SOCIALIST PROJECT
IS STENSLAND'S RUIN
Co-Operative Store Proves a Mill
stone Around Banker's Neck.
(CMoairo Conuiii'tvlal Fv)
The socialistic enterprise of a co-operative
general merchandise depart
ment store, launched and fostered by
Paul O. Stensland, proved to be one of
the principal causes and most Import
ant factors in the ruin of the Milwau
kee Anenue State bank.
The experiment in founding a social
istic institution in Chicago, although
heralded and applauded by socialistic
agitators as a step forward In their
propaganda, has now become a monu
ment of the fatal consequences an ef
fort to carry Into practice socialistic
dreams brings to both the rich and
poor.
Founded Four Years Ago
It was about four years ago that the
founding of the large socialistic Insti
tution on the Northwest side was de
cided upon by Stensland, who, ln-ad-dition
to becoming the founder of the
Erst large socialistic scheme in mer
cantile business, also hoped to benciit
himself and his bank.
When the institution the Co-operative
Store, Milwaukee avenue and
North Carpenter street finally was
located across the street from the
looted bank, it proved to be a mill
stone around Stensland's neck which
kept pulling him down steadily until
the bank crash came. With It came
the disclosure of the Important part
the socialistic venture played.
Draws Many Into Venture
Karnes of prominent citizens, and
glowing descriptions of the great pro
tits In sight for all who would Join in
the co-operative scheme, were used as
the means to get people into Stens
land's socialistic venture. At the out
set the outlook was bright.
Stensland had a large four-story,
stone-front building with thousands
of feet of tloor space on his hands,
which he had found difficult to rent.
The place originally was occupied
by the Wilner Bros., department store
and later by a boot and shoe manufac
turing establishment. For several
years it was a "white elephant" on
Stensland's hands.
Listen to Son's Story
Rentals from the few ollices and
stores and receipts from the postollice
authorities for the substation were
not sutllcient to justify the invest
ment. The elder Stensland was interested
in the progress of socialistic schemes
In Europe. His son Theodore travel
ed In Europe and studied the different
social and economic questions. When
he returned he told his father of the
co-operative department stores In Eng
land and of the existence of other so
cialistic conditions and Institutions
there.
Decide on Co-Operative Store
In a short time after- Theodore
Stenslands' European trip, the co-op
eratlve store on the socialistic basis
was decided on.
Knute It. Matson, former sheriff; F.
I Williams, drainage trustee; Frank
B. Crane, Herman Esdohr, and other
men prominent on the Northwest side
were Dut forth with Stensland as
sponsors for the scheme. The Chica
go Co-operative General Merchandise
store was Incorporated at Newark, N.
J. Large advertisements were put
forward announcing the sale of Wl.OOO
shares of stock at $10 each.
Limit Stock for Each to $1,000
According to the by-laws and artl
cles of Incorporation of the co-opera'
tlve store, no person could own more
than 11,000 worth of stock. This, It
was explained, was to prevent any one
man or a set of a few men from get
ting control of the store.
AH employees were expected to buy
at least one share, paying for It on the
Installment plan. In most cases the
cost of the share was deducted from
the salaries.
The scheme also Included the hold
ir.g of stock by purchasers at the store
who could pay for It nln weekly o
monthly Installments.
Try to Interest Many
The plan was to give everyoue buy
ing at the store a special Interest. It
was urged that everyone should find
himself benefited and that all profits
would be divided among customers,
employes and small Investors alike.
An additional incentive was offered In
the proposition that all purchasing
goods at the store would get a rebate
on their purchases at the end of each
year.
All Stensland wanted out of the
scheme, he explained, was a good ren
tal for his huilding and the banking
of the socialistic concern.
Offers to Sell Building
Stensland was willing to sell the
building to the store. In fact he an
nounced he would not ask any more
for it after the business was estab
lished than during the first year of
existence of the co-operative store.
It was announced that half the
shares were sold when the store open
ed, but according to one of the former
attaches, the actual subscription was
about $4X000. Some of this was not
paid for.
Stensland, however, did not give up
the plan, and backed it financially.
Stensland became its commanding
genius, selecting the general manager
and looking after the Income and ex
penses. Much money was spent dur
Ing the first year to boom the scheme.
Booklets, pictures, street car an
nouncements, advertisements In news
papers and on bill boards were used.
Urge Customers to Buy Stock.
When customers made purchases
during the first months after the open
Ing of the store, they were urged to
buy at least one share. A special desk
was provided in the store to take sub
scriptions. ' Special statistics from
England were on hand to prove w hat a
bonanza the socialistic scheme was go
ing to be.
