USA > Missouri > Atchison County > Biographical history: Atchison County, Missouri > Part 28
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On Feb. 22nd, 1877, Mr. Thomson was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Rhoda, daughter of Martin and Anne Martha Rhoda. Of this union two children were born, one of whom is living, namely: Gertrude Alice, born Sept. 20, 1881. The other child died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomson are members of the First Presbyterian church at Tarkio. Politically Mr. Thomson is a Republican. He held the office of director of his school district several years.
658
HOME OF R. THOMSON.
MOODY BARTHOLOMEW.
M OODY BARTHOLOMEW, merchant at Phelps City, Mo., was born in Atchison county, Missouri, Aug. 9th, 1875. His parents were Frank B. and Maggie (Casey) Bartholomew. Mr. Bartholomew was a native of Ohio-Mrs. Bartholomew of Novia Scotia. The subject of this sketch lived on the farm with his parents until in his sixteenth year, when he started out to make his own way in the world. He continued working on the farm until he accepted the position of conductor on the R. P., L. & N. Ry., which position he held three years. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Phelps City, in partnership with W. C. Wade and James M. Scamman, the name of the firm being Bar- tholomew, Wade & Co. This firm later disposed of the store, Mr. Bartholomew remaining with the successors to the firm.
Fraternally, Mr. Bartholomew is a Knight of Pythias, his membership being with the lodge at Rock Port. He has been Keeper of Records and Seals of that lodge. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Democratic Central Committee of Atchison county. He is also a member of the town board of Phelps City.
After attending the home schools Mr. Bartholomew took a course in the business college at Shenandoah, Ia.
On Dec. 25th, 1900, Mr. Bartholomew and Miss Lillie Cusick were united in marriage. She is a daughter of William and Minnie Cusick-their only chlld, and was born in Phelps City, in March, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew have one child-Vera, born Dec. 4, 1902.
Mrs. Bartholomew is member of the Christian church at Phelps City. Previous to her marriage she taught school four years in Atchison county.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew own and live in a nice five-room cottage in Phelps City. There is also a barn and all necessary outbuildings, all on eighteen lots.
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RESIDENCE OF MOODY BARTHOLOMEW.
R. G. SEYMOUR.
R UFUS GEORGE SEYMOUR was born in Atchison county, Missouri, Dec. 29th, 1867, the son of John and Jane Seymour. With the exception of eighteen months in Texas his whole life has been passed in Atchison county. He owns and lives upon a farmi of 130 acres, in sections 19 and 20, township 64, range 40, two and one-half miles west of Fairfax.
On this farm is a residence of the following dimensions: 14x28 feet and 16x18 feet, 11% stories. The barn, in size, is 20x32 feet, with 14-foot posts; sheep barn, 12x48 feet. Also other outbuildings and an orchard. Mr. Seymour sells hisgrain and feeds it to stock of his own raising. He makes a specialty of raising hogs and sheep.
On Feb. 12, 1891, Mr. Seymour was united in marriage with Miss Ida Pebley, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Pebley. She was born in Atchison county, Missouri, on May 25th, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour have five children, namely: Edward, born Nov. 8, 1891; Charles, born Nov. 16, 1892; Fern, born June 23, 1894; John, born Nov. 16, 1895; Herman, born Feb. 23, 1898.
Mr. Seymour is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. lodges at Fairfax. In the odge first named he holds the office of Past Grand, and he has held the office of Noble Grand.
Politically, he is a Democrat.
662
RESIDENCE OF R. G. SEYMOUR.
ROCK PORT LODGE NO. 125, I. O. O. F.
