Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1902 — "OAT KING OF THE WEST.” [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"OAT KING OF THE WEST.”

Chicago Operator Who Made Immense Profits ou a Shrewd Deal. The big man of the Chicago Board of Trade to-day, and whose every move has been closely watched for the past nine

months, is James A. Patten, mayor of Evanston. Mr. Patten closed an oat deal he had been festering since September and his profits are estimated at $500,000. The day when he closed out his holdings the pit was in an uproar. Mr. Patten and h 1 s agents

were the center of interest and activity, and they bought and sold until the highest price for May oats since 1894 was reached, 49V& cents being the closing figure. At least 400,000 bushels wore disposed of in a few hours, this being the record for the Chicago Exchange. It is estimated in ail Mr. Patten handled 10,000,000 bushels of oats and not over 500,000 cost him above 40 cents.

Mr. Patten has been on the hoard more than twenty years, lie began life as a farmer boy at Sandwich. 111., but moved to Chicago and entered the State grain inspection office early in his career. He was graduated from there in a few years and went into the Board of Trade, For the past ten years Mr. Patten has lieen a successful operator iu grains an 1 stocks. He is a cautious trader and is recognized as one of the shrewdest operators on the hoard. Mr. Patten made his advent into pod-, ties by running for Alderman in Chicago. He was defeated and soon after moved to Evanston. There he has been successful and is now serving as Mayor.

JAMES PATTEN.