At no time was It explained that,
like In municipal ownership of street
car lines In England, the conditions
are dillerent and that the locality in
which the co-operative institution was
being planted was fast becoming a
manufacturing district, to which it
would be ditllcult to draw customers
from other sections.
As an inducement to tuy stock, the
prospective purchasers were assured
that each share wouia pay a 7 per
cent dividend, and that the rebate on
purchases would be at least lo percent
Employes Invest Savings
Employes realized that In order to
hold good positions they must buy
more stock. Several of the 1". em
ployes did so. The place was consid
ered as everbody's store, but under
the special patronage of Banker Stens-
land.
The need of money by employes who
held stock brought to light the fact
that when they sought to sell the
stock they could not, even from Stens
land himself, realize $10 a share. This
was at the very time when the " per
cent dividends were being heralded
through various advertisements. ,
No Piece
of furniture
is more han
dy than a nice davenport. It is
handsome In appearance and just
the thing for luxurious lounging on
which to take your artcrnoon nap
or relax the tired physical nature
In the evening. It Is Instantly
convertible into a soft easy bed.
People living In a Hat where space
is at a premium find the davenport
IndiSDonslbie. Helps anybody out
on sleeping accommodations where
there Is company over night.
See Our Display
MICHAEL HILD
Birthday Surprise Party.
A pleasant sorpnse pari)' uecurieu
Saturday evening at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. I'arkcnlngs, live miles west
of town, when a number of friends
gathered to assist Chris, in celeoratlng
his twenty-second birthday anniver
sary. The evening was very delight
fully spent at various games, and
music, until refreshments were served.
At a late hour the merry crowd w ish
ed Chris, many more such happy re
turns and departed for their homes.
Those to participate In the event
were Misses Lena and Mary Melslngcr,
Gertrude Stenner, Florence Pitcher of
Kushvllle, Neb; Mary Warga, Nettle,
Blanche and Josephine Vallery, Mag
gle, Katie and Mary KatTenberger,
Lizzie and Emma Hirz, Feme Ruby,
Teresa Marler, Lena Nlday, Anna
Trletscb, Minna Stohlman, Adelia
Trietsch, Anna and Clara Parkenlng;
Messrs Enill, Louie, Philip, Fred and
Henry Meisinger, August and Henry
Kehne, George KatTenberger, Frank
and Chas. P.estor.Philip and Jos. Hirz,
Noel Manners, Clyde Adamson, Will
Trietsch, Fred and Ed. Baumgart,
Frank Kalasek, Fritz, Mac and J ear
aid Vallery, Fritz Bract; Messrs. and
Mesdames Sol Adamson, Win. Bum
mcl, Ed. Trietsch and Will Vallery.
The young people enjoyed them
selves dancing to the music furnished
by Gustave Heitleman.
SEPTEMBER 5TH THE DATE!
Completing Arra-gme.it$ for Reception to'
Mr. Brjin. !
The h.n;e coming reception of Wil
liam J. linan will U presided over by
Mayor Brown, who will call the meet-,
Ing to order says the Lincoln News.
Prayer will be offered bv Be v. Martin.
pastor i f thechurch at Normal, which
is attended by Mr. Bryan and family.
The welcoming address will be deliver
ed by Governor Mickey and responded
to by Mr. Bryan, after which will oc-
ur the reception In the lower corridor
of the capltol. The exercises will con
clude with a brilliant display of fire
works.
The above program was agreed upon
at a meeting of the reception commit
tee held at the Commercial club yes
terday. It has been ascertained that
Mr. Bryan cannot reach here until late
In the afternoon of September ,r. He
111 be In Chicago the evening before
and the trains by which he can reach
Lincoln are due here at 4:.r.and r.:r In
the afternoon and of course are liable
to be late. 1'nder the circumstances
t was deemed Impracticable to have a
parade, but a large mounted escort
will accompany the party to the state
oust'.
The tinance committee has ordered
000 handsome souvenir badges from a
Newark, N. J., lirm and these will be
sold for 1 each. They will be the onlv
Bryan badges to be had and Is Is now
thought there will be a big demand
for them. It had been hoped that
these would reach here prior to the
leaving of the party for New York to
meet Mr. Bryan, but word has been re
ceived to the effect that they cannot
be shipped before the 'JUh, which Is
the day the party leaves. Two hun
dred have therefore been ordered de
livered in New York and will be re
ceived by the members of the party af
ter they reach there.