R OCK PORT LODGE No. 125, I. O. O. F., was instituted Oct. 1st, 1858, by F. S. Roe- stock, of Oregon Lodge No. 54, District Deputy Grand Master, and the charter was granted May 29, 1859. The lodge was organized with the following charter members: W. H. Dunbar, C. B. Reily, J. W. Ruland, L. F. Connette, John Dillon, Daniel Walkup, J. D. Murphy, Samuel Tate, R. T. Young, Jas. H. Jamison, A. H. Sharp. The first officers elected and installed were: W. H. Dunbar, N. G .; C. B. Reily, V. G .; J. W. Ruland, Sec'y; I. F. Connette, Treas. The lodge continued to meet until March 25th, 1861, when it suspended meeting on account of the war. On Sept. 1st, 1866, the lodge was re-organized with the following members: Chas. V. Snow, Daniel Snyder, Spear Spencer, J. Y. Bird, J. D. Murphy, D. H. Walkup. C. V. Snow was elected N. G .; Daniel Snyder. V. G .; F. M. Thompson, Sec'y; Spear Spencer, Treas. A. E. Wyatt, Jos. Teague, John Kelley and Frank Davis were admitted by card as Ancient Odd Fellows. The lodge met in a room in the old hotel building known now as the Valley House, when they moved to a hall built by them in the upper story of a frame building situated on lot 12, block 13 of Nuckolls & White's Addition to the town of Rock Port, where the lodge continued to meet until the erection of the building situate on lot 1, block 14 of Nuckolls & White's Addition to Rock Port, said building having been completed on June 17th, 1871. In this building the lodge has since met.
(Continued on page 666)
664
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I. O. O. F. HALL.
PRESENT MEMBERSHIP OF I. O. O. F. LODGE NO. 125.
(Continued from page 664)
Adamson, H. W. Atkins, O. P.
Enoch. Henry
Kuntz, E. V.
Krusor, J. W.
Fox, Geo. W.
Kineannon, Jolm C.
Bird, E. O.
Fox, Win.
Kimberling, R. R.
Bullerdiek. Gerry
Freihofer, Frank
King, Millard F.
Bradford. N. H.
Fischer, Martin
Blake. H. D.
Fox, Emmet R.
Lahue, Geo.
Sampson, Lewis Sherman. Samuel
Buckham. Wm. T.
Feighner, Jonas
Laney, John W.
Bowers, Geo. Brusha, Jacob M. Blunk. J. T.
Grebe, Rudolph
Livingston, A. H. Lahue, E. B.
Toliver, Thos. B.
Groh, Frank
Thompson, L. R.
Brusha, Samuel
Gutsch, E. O.
Massingale, Wm. H.
Buster, E. E.
Gallaher, W. W.
Massingale, A.
Todd, Green D.
Bischof, Wm.
Gordon, Wm. H.
Melvin, Geo. L.
Underwood, W. A.
Christian, R. E.
Hunt, John C.
McCartney, E. R.
Courtright, J. S.
Hartman, James
Melvin, Eddie
Vest, James
Colvin, W. R.
Heckart, Watson
Walkup, A. R.
Cheesman, John H.
Heckel, Henry C.
Oliver, Thos. H. Opp, Henry
Walkup, Daniel H.
Christian, Wm. T. Cheesman, Burt
Helmer, A. E.
Petry, Nick
West, Geo. D.
Cummings, Chas. E.
Hoon, John O.
Pitzer, W. W.
West, Joseph M.
Chaney, Albert R.
Heckel, Gus. H.
Pitzer, Robert
Williams, W. T.
Christian, Elmer
Hamilton, Temple
Raines, John W.
Watson, John W.
Durfee, Joseph
Walter, Geo.
Dean, Thos. A.
Kincannon, John F.
West, John C.
Dean, Jasper M.
Kemmerling, P. M.
Stapel, H. F.
Wymer. John C.
Deuser, Geo.
Kelly, Ernest
Schoenleber. Albert
Wymer, Wm.
Deuser, Wm.
Kemmerling, Dan. H.
Donovan, Geo. B.
King, Arthur
Sizemore, Fuel A. Schoenleber, John Shackelford, H. W.
White, Jesse V.
Eric' son, John P.
Kyler, Walter S.
Young, J W.
Present officers: Geo. B. Donovan, Noble Grand; O. P. Atkins, Vice Grand; Lynn R. Thomp- son, Recording Secretary; W. H. Gordon, Financial Secretary; Henry C. Heckel, Treasurer.
