The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1921-07-28


About two years ago one w. A.
Zimmerman of somewhere in Iowa
fioated into town and stated that he
had purchaed the Buck place on
Fairy Lake and that it was his in
tention to establish a summer resort
there.
This was fine business and Sank
Centre business men were all atten-
ton. Mr.. Zimmerman gave it out
that he had plenty of means with
which to carry on such a project, but
that he would like to have the cordial
cooperation of local folks to the ex-
tent that he could feel that they
were "back" of him. ~
The Herald with other business
concerns who were anxious to fur
Their the best interests of Sank Cen
tire, fell for his line of chatter, and
we have written reams of copy and
given him columns of space to boost
his game.
He did make considerable progress
last year in spite of bad weather,
wind storms, etc. While the season
was bad one, he protested that he
was not discouraged, and on several
occasions he flashed roll of certi-
ficates of deposit big enough to choke
an OK. He had plenty of resources.
He admitted that himself. However,
he never overlooked a bet to ask for
cooperation, and mostly neglected to
pay his bills.
Confidentially he would tell You
that he had studied for the ministry,
and that prior to coming to Sank
Centre he was superintendent of a
Sunday school, etc. OF course with
this background he would run a
clean place, and to his credit, he has.
At the end of last season he told
his hard luck story to the local bust
ness men and they "co-operated" to
the extent of carrying his balance
over until this year.
Early in the year Zimmerman gave
it out that he was going to pull off
a big Fourth of July celebration at
Fairy Lake resort this year, and that
because he was "doing" so much for
Sank Centre all thought of local
celebration should be passed up. Local
business men and organizations were
again Johnny on the Spot" and all
not only played his game but furnish
ed the advertising and merchandise
to make his celebration a success.
Inere was considerable Kick over
some OF the things pulled OH at the
as the attractions were
away below the calibre advertised.
The Herald again came to his Rescue
aud aDsolvea MN Ironl any blame.
For TINS celebration zimmerman
charged an admission lee OIL oU Cents
to the grounds. He controlled every
the dance, the ball game,
tie wrestling match, and consef-
vative estimate OF his gross receipts
ON this day would be $4,000.
Quite naturally following the cele-
bration the business men, particularly
those who had made his celebration
possible expected a settlement Dur
ing the week following the Fourth he
did cough up small sums here and
there, but it began to be whispered
about the city that everything was
not right. Monday morning, July II,
~ or Oft no
merciai Club rooms. MIR. Zimmerman
was there. He stated that he was
worse than broke.
A day or two before this meeting
he made phoney transfer of his farm
TO his father. Upon being questioned
about the reason for this transfer a.
the meeting he said: 81 owe pa four
teen thousand dollars, and of course
pa must have his money" He said
he might be able to pay his other
creditors a small proportion of the
amount he owed them this fall, if
they would "co-oper4te' with him. !"
In his later statements the amount
he owes "pa" is indefinite. Later
the land was re-transfered to w A.
A checking up of the creditors pre-
sent showed that Zimmerman owed
in the vicinity of $4,000. To say that
the local business men were stunned
when this condition. was revealed,
puts it mildly.
At the meeting of the creditors
Zimmerman repeatedly called atten-
ton to TIE fact that che was an
honest man." There is a suspicion
If doubt edging into the minds of
ocal "co-operators'' who are holding
he sack, as to the truth of this state
nent.
Upon being questioned as to what
became of the Fourth of July receipts
ne refused to lay his cards on the
able and come clean with the men
Who had befriended him since his ar
.ival in town.
At this meeting the creditors werel