Mayor Brown stated that it was the
purpose of the Nebraska party to ask
mr. uryanann family to accompany
them home on the special t rain and In
the event the Invitation Is accepted,
the Nebraskans will of course be ab'
sent until his arrival. ( Hhcrwlsc they
are expected to get home the Sunday
previous.
The hope was expressed by J. L. Mil
ler, chairman of tlie committee on
decorations, that not only the bust
ness port Ion, but the residence parts
of the city would be lavishly decorated
with Hags and all the other members
of the committee were of the same
mind.
A. J. Sawyer was selected as vice
chairman of the general committee and
will Act as chairman during the at
sence of Mayor Brown.
Civilization as Cause of Disease
l'rof Senn, the celebrated surgeon
has just returned from a trip through
Africa and published the result of his
studies of cancer among the tribes o
that country. He assures us that this
terrible disease Is found only among
civilized nations. What should be
done to prevent the spread of cancer
and tuberculosis, without changing
our established customs of living? By
using Trlner's American Elixir of Bit
ter ine we can strengthen our sys
tem to such an extent that it will cas
liy resist all attacks of these two dis
eases. It makes the digestive organs
work and thus renews the blood con
stantly. Whenever any member
your family will not feel "Just right,
give him this elixir; you should take
it, whenever you feel weak, Irritable
nervous, whenever you cannot eat,
work, sleep or when your complexion
changes. At drug stores. Jos. Tri
ner, " So. Ashland Ave.,Chlcago,UI
Alarm Is Spread
One of the department heads be
came alarmed and took his 1,000
worth of stock to Strnsland, threat
ening court proceedings If the same
was not paid for la full.
A compromise was reached, the man
quit his position and received H00 for
the $1,000 of stock.
The store at the end of the first
year proved that It was not a profita
ble venture, but Stensland had hopes.
Although there was no rental coming
to nlm, he was handling the money of
the store, Its employes and sharehold
ers, and thereby increasing the busi
ness of his bank.
It is estimated the losses during the
first year were $l',00o. Ever since
there has been a steady drain. These
losses were fixed up by financial and
book manipulations.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wurl and son
who have been visiting with relatives
in this city, returned to their home In
Byron, Neb., this morning.
INSTITUTE NOTES.
One hundred twenty-two teachers
were present the opening day at the
Institute,
Miss Farley gave a very interesting
and helpful address Monday afternoon
on "What to Bead to the Children."
A very enjoyable time was had at
the teachers' reception on Monday
evening. A very lively ad. writing
contest was one of the features.
Misses Haines and Countryman and
Mr. Andrus succeeded In winning
first prize with the following ad:
"The Arrow rolltr U tl" netiM
It mkin Hi rm mn look lhi wmct s
W llh form mil helubt of UloM fafWO'i
It lirl Um wnrer with utsiuanhln .
Supt. Gamble conducted a Bound
Table for beginners Tuesday after
noon.
The Elm wood High school quartette
furnished music for the afternoon and
evening sessions Tuesday.
The music under the direction of
Supt. Fulmer Is one of the features of
the Institute.
A larger number than usual of men
are In attendance at the Institute
this year.
The address by Dean Fordyce Mon
day afternoon on the Psychology of
the Child received much favorable
comment.
James Wynn of Omaha was down
visiting with his parents today.
Here it Is. The beer you hear
so much about. Our
BUDWEISER
It Is brewed In the prop
er manner and every
thing that enters its
preparation Is first class.
The result is the finest
product. Our
BUDWEISER BEER
U a perfect beer. Try It.
Phil Thierolf
AGENT
TcUetion Ne. ISS
A Clearance
on all Sum
mer Lines
Y want the room
for new fall ooils.
You can buy what's
left of our summer
stock at what we
paid for it. Two
months ahead in
which to wear them
this season, and if
you live you'll con
gratulate yourself on
your bargain next
summer.
C. E.
Wescott's
Sons
"Whtfi Quality Counts. "
Tin
of W.
Socinl Lnij;ely Attended.
lawn social given at the home
of
Bridjies Cost Too Much.
County Commissioner Neilson of
Sarpy county was in town Thursday
and was a pleasant caller at the Cour
lerollice. Mr. Neilson came over to
take a look at the Third street bridge
crossing Mill creek. He said that the
commissioners of that county contem
plate building an iron bridge at
Springfield and he was favorably im
pressed with the style of the bridge
here. He stated that they were try
ing the building of their own bridges
this year and said they were saving
money for the taxpayers by so doing.
