Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1893 — TOPICS OF THESE TIMES. [ARTICLE]

TOPICS OF THESE TIMES.

. A HOME MADE CRISIS. A correspondent writing tothe St. Louis Globe-Democrat from New York tells nf the terrible times that prevailed on Cow Island, on the Atlantic coast, as a result of the universal lack of confidence, which was conveyed to that primitive community through the medium of the Boston Telegraph. Old man Hutchins has for forty years been the “great man” of the sinall community, and is the only man who takes a newspaper —hence he is the moulder of its “public opinion” as well as its financial mogul. Hutchins has been a subscriber to the Telegraph since 1867, and has never dared to doubt or differ with any statement ever found in its columns, although its policy has been changed repeatedly. So when he read in a leading editorial in his only paper that there was a panic abroad on the mainland he was alarmed and said to his wife: “B’jinks, mother, money seems to ’be a’mighty skerse jest now. They haint got none even up in Boston.” He said to “mother” that “the folks as had money are holdin’ onto it.” Hutchins had that day sold fish at Swan Island, for which he had received $7.50 in cash, with which he had intended paying an account at the village store of $3.08. But he said reflectively, “I guess I’ll hang onto it till we get next week’s paper. I’ll bet ther ain’t sls ready cash on Cow Island.” Hutchins the following morning went down to the store to buy bait. “Chalk ’em up,” said he. Collins, the storekeeper, pulled out a little canvas bag and. counted out $1.92, and said. .“I was sort o’ hopin’. Uncle Lem, you’d give me something to-day.” “Can't do it, John. Banks breakin’ all over the country. Folks sendin’ gold to Europe. Read 'bout it in the paper last night.” “Sufferin’ mackrell” said Collins. “They be,” said Uncle Lem, “and the worst ain’t come yet. A nd that reminds me that Blake owes me $3 for hay. I’ll go over and give him a chance to settle up.” Hutchins left and two women entered with blue berries for sale. Collins agreed to take the berries provided they would take their pay in trade, but nothing but cash would buy their berries—which the store keeper did not have. “Can’t spare it,” said he, “Uncle Lem Hutchin’s was jest in here and he says he sees it in the paper they ain’t no money to be had anywheres.” The women lost their temper and left and the storekeeper sat down to ruminate over the financial situation. Presently Mrs. Hutchins came in with four dozen eggs,., but she wanted cash —or blue berries! Collins suggested that he might credit them on “Uncle Lem's” account, but “mother” said “nay.” Then two young men entered to make arrangements for camping on the island. They wanted a good supply of crackers and cheese, and inquired where they could buy milk. The storekeeper referred them to “ Uncle Lein”“Tor the milk. The'

young men tendered "a five dollar bill in payment for the crackers and cheese. Collins could not change it and the young men left saying they would not stay in such. a povertystricken place. Collins reflected bitterly that if “Uncle Lem” had only paid his bill a good stroke of business could have been done all around. “Uncle Lem” came in. and said Blake said he would pay for the hay as soon as Rufe Webb paid him. “Uncle Lem” departed vowing vengeance on Blake. Presently Rufe Webb entered the store, and said: “I’m sorry to bother ye, John, but Blake has been dunnin’ me for $3 and odd I owe him. His wife borrowed Uncle Lem Hutchin’s paper and read about mony being skorse. That set Blake onto me. Now if you’ll pay me the $3 and odd you owe me —.” “Couldn’t to save me,” said Collins. “I donno what I’m goin’ to do,” said Webb. “Blake will sue me, and if be —” “You’ll sue a man by the name of Collins,” said the storekeeper. “I can’t help it, John. Money’s mighty skerse. The papers say so. and every man ought to have his own. ” “But how's he goin’ to get it?” said Collins. “There is more’n sl2 owin’ me this minnit. If there’s any lawin’ I’ll take a shy at it myself.” That day everybody on Cow Island talked about lawsuits. Trade came to a standstill. Baftfib did not go. Tiv-" erybody wanted cash. Nobody would give it. Uneasiness prevailed. Every many knocked off work to go and dun somebody for an old debt, and threaten them with a lawsuit. Finally “Uncle Lem” left for Isle au Haut to consult a lawyer. The legal gentleman was intoxicated. He was in a generous mood and “set om up” to “Uncle Lem.” The conJu, —see was that Hutchins forgot what he came for and returned to Cow Island in a frame of mind which mado him forget that “money was

