The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-01-18

tire by typical Franklin stunt" Il starting
his almanac he was entering into competition
with another Pennsylvania alnanac-pubIisher,
Titan Leeds who had succeeded his father, Dan
lei Leeds Remembering Dean Swtfr's predic-
ton Of the death Of unlucky John Partridge.
Franklin in announcing the forthcoming almanac
IN his newspaper. the Gazette, included In its
contents prediction Of the Death Of his Friend
Mr.. Titan Leeds" which the stars had made
known 10 him beyond doubt, and Mr.. Leeds
knows II very well, too" This was the reason
why Poor Richard" who was not rich and had
70 make living. had taken up the pen 10 Issue
En almanac
OF course, Leeds was furious Et this gruesome
prophecy and, much TO Franklins delight played
into his rivals hands by answering him. Il was
the best sort Of advertising for the new venture
and Franklin took care 10 keep the controversy
alive Il lasted for eight years and ended only
when Leeds did finally die But by that time
Poor Richards Almanac" was well started On
the road TO the amazing success which It en-
3oyed for the next quarter Of century
Begun 24page booklet and sold II three
shfIIngs, six-pence per dozen tseven cents
copy, after 17z7 II WIS Increased TO 80 pages
decorated with pretty wood-cuts. given more
and more elegant tone" and called Poor Rich
ards Improved" Since the price WIS not In
creased even with these improvements. Frank
Inns little book defed al competition and Il il
not 60 De wondered at that Ii sold as many as
10000 copies annually.
OF course. il had plenty of imitators-a veri-
table host Of Poor Joseph's," Poor Wills"
Poor Toms" Poor Jobs Poor Rogers and
Poor Thomas's" One almanac publisher Of
Philadelphia called his book abraham Weather
wise" and New York printer brought ont
book called '-Copernicus Weatherguesser." One
Of these early RlEnRnacs deserves lasting fame
II for no other reason than that il WIS the first
publication 10 give currency TO Washington's title
Of The Father Of His Country In 177o an
almanac. published IN German and issued by
francis Bailey IN Lancaster Pa, appeared with
q frondspiece printed from a crude wood-cut, in
which were depicted several symbolic figures
In the upper left-hand corner Of the drawing
was shown Fame as an angel. bearing In one
hand a medallion Of Washington with laurel
wreath upon his head and In the other q
trumpet from which comes the words "Des
Landes Water" 1.-The Father Of his Country.
Although alnanacs increased in number dur
ing the early days Of the republic, many OF
them passed out Of existence after a brief career
because better educational facilities and more
widespread scientific knowledge made the com
mon people less dependent upon the almanac as
q source Of information But there is one sur
vivor Of the colonial tradition which has had
81 unbroken existence Of more than lao years
and which Ii today the nearest approach we
have 10 Poor Richards Almanac That Is "the
Old Farmers Almanac" established in 1872 by
Robert Bailey Thomas. who WIS said TO have
resenbled Franklin In the profession and prac-
ice Of a certain honely philosophy OF life.
Franklin, 70 be sure. was a genius and Thomas
WIS simply a man Of talent who knew how TO
make the most Of the talents he had
The Farmers Almanac" was the first 70 ex-
c1ude from its pages the man OF signs or
the moons man. the figure Of anatomy that
hitherto adorned al almanacA Each sign Of the
zodiac governed" an organ or part Of the body
and In selecting day 10 treat any ailment or 10
let blood. Il was necessary 70 know whether or
not the moon WIS IN that sign
As time went on. the theory OF the close
relation between mans body and the signs OF
the zodiac fell into disrepute, and the anatomy
became a laughingstock Snl the people de-
manded their dmehonored monstrosify and al
manac-nskers tuntI the Farmers appeared con-
unned 10 include the moons man" but often
with apology.
Published In Boston The Old Farmers Al
manac" Is sdl family Bible" In many New
England home lit has CIRCULATION Of more than
10000 where the coming Of the little yellow
backed book II the beginning Of each year il
an event 70 be looked forward To- The cover
design has remained but little changed through
the years II bears the portrait Of its founder
Robert Thomas, displayed IN an arzbesque oppo-
site that Of Benjamin Franklin. similarly ex-
hibited- and the familiar pictures Of blowing
haying, harvesting and watering the stock at
frozen watering trough. are shown In rhe corners
70 represent the four seasons. just as they have
for generations
ehy EsEsrz Nswsp9p< uzisA-