When it Is known that last year Sarpy
county paid $.".02 per foot for their
bridge work as against $" "5 in Cass
county Sheeley doing the work In
lioth counties It does not take an ex
pert to figure that Cass county might
follow the example of Sarpy with
profit. Louisville Courier.
Returns to Illinois.
Mr. S. A. Drehmer and family, who
came to Plattsmouth from Illinois
for about one year ago will return to
that state tonight, where they will
make their home for at least one year.
Mr. and Mrs. Drehmer were called to
Prophetstown their old home a few
weeks ago on account of the illness of
Mrs. Drehmer's father. The father
died and the estate was left In such
a condition that It will demand the
attention of Mr. and Mrs. Drehmer In
the old home town for at least one
year In making final settlement. Mr.
Drehmer has been employed in the B.
& M . shops where he has made hosts of
friends who will regret to learn of the
removal of this excellent family. Mr.
Drehmer tells us that they will surely
return to Plattsmouth just as soon as
possible. Success to them is the wish
of all friends.
L. Thomas, two miles west, of
this city, by the members of the True
Blue lodge No. t'.Mi'.i, proved to be a
success In every particular last night.
The toys had hayracks at the Blley
hotel and thus conveyed a merry
crowd from town to the scene of fes
tivities. The lawn was beautifully
decorated for the occasion wit h elec
tric lights under which the tables and
chairs were placed. A large grapho-
phone belonging to Phil Sautcr fur
nished many pleasing selections, while
several others favored the large com
pany present with selections on the
piano. Various games were pro
duced by the entertainers, for the en
joyment of their guests, who num
bered in the neighborhood of two hundred.
The tables were frequently resorted
to by the gathering, and the demand
for Ice cream was to be heard on every
hand. The members of the lodge
were equal to the occasion, and saw
that each and every one was properly
provided with the essentials of aso
cial time. A slight accident occurred
while transporting the participants to
and from the social. neof the whec
of the hayrack broke, but the boys
Immediately obtained another and
the good lime prevailed without in
terruption.
LATTER DAY PROVERBS.
"Dog Days" On.
The period of the greatest heat of
the summer is called "dog days," and
has reference to the fact that In an
cient times, this was also the season
when the dog star rose with the sun,
and to this was attributed the malig
nant energy of the sun's rays at that
season. Sirius, the Dog Star, Is the
brightest star In the heavens, and at
one time was thought to exercise a
baleful intluence upon human affairs.
Although ancient astronomers de
scribed It as a red star, it Is now a
clear white star, In the constellation
Cants, and Is, In mythology, closely as
sociated with the story of Orion
Whatever of baleful Intluence the an
dents ascribed to the rising of the star
with the sun, Is purely ficticious, as It
Is the great heat which works the
harm.
Bemember, young man, It is far
easier to lind a wife than to lose one
The man at the top of the laddei
taxes out nine liucrsi oi tne rounds.
A woman Is seldom satisfied Alien
an old dress is forced to do her a good
turn.
The reason why people always like
babies and kittens Is that they al
ways act naturally.
The great trouble of practicing what
you preach Is that it is so easy to get
out of practice.
A man gets ready for a wedding in
the frame of mind a woman gets ready
for a funeral.
When he lends a helping hand, the
average man makes so much noise
that It spoils the effect.
When an office boy's relatives begin
to die, It is a sign that the baseball
season is coming around.
You have probably observed that
there is only a few dollars' difference
between "ennui" and "laziness."
The woman who never wonders
what her husband does with so much
pocket change is a pearl of great price.
Charity may begin at home, but did
you ever note in a time of great stress
how far and rapidly It travels?
The man who turns out In the rain
to go to church feels that he Is en
titled to a double measure of blessed
ness.
It Is always difficult for a young
man to understand wnat there is
about his sister that attracts other
young men.
Where there Is plenty of champagne
at the wedding reception, ail the
guests never saw such a pretty bride
before.
It sometimes comes to pass that af
ter a man has eaten everything that
has been set before him, he wonders
what alls him.
A BRIEF VISIT IN ELMW000
A Journal Rspresentatlva Wakes i Trip
to the Western Part ot ths County.