skerse.” He rolled into Collin’* store about dusk. ‘ ‘What’s yer bill, John,” savs he. “Three dollars and eight cents. ' said Collins, and begot the money. rr Sit right down here, Uncle Lem, while I run over to Rufe Webb’s,” said Collins. When the storekeeper retnrned “Uncle Lem ’ was fast asleep, —but was soon awakened by George Blake. “Oh, Uncle Lem, here’s yer money for the hay,” said Blake. “Rufe Webb jest settled with me. ” By noon the next day the panic was over on Cow Island Everybody had plucked up courage to pay his debts and gone to work again. AN AMERICAN TRIUMPH. Chief Geo. C. Hale, of the Kansas City fire department, was in Chicago the other day, and told to an Inter-Ocean reporter the story of how hq and his nine men won all the medals and honorsatthelnternational Fire Congress in London in June, in a way that is very gratifying to patriotic Americans. The contest took place June 12. But one company of English firemen were entered against foreign competitors, and it was given the first triaF on a “time” test to “turn out”. Horses are not kept in London engine houses on account of sanitary laws. . The burly Englishmen tumbled out of bed, stopping to button on their coats and buckle on huge belts, then scrambled down a stairway and hitched ttyeir horses, with harness which they had to throw on and buckle, besides having to raise and slip the tongue of the engine in place. Finally they came out, and when the judges announced the time, “ope minute and seventeen seconds,” the crowd went wild with joy. Many gathered about Chief Hale and began to banter him, saying: “Eh, America, what do you think of that?” Then came the Kansas City crew’s turn. At the clang of the bell they tumbled out of bed and slid down the brass pole to the engine. Clank went the * suspended harness onto the trained horses and they rushed to their places. There was a rush and “America” was out, and the judges announced the time, “eight and a half seconds.” The people gasped and then broke loose in a hurricane of enthusiasm. A half dozen men seized Chief Hale and dragged him along to the royal box, and he was formally introduced to the Lord Mayors of London, Dublin and York, and a score of lords and ladies in gold lace and powdered wigs Later the crew was dined by the Lord Mayor of London. The London fire brigade did not show up again. The Americans gave daily exhibitions to thunderstruck crowds. Representative crews were present from Russia, Portugal, France, Germany and Belgium. Chief Hale says that foreign firemen and apparatus are ndt to be compared with Americans and their modern ideas and improvements, but that owing to the greater solidity of the buildings in European cities, and the extreme care exercised by the people, the protection afforded is better than is possible in this country.

TIPTON COUNTY FINANCIERS. Tipton county has adcled a new phase to the financial situation that inay in the future prove of great value to the country at large. , A court house has been in process of construction for some time and the commissioners were under obligations to pay SIO,OOO monthly to the builders. With a handsome surplus in the treasury the trio controlling county affairs had felt safe in making such a contract. Misfortunes seldom come singly to a man or corporation that is in debt, and the finan cial crisis and a defaulting treasurer left these worthy gentlemen in a bad predicament. The treasurer’s bondstnen could not promptly make good the deficiency, and county bonds could not be sold on the market. Apparently work on the court house would have to stop. But the farmers of the countv came to the rescue and promptly cashed the bonds of their own county and were very glad of the opjwrtunity afforded them to securely invest their surplus funds. Many had drawn their money from the banks, but they had unlimited ‘‘confidence” in old Tipton and brought out their cash without hesitation. The commissioners soon had as much money as they needed. Three times the amount of the bonds could easily have been placed. There was plenty of money in the county, yet every man of the investors ip home securities would swear that “times wererhard,” and that there was actually “no mpney in circulation.” The lesson afforded by the circumstance is valuable. There is not a county in Indiana whose citizens can not easily carry tho home bonds of their county for improvements needed, and the services of foreign brokers, often obtained at an excessive percentage, are super fluous and totally unnecessary in a majority of cases. Counties should not build or improve beyond the ability of their own citizens to furnish necessary fnnds, and, like individuals, will in the long run find that to “live within their means” is the beet policy to pursue.