page an.
DAILY EAST OREQONIAN, PENDLETON, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1907.
EIGHT PAGES,
JAP POTATO KING
GEORGE SHIMA MARKETS
OVER 9000 ACRES
Raided S 00,000 Sacks Tit Is Year In
Delta of the Sacramento River Near
Stockton lias tlic Potato Market of
San Frauds" Cornered Pays $1S
Per Acre and His Rent Is PakI on
8000 Acres Fire Years In Advance.
With muttering of an International
war between the United States and
Japan occupying tha attention of the
reading public, the statement that the
potato king of the world ts a Japan
ise and that he has the potato mar
ket of California by the throat. Villi
doubtless be received with considera
ble surprise, says the Oregon Sunday
Journal.
Nevertheless, that statement Is true.
The spud king Is also a Jap and he
operates in and about Stockton, the
potato center of California, and re
sides In San Francisco. His name ts
George Shlma and his domain consists
of S0 broad acrrs of the richest
delta !ands of the world lying Just
west of Stockton.' Sliima leases this
land and he has his rent paid for five
years In advance. The coal famine
does not worry him. He meets It by
holding out for an additional 5c on
each bag of potatoes.
Rockefeller may raise the price of
oil and his subjects burn candles, but
when King Shiina raises the price of
spuds his subjects pay It, for he has
the spud market in California cor
Tit red.
But there Is no Joke about George
Shlma being the potato king. He is
the greatest potato grower In the
world. He farms a larger tract of
land to potatoes than does any other
cne man or one firm. He gTows more
bags of potatoes than does any other
person or corporation. He counts his
acres by the thousands and his profit
by the hundreds of thousands of dol
lars. His employes are legion, and
with the exception of the white men
who operate his launches and act as
his agents, his help are all Japanese
and Chinese. The latter look to him
as more than a king. Next to their
Incense honored idol, he Is their god
King Is Americanized.
George Shlma is not a heathen fa
vorite of fortune. He Is Americaniz
ed in business, domestic life and re
ligion. That he Is not an American
cltixt-n Is more the fault of the laws
of the land than of his desires, but as
he is denied citizenship In the United
States he remains a patriot subject of
his mikado. His family of wife and
three children reMde with him at 1560
Fulton street, San Francisco, but he
is forced to spend the greater part of
his time superintending the work on
his potato ranches and watching the
potato market In Stockton. He has
learned potato growing from drudg
ery to opulence.
Seventeen years ago, at the age of
23 years, George Shima came from
Japan to New Hope, in this country.
He went to work for Arthur Thorn
to. pulling stumps alorg the Moke
lume river. Shima was a good stump
puller, but as he did not come to
America to pull stumps, but to get an
education in farming ht worked at
thet labor but a few months. He soon
saw that there was great money in
growing potatoes In tho rich delta
lends of this county and he set about
learning all there was to be found
out aliuut growing potatoes,
f . Hents n Few Acres,
' With his hew knowledge and a few
dollars saved from his meager wages
he rented a few acres along the Mo
kelumne river and planted his first
crop of potatoes. He had to hire the
plowing done and the hoeing and dig
ging he did with his own hands. He
hung on to what he made.
Fach succeeding year he had more
and more potaties to ship from the
riv.T bank o the Stockton market
The steamer companies Insisted on,
him paying cash for the freight on
delivery. Now they would give him1
credit for a steamboat line, but he is
n:lll paying cash, or rather by check.
NVt much was heard about George
Shlma until last season. Then when
the potato buyers needed potatoes and
needed them badiy they found that
George Shlma had the only available
mpply. Shima kn-v this befcre the
buyers came to him. He was not
ready to sU. The market went up
and up, and suddenly the potatoes
which the buyers had secured In Col
uradn and Utah camo and the market
broke In a day. t-hlma lost $20,000
but he did not whimper.
This season, Junt coming to a cloe
found Shlma the gieatest potato grow.
er In the world. He dug over 300,000
bags of fine pctatoes on his leisfd
ground F'rfore he had finished dig-
King th'-m he had leased for flv.
y'-ars nearly 8000 acres of the newest
delta lands In the county and had paid
S15 ''ash rfntal per acre and paid in
l: 'ivanc c
mpptem -at to tfce Deealoera.