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Strickland, W. R. Simonds, Geo. Sutter, Win. Slemp, James Stapel, E. H.
Thull, P. H.
McCartney, J. J.
Taylor, Cecil
Gillilan, Geo.
Thompson, Richelien
Bradley, Dan. T.
Miles, L. J.
Buckham, Jolm E.
Gillilan, Clarence
Maupin, Ed.
Underwood, Dan. L.
Hogue, John F.
Worley, C. T.
Christen, P. A.
Henderson, Walter Houts, Win. L.
Watson, JJohn H.
Rinehart, G. O.
Rhoades. John A.
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ROCK PORT.
TO O give a complete idea of the starting of mutual insurance in Missouri we can do no better than to publish the "Farmers' Call" for organizing a mutual insurance com- pany, as it appeared in The Atchison County Mail of Sept. 19, 1885, as follows:
"Nothing is more detrimental to any county or community than a continual drainage of its circulating medium toward the money centers of the world.
"Self-government, self-reliance and self-management of many important matters tending in that direction are within the reach and duty of the people.
"Take the fire insurance alone in this county; there are, say for instance, two thou- sand farm dwelling houses in this county. Say they are insured at an annual cost, on the average, of $5 each, which we may deem entirely too low, and the result will be an annual drainage of cash from the county of $10,000, or every ten years $100,000; in twenty years above $300,000, at simple interest. We have conversed with an insurance agent who now thinks he has five hundred outstanding policies in the county, costing, on an average, about $4 each, annually, or $2,000 aggregate. This same agent says that he has followed the business about fifteen years and in that time the companies represented by him have actually paid out on policies in this county about $600. We are satisfied that by a united effort this thing can be avoided. Organize and carry your own insurance as you would unite to fight a destructive prairie fire or dyke against the overflowing water.
"The money paid out for insurance in this county in the last twenty years will build and equip a railroad all around the county; the money actually received from the compan- ies on losses will not pay half rates on the excursion tickets of our citizens for one trip to the St. Joe exposition. Another insurance man tells us he thinks P. R. Wagor's companies in this county have outstanding at least four thousand policies on farm dwellings. We think this is perhaps too high, but we will call it two thousand policies costing, annually, four dollars, which is low, and it amounts to eight thousand dollars annually taken out of the county every year to go into the coffers of the Eastern capitalist, who will loan it back to you for double in real estate security. Ten thousand dollars a year! More money
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MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ROCK PORT. (Continued)
thian insurance companies have paid on losses in the county, on farm property, during the history of the county.
"Farmers, think of these things! Get together and associate yourselves in the forma- tion of an incorporated company, to be known as "The Atchison County Mutual Fire Insurance Company." Elect officers annually from members who are citizens of your own county. Let the officers consist of five directors. Let these directors choose a President, Secretary and Treasurer for the company, with proper bonds. Let farm property be insured by yourselves at only two-thirds of its value. Let your losses be paid by an assessment made upon the outstanding policies, say upon the basis of one thousand dol- lars or any other sum as a unit of measure that the company, by its directors, may adopt. By this organization you will be able to save thousands of dollars annually; attend to the matter yourselves; pay all losses in cash in thirty days, without doubt, without legal advice, without lawyers, without an endless system of adjustment and compromise, with- out delay, and, best of all, when your property does accidentally burn down, insured at two-thirds of its value only, you will not be accused, suspicioned and prosecuted for burn- ing it yourself, until you and all your friends wish you had never heard of a foreign insur- ance company.
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"We have been talking this matter to some good business farmers in various localities throughout the county and are pleased to know they endorse it and will act upon it. We have tendered the use of the columns of this paper free in publishing the plans, proceedings and calls to this end, and are glad to know that a call for meeting of farmers, extensively signed, will be handed in in a short time. In the meantime it will be well to meditate upon the matter and discuss it among yourselves. You will meet with some opposition, but the very opposition you meet will prove the necessity of your organization, as it will
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MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ROCK PORT. (Continued)
doubtless come, if at all, from parties who are now making a fat thing out of the present drainage system.
