The
in o
.
editorial
We replied n
fbs sutsf omboh sides and ehssh~o
Generally thesOms % the public
ourc seems to
huntfOr to to
the pubLo undsr search
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

used by physicians the world over for
starch indigestion" is made from
wheat BRAN"
So we use that part of the wheat
berry because it contains the element
needed to develop the valuable dias-
tase in manufacture. Good Postum is
without this part.
These self-appointed critics do make
some laughable blunders through ig-
but--be patient.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

These self-appointed critics do make
some laughable blunders through ig-
norance, but--be patient.
Item ii is an illsutration of the
squirming and twisting OF the sensa-
tional writer delivering distorted mat
ter to his readers.
While on the witness stand Mr.. Post
testified to his studies in Anatomy,
Physiology, Dietetics and Psychology,
ali relating to the preparation and
digestion of food. Asked to name au-
thorities studied he mentioned six or
eight from memory, and commented on
some clinical experience covering sew
eral years in annual journeys to Eu-
rope.
Now notice the distortion. Copy
from the printed criticism.)
HE (Posp pointed out pile of
books in possession OF his attorneys as
the very ones he had read"
CNotice.-'the very ones he had
read" leading the reader to believe
that they were the only ones,)
did you consult the books from
these editions?" was asked.
From those and various editions"
answered Post.
The attorney picked up book after
book from the pile and showed the
title pages to the jury,-all except two
had been published since 1906"
This is an example Of distortion and
false coloring to produce an unfavor-
able impression.
The facts are Mr.. Post purposely in
troduced the latest editions that could
be obtained of prominent authorities
to prove by them the truth Of his state
ments regarding appendicitis and the
analysis Of brain, also the latest con-
illusions in regard to the action of the
digestive organs. These works are:
Human Physiology, by Raymond.
Physiological Chemistry, by Simon.
Digestive Glands. by Pawlow.
Hand Book Of Appendicitis. by ochs-
ner.
Physiological Chemistry. by Ham
marsten.
Biochemic system Of Medicine, by
Carey.
The Weekly carefully eliminates
from its printed account, testimony
regarding the years of research and
study by Mr.. Post in fitting himself
for his work, and would lead the read
er Of the distorted article to believe
that his education began since 1905.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09


the mokeo wills
There's Reason"
Battle Creek. Mich
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
Some Facts

Battle Creek Michigan, December 80, 1910.
We the knowledge has testi
1t, which did
genuine letter signed and believed " De an honest state
of belief received
upwards Of fifty testimonial letters
Company knowingly made permitted an unuth
fuI statement regarding products or it's methods"
M, X. with Company about IA years)
l. LAMsoN, Inspector AdVts with Company about s1 years)
F. cRANpIN Advertising Manager.
r. M sTERRETT Physician charge Of Scientific Dept
with Company about Az
Writer. with Company about yesrs)
CHARLES Writer Company about years)
HARRY e BURT, General Company
n c. HAWK Assistant
c. W. POST Chairman beginning1
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

This is almost real humor.
We have two suits pending against
the weekly" total s5oO,0OO.OO.
We haven't devoted" the sum to any
particular purpose yet.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Before the passage Of the Pure Food
Law the packages stated that Grape
Nuts food was made Of wheat and bar
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
Distortion No. 3 CHI