Our aociu organisation baa devel
oped to a s use where the old right
eousness Is .iot enough. We need an
annual sum loiuent to the Decalogue.
The growth of 'credit Institutions, the
spread of fluclarj relations, the en
meshing or ailustry In law, the Inter
lacing of go eminent and business, the
multiplies tl :i of boards and Inspect
ors, benefice ;t aa they all are, they In
vite to aln. What gateway! they open
to greed! What fresh parasites they
let in on u.: How Idle In our new
situation u Intone the old litanies!
The reality t ibis close knit Ufe Is not
to be seen and touched; tt must be
thought, T e sins It opens the door to
re to be Jlscerned by knitting the
brows rathe than by opening the eyes.
It takes Imt filiation to see that bogus
medical dlpiima, lying advertisement
and fake tet tlmonlal are death dealing
Instruments It takes Imagination to
see that sa.-lngs bank wrecker, loan
shark and investment swindler In tak
ing llvellh3ds take lives. It takes
Imagination to see that the business of
debauching voters, filing Juries, se
ducing lawmakers and corrupting pub
lic servants Is like sawing through the
props of a crowded grand stand. E A.
Ross In Atlantic.
Llvli B la Coral Hoases.
The chut-ili built of , coral Is one of
the curiosities of the' Isle of Mahe.
one of the Seychelles Islands, In the
Indian ocean. The Seychelles Islnuds.
which are supposed by many to be thv
site of the EdeD of the Old Testament,
form an archipelago of 114 Islands and
are situated about 1,400 miles east of
Aden and 1,000 miles of Zanzibar.
They rise steeply out of the sea, culmi
nating in the Isle of Mahe, which Is
about 3,000 feet above the level of the
ocean and Is nearly the center of the
group. All these Islands are of corn!
growth. The bouses are built of u
species of massive cornl hewed into
square blocks, which glisten like white
marble and show themselves to the
utmost advantage In the various tinted
green of the thick tropical palms,
whose Immense fernlike leaves give
pleasant and much needed shade. These
palms grow as high as 100 feet or more,
overtopping both the bouses and the
coral built church. They line the sea
shore and cover the mountains, form
ing In many places extensive forests.
Cured of Lung Trouble.
"It Is now 11 years since I had-a
narrow eseape from consumption,"
writes C. O. Floyd, a leading business
man of Kershaw, S. C. "I had run
down in weight to 135 pounds, and
coughing was constant, both by, day
and by night. Finally I began taking
Dr. King's New Discovery, and con
tinued this for about six months,
when my cough and lung trouble
were entirely gone and 1 was restored
to my normal weight, 170 pounds."
Thousands of persons are healed every
year. Guaranteed at Tallman It Co. "a
drug store. 00c and $1.00. Trial bot
tle free.
The Boring; of Glass.
Strong glass plates are bored through
by means of rotating brass tubes of
the necessary diameter, which are
filled with water during boring. To
the water there Is added finely pul
verized emery. It Is said that thinner
glass can be perforated with holes In
an easier manner by pressing a disk
of wet clay upon the glass and making
a hole through the clay of the widths
desired, so that at that spot the glass
Is laid bare. Then molten lead Is
poured Into the bole, and lead and
glass drop down at once. This method
is based upon the quick local heat
ing of the glass, whereby it obtains a
circular crack, the outline of which cor
responds to the outline of the hole
made In the clay. The cutting of glass
tubes, cylinders, etc., In factories is
based upon the same principle.
Moderation la Exercise.
It Is better to be lazy than dead, and
It Is probably Just as comfortable. For
obvious reasons the prescription to take
moderate exercise Is misleading and
unsatisfactory. Most of us are consti
tutionally Incapable of exercising mod
erately. We begin violently and end
quickly. And what la moderate exer
cise? One philosopher who tried It for
twenty years arrived at this conclu
sion: "Keep & pair of Indian clubs in
your bedroom. Look at them frequent
ly. Exercise by their suggestion."