Last Thursday evening the Journal
publisher left Plattsmouth for a couplo
of days visit with the good people of
Llniwoi d and vicinity. We arrived in
that enterprising little city about six
o'clock the following morning, and
even at that early hour found a great
many of the people preparing for their
days work. It is hardly worth while,
for us to say that Klmwood Is one of
the best towns In Cass county, located
In one of the richest farming section:
In the world, for this has been told
them so often that the people of the
prosperous little city begin to liellevo
It themselves; the town has the linenl
stores of any town Us sle In the state,
or evttii much larger towns, the most
beautiful residences to be found any
where, with good concrete sidewalks
and beautiful lawns. Hut with all this
being strictly up to date In every par
ticular the latest commendable move.
on the part of tlie rustling bus ness
men of Klmwood Is the new city park,
which is receiving almost the united
support, of the town. The acres of
ground has been leased just east of the
city line, which Is already a beautiful
natural park, but with a little grading
ami other Improvements, such as a
bridge across tlie little stream that
passes through the center, a number
of buildings that are now under course
of construction, such as a hand stand,
dancing platform, and a number of
concession booths, all of which w ill bo
erected as soon as possible, and It will
bean Ideal spot for holding annual
celebrations. It will also be fitted uo
with a speaker's stand and a large
seating accommodation. A formal
opening will be held this summer In
the way of a grand celebration in hon
or of the opening day, and Improve
ments will be made from year to year
according to the success the promoters
are favored wit h.
Four hundred dollars has been rais
ed by popular subscription of the peo
ple, which Is sufficient to give the en
terprise a good start, which Is all that
it needs, as tlie business men of Klm
wood will be there at tlie finish. An
aceytellnc gas plant will be placed on
the grounds or will be piped from the
city plant tofurnlshllghtfor the even
ing gatherings. The date for the open
ing will he announced 'atcr, and will
be followed with an old settlers' picnic
sometime In September. The oillcers
for The Klmwood Park Association
will lie as follows; President, J. (.
Stark: secretary, F. L. Woolcott; treas
urer. Kdwin J. Jcary; chairman of con
cessions committc, L. F. Langhorst.
We spent most of the day Friday vis
iting friends of the Journal, and en
deavoring to make as many new ones
as possible, and late In the afternoon
took a drive out among the farmers of
that locality, and later landed In Mur
dock, where we visited with a few of
our staunch friends, and returned to
Klmwood in the evening, where we re
mained .'over night.
Women Avert Conflagration.
While the men folks were busy
threshing at . M. Melsinger's place
near Cedar Creek yesterday afternoon,
a blaze, originating from an unknown
source, threatened to destroy their
beautiful home, which was completed
about a year ago, until Mrs. Meisinger
and daughter discovered the tlamcs
and began to tight the fire.
The men arrived home In a short
time, and after about two houts' work,
succeeded In extinguishing the fire,
but not before It had eaten through
the celling and two doors.
Alco Fisher went to Greenwood this
afternoon for a visit with relatives.
Union Is Prosperous.
On our return trip from Klmwood,
we spent several hours Saturday In
Colon, and feel as though we should
mention the prosperous appearance
this southeast Cass county town is now
enjoying. Kverybody Is preparing for
a big time at the Old Settlers' Reun
ion, one week from Friday and Satur
day, August L'l and 2.1. The painters
and carpenters are busy with brush
and hammer making every preparation
for a grand good time on the two pic
nic days. Wp were Instructed to ex
tend a cordial Invitation to every one
to be with them. The Old Settlers'
Reunion has always been a success, and
this year It will be bigger and better
than ever; a larger program has been
prepared and more money Is being used
for the amusement of the many visi
tors expected.
Among the substantial Improve
ments of the town are the two new
concrete stone buildings under course
of construction on Main street, being
erected by W. H. Hannlng; one busi
ness building and the other a resi
dence; the former when completed
will be the property of J. W. Pitman,
and will he rented for the postoftlce,
I he latter will be one of the finest resi
dences In I'nlon, and Is being built for
Mrs. M. K. Davis. The new structure
is .Nx:w, two story building and will
contain eight large and commodious
rooms, one of which will be fitted for
the independent telephone exchange,
of which Mrs. Davis Is manager. The
concrete stone In these two buildings
Is belug mannfacturcd In I'nlon by W.
II. Panning, and certainly has the ap
pearance of being the best and most
substantial building material now to
be found on the market. This ma
terial is also used In the foundation of
frame buildings, and a great many
have already been contracted for.
They also manufacture concrete blocks
for sidewalks, and before many moons
the city of Union will have walks
made from this material over the en
tire town. Let the good work move
on, build your residences and business
blocks and sidewalks of concrete
blocks, and thus patronize a home In
dustry that Is worthy of your atten
tion. This la what the Journal be
lieves to be right.