our testimonials were practically all
paid for and rewritten in Battle Creek.
These testimonials were demanded by
the opposing lawyers Naturally this
demand was refused, for they are held
in vaults and kept safe to prove the
truth, and are not to be delivered up
on demand of enemies.
Testimony at the trial brought out
the fact that we never printed a
single testimonial that we did not have
the genuine letter back of. Many of
these letters came spontaneously. A
record was kept of twelve hundred
and four (1204) letters received in one
month from people who wrote that
they had either entirely recovered
their health or been benefited by fol-
lowing our suggestions on food and
beverages.
On three or four occasions in the
past ten or twelve years we printed
broadcast in papers offers of prizes to
users of Postum and Grape Nuts
two hundred $1.oo prizes, one hundred
$500, twenty of $500 and five of $1,000
each,-stating that each must be an
honest letter with name and address.
We agreed not to publish names, but
to furnish them to enquirers by letter.
These letter writer's very generally
answered those who wrote to them,
and verified the truth of the state
ments.
Under this agreement not to publish
names literally scores of letters came
from doctors. We kept our word and
neither printed their names or sur
rendered the letters.
Right here notice an Limitation
spasm". The Weekly says. Post
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Grape Nuts food has been a great
blessing to tens of thousands of peo-
pie, and we hope will continue to bless
good many more in the succeeding
years.
ANOo is a live wire. 1t refers to
c. w. Post and his studies and expert
ence in Suggestive Therapeutics" or
Mental Healing which further lead
to a most careful and systematic study
of the effect of the mind on the diges-
tive and other organs of the body.
He attended clinics in Europe and
fitted himself for future career in
which he has become known as one
of the food experts of the world, fitted
to judge both from the material as
well as the mental side of the ques-
ton.
For about eight years previous to
1891 he was an invalid. In that year,
after being under the care of several
well-known physicians he was quickly
healed, by what to him was curious
and not well-understood method. Suf-
ficient to say he became a well man,
weighing about 1876 pounds.
This experience challenged his in
vestigation into causes Of disease and
their amelioration. Those studies and
experiences developed very profound
reverence for Supreme Power which
directly operates upon the human be-
ing, and this reverence for the Infinite
became to him form of religion which
included honesty of purpose towards
his fellow-man. A statement which
will be Endorsed by everyone who
knows him closely.
He will make a public announcement
in detail of these facts, and the Postum
Company will cause that statement to
be published in newspapers and maya
zines in due time. We suggest the
reader look for 1t.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Charge No. z states that the
passage of the National Food C Drugs
Act compelled us to drop from the
packages some assertions regarding
the nutritive value OF Grape-Nuts.
We have never been Compelled" to
make any change.
Since the beginning it has been
universal rule to print clearly on every
package exactly what the contents are
made of.
Before the passage Of the Pure Food
Law the packages stated that Grape
Nutsrfood was made Of wheat and bar
ley.
wesdid not. esteem the: small amount
OF salt ana yeast as Of value enough
10 speak Of but after the new Law
came in we became as technical as
the odicials at Washington and added
the words yeast" and salt" although
we shGVeane 4rscOllsot of being asked
10.
weyoesfsved"thst statement that
Grape-GntH will supply elements to
nourisha the brain and nerve centres is
true and bring authorities to support
the ~fsct,
Son4ssstata oh ernists believed this
gross exsEgeratIon and inssmuch as
the Food Dept. at Washington could
ca silly harass grocsrs, pending a trial
on the disputed question, we conclud-
cd thatsmuch fhe better way would be
to eliminate from our packages such
claims, however certain we may be
thatsthe, claims are true.
ANOTHER statement objected to read
I ms followss
'uhs system will absorb a greater
amount Of nourishment from one
pound Of Grape Nuts than from ten
pounds ofsmeat, wheat, oats, orsbread."
Somef Department chemists deceive
themselves as well as the public.
"CaIorie' is the word which defines
a unit of heat determined by the
amount necessary to raise one kilo-
gram of water one degree centigrade.
on this basis a table of calories is
prepared showing the percentage of
different kinds of food. Butter shows
$50; Grape-Nuts 3.96; milk O.7O Re-
member the statement on the package
spoke of the nourishment the system
would absorb, but did not speak of
the ca cries OF heat contained in it,
for the heat is not nourishment, and
the nourishment cannot be judged by
the number Of heat units, notwith-
standing the fact that certain chemists
would have the public believe so.
1t may be remember
selves by placing facts be-
A good "scrap" Is m
right.
I'm the case lately I
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09


placing before
right.
In lately taken the higher courts We
unbO
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

We say that in cases where coffee
disagree and is causing sickness its
dismissal will remove the cause Of the
trouble, and we suggest the use of
Postum for the reason that it furnishes
a hot palatable morning beverage, and
contains natural elements from the
grain which can be used by nature to
assist in rebuilding nerve centres that
coffee may have broken down.
Likewise Grape-Nuts food does not
cure anything, but It does assist nature
tremendously in rebuilding provided
the undigestible food that has been
used is discontinued and Grape Nuts
taken in it's place
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

mo. y states that the amount of
the verdict will "be devoted by the
weekly to exposing fraud"
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Since the beginning it has been a
universal rule to print clearly on every
package exactly what the contents are
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Our advice to stop using indigesti-
BILE food in bowel troubles and to use
Grape-Nuts food has been great
blessing to tens of thousands of peo-
pie, and we hope will continue to bless
a good many more in the succeeding
years.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
Prevarication No. 8. p

PfeVaflcatlOn No. B. post
spends nearly a million q year in adj
vertising and relies on that to keep
out OF the newspapers the dangerous
nature Of the fraud he is perpetrating
on the public"
The Postum Company does pay out
upwards of million year for trade
announcements. Newspaper men be-
lieve our statements truthful or they
would not print them. Large numbers
Of newspaper men use our products.
They are capable of telling the pub
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
lie whether or not we "bribe" them.

1t may have escaped notice that we
did not bride" that particular weekly
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Distortion No. | stated that
we have been accustomed to advertise
Grape&Nuts and Postum as ''cure -alls
for. everything"
It has never been the policy Of this
Company to advertise Grape-Nuts or
Postum to cure anything.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

Item II is an illsutration Of the
squirming and twisting OF the sensa-
tional writer delivering distorted mat
ter to his readers.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

The Weekly carefully eliminates
from it's printed account, testimony
regarding the years of research and
study by Mr.. Post in fitting himself
for his work, and would lead the read
er Of the distorted article to believe
that his education began since 1905.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09

passage of the National Food & Drugs
Act compelled us to drop from the
packages some assertions regarding
the nutritive value OF Grape-Nuts.
We have never been Compelled" to
make any change.