This has the merit of moderation. It
Is the same as to walking. Smell the
morning, look down the long way that
separates you from your business.
Then take a car. Detroit Free Press.
Anticipating- Him,
"Katftarlne," said Bob as he brought
his club chums down to the depot
platform, "these are all my friends."
"Glad to meet you, gentlemen," re
plied the bride sweetly, "and I am
so sorry thut you are going to be sick."
"Sick?" echoed the crowd in aston
ishment. "Why should you think we
are going to be sick?"
"Oh, because soon after the honey
moon a married man always finds a
great many sick friends to stt up
with." Columbus Dispatch.
Refrigerator Car Service.
RffecUve at once the O. R. A N.
company will Inaugurate a weekly
refrigerator car service from Port
land. The refrigerator cars will leave
Portland every Tuesday and will han
dle perishable stuff, for all points
east of Umatilla- A similar servtve
will be operated on the Washington
division. .
Not of Mocb Account.
The lord chief Justice of England used
to sing In the choir of a parish church.
A woman once asked the verger to
point out Sir Richard Webster as he
then was. The verger replied, "Well
ma'am, that's the vicnr and them's the
curates and I'm the verger, but as for
the choir, as long as they does their
dooty we don't Inquire Into their hante
cedents!"
Stupid.
"I wish I was half as beautiful ae
MlssJlrown," remarked the fair Edit!
to Mr. Green.
"Well, you nre, you kr.ow," replied
Green, thoughtlessly.
Then he wondered why she suddenly
rose and left him.
Dcllcnte Operation,
"Yaas," suddenly declared Choll
Braneless, "I'm going to work. I've
made up my mind."
"You have?" exclaimed Miss Pep
pery. "My! Whnt a delicate opera
tion!" Catholic Standard and Times.
Brlng-lnff t Home.
Her Father What are you and youtif
Bhortlelgh going to live on In case you
marry? His Daughter Well, If yov
must know, papa, look In the mirror.
Be censures God who quarrels Witt
the Imperfections of men. Basse.
Venison only costs t cents a, pound
In certain parts of Newfoundland.
LOST AND "FOUND
i
We have just " received a carload of furniture that we lost
for some time between here and Chicago. It should have reach
ed us by December 5th but owing to shortage of cars it was late
in starting then it was side tracked so long that these goods,
many of which were ordered for holiday trade are now on our
hands somewhat late but not out of season. Such staple, useful
articles as we show here are never out of season but always in
demand. As the holiday season is past when we expected to
unload a great number of these goods we now offer you some
unparalleled bargains, especially in the four beauties illustrated
here. Read our special offer then act quickly for these big bar
gains won't last long. "A word to the wise is sufficient."
$3.90
And Its worth Is far In excess of the
price we get. Its high-grade, glossy
golden finish, massive bent arms, rod
ded and bolted, all serve to make this
Rocker one of beauty and utility. Its
every shape and outline Is that of
comfort and beauty. With proper
care this solid, pretty Rocker will
last a natural life time; all for
only $3.90
If you like weathered oak,, here Is
a Rocker In genuine Spanish roan
skin leather that will catch your eye
Nothing hut choice material ts used
In this big, comfortable Rocker. The
back Is genuine leather as well as the
seat, which Is on a steel and spring
foundation. It Is hand-made and
guaranteed In every detail. It differs
from other first-class goods In only
i one way: It Is cheaper. We Invite
comparison and defy competition at
the price $8.95
A Beauty
Comfort Combination
Nothing adds nore to
the beauty and comfort
of a home than nice easy
Rockers and Chairs.
WHAT 13 HOME WITHOUT A ROCKER?
IT IS ALMOST I.IKE "HOME WITHOUT A
MOTnER."
HERE IS A QUARTET OF BEAUTIES THAT
FOR PRICE, QUALITY CONSIDERED, HAS
NEVER REEX SURPASSED IX THE WEST.
ASK YOURSELF CONSCIENTIOUSLY IF YOV
HAVE EVER SEEN THEIR EQUAL ANYWHERE
AT THE VRICE. THE ENORMOUS SIZE, COM
FORTAIil.F SHAPE, ORNAMENTAL DESIGNS
AND SOLIDITY OF STRUCTURE IN EACH,
COUPLED WITH PRICES BELOW ALL COMPE
TITION. FORM AN HARMONIOUS COMBINATION
THAT IS DIFFICULT TO RESIST.
IF YOU SEE ANY ONE OF THESE CHAIRS
YOU WILL LIKE IT. IF YOC LIKE IT TRY IT.
TO TRY IT IS TO BUY IT.
$8.95
Nuff Said
DC. RADER
$2.90
WHAT DO YOTJ THINK OF THAT?
A big easy reed Rocker for about
half the price you have been paying
for such! There is an air of neatness
and comfort about this Rocker that
makes It "at home" anywhere, on
the porch. In the pHrlor or living
room .and It's so light to move around
and so comfartable when In use. We
have olhcr reed chairs more elabor
ate, but this one makes everybody
"sit up and take notice" for. . . .$2.(M1
See this dandy Morris Chair' Oh.
Im't It a beauty? Yes, and It's Just
ns good and comfortable as It Is pret
ty. At our price, $9.95, this masslvo
Chair Is the greatest value ever creat
oj In the chair line. The frame Is
solid, select golden oak. The sani
tary ope nsteef. spring seat Is soft
and comfortable. Here Is luxury
durability, comfort and beauty all at
a price below anything you ever saw'
for !es than $10 0(1
$9.95
Some Grant County Sheep Deals.
H. A. Murphy, formerly of the M.
M. Co., of this city, was down on the
South Fork last week and purchased
1400 head of sheep from E. O. Mar
tin, paying J3 per head. Mr. Murphy
also bought the hay and will use the
rane this winter.
Mr. Farnswnrth, nf Heppner, bought
1470 head of sheep from Mr. Kennedy
lnrt week, about 900 of the band are
ewes and the rest are lambs. The
price paid was $3 for lambs and J3.50
for ewes. The sheep, which have been
pastured on F. Scharff's ranch the last
month, were started for Heppner
Monday. Monument Enterprise.
r
The Pig Bend Oraln company's
warehouse nt Odessa, collapsed be
cause of defective foundations, scat
tering liO.OOO bushels of wheat.
FRAZER THEATRE
ONE NIGHT ONLY
Thursday, January 3rd.
.. ; ,TOHN CORT OFFERS WShfV--,Jt"
FLORENCE RQBERTS
IN
The Strength of the Weak
A Modern Society Drama of Intense Heart Interest.
PY ALICE M. SMITH AND CHARLOTTE THOMPSON.
PRODUCED EXACTLY AS OFFERFP AT THE LIBERTY THEA
TER, NEW YORK CITY, WHERE IT RAN FOR 100 NIGHTS LAST
SEASON.
- -. PRICE8: $1.80 TO BO CENTS. fBl 1X1 111
SCATS O NSALE JANUARY 1 AT, PENDLETON DRUG , 00,, ,
Put Wings to Your Work
An electric motor will do more and
better work than any other power
that you chn use. The economy of
Ms use Is a demonstrated fact If you
want good, quick work at a minimum
of cost, you want an electric motor.
We will be pleased to give you our
prices and to furnish complete esti
mate to suit your needs.
Northwestern Gas and
Electric Co.
CORNER COURT AND 43ARDEN 8T.
WE ARE "STILL HAMMERING,
away and emphasizing the great valun
of nur lumber nnd Its superior qual
ity for building and other purposes.
If we did not positively know it to
be all right we would not guarantee
It, hut we do know It to be the
soundest nnd strongest lumber ever
offered la this market, remarkably
free fiom imperfections, and cut Into
convenient lengths for quick use. Our
prices, aa you know, were always low.
i DH LUMBER YARD
BIS Alta St.
'Phone Main 8
The East Oregonian is eastern Oregon's representative paper. It
leads and the people appreciate it and show it by their liberal patron
age. It is the advertising medium of this section.