"Remember the plan here proposed has been tried and it never yet has failed to secure the policy-holder perfectly and at the same time drive out all foreign companies and save thousands of dollars annually to the people."
"In accordance with the above, we, the undersigned, citizens of Atchison county, hereby ask that a meeting be called at the court house in Rock Port, on Saturday, Sept. 26th, 1885, at 2 o'clock p. m., the object of which is to organize a mutual home insurance
company.
Henry F. Stapel
Benj. Greer
C. E. Kennedy
Andrew Fox
Benj. Dragoo
Benj. Greer
Francis H. Price
J. J. Greer
John Garst
Richard Rupe
C. A. Christian
Wm. Mac Holliway
Timothy Whelan Chas. Uhlig
Wm. Hunter
Solomon Thompson
J. A. Steele
Geo. M. Shaver
G. Vohl
Henry C. Baker
W. A. Curry
M. L. Gilliam
Chas. Vogler
Thos. Holliway
J. F. Pierce
Thos. Angel, Sr
J. H. Walker
Herman Cooper
M. Hartman
Thomas Clark
Kirk McDaniel
C. E. Stebbins
John Cooper
Frank Shaver
Geo. F. Bixby
Sam'l VanGundy
W. H. Burks
Gerd Cooper
John M. Morrow
R. Mowery
I. N. Underwood
Rollins Taylor
Geo. Traub
J. B. Frede, Jr
John Seymour
D. J. Hendrick
J. R. Freet
C. F. Rapp
Wm. E. Hays
John Lockwood Thos. Mcllravy
W. S. Dragoo
S. D. Ohl
J. H. Rhoades
Patrick Hays
C. R. Rolf
N. J. Way
J. M. Dragoo
Sam'l May
Chas. Traub
H. Nieman
R. F. Estern
J. A. Campbell
W. H. Hindman
C. G. Howell
C. H. Payne
B. Bond
B. F. Reynolds
Fred. Tann
J. W. Shandy
J. M. Youell
John McCollister
Chas. T. Litherbury
Albert Bower
Fred. Marlatt
J. H. Curry
Wm. P. Watson
D. R. McDaniel
T. R. Wood
Jerry Evans
Henry Opp
D. C. Howell
Isaac E. Hill
H. C. Burnham
C. A. Holliway
Geo. F. Smith
W. S. Wood
J. L. Christian
W. A. Rupe
S. Millsap
John Hosfil
J. R. Neal
Geo. E. Farley
John Hunter
John A. Rapp
Rob't Hunter
Wiley Mann
E. Maupin
C. Stickerod
John Shaver
G. F. Muinch
John Morrow
M. H. Stouffer
George Steck
D. J. Green
G. L. Hughes
N. B. Vanlandingham John Knierim
G. W. Drake
M. F. Hackett
W. M. McAdams C. A. Christian
C. Deatz
J. J. McCartney
Sam'l H. Shackelford Robert Townsend
Joseph Drake
E. W. Taylor
And 150 others."
C. C. Dragoo
A. S. Kyler
Phillip Walter
W. B. Houts
R. C. Woodhouse
Joseph Waits
A. J. Ritter
B. McMahon
J. H. Davis
I. Pierce
O. G. Hale
Alex. Ely
Joe H. Young
Jesse B. Taylor
The meeting was held as per above call, and concerning this meeting The Atchison County Mail commented as follows:
"Farmers from different parts of the county met at the court house last Saturday to discuss the advisability of establishing an Atchison County Mutual Club of Protection in
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MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ROCK PORT. (Continued)
case of loss by fire on farm property. Speeches were made by several prominent men, from different parts of the county, and all the speakers were in favor of such an organization. The leading lawyers of Northwest Missouri state that farmers have the right to organize a club, in the shape of a contract, without depositing any capital in the state treasury, as some block-heads of this town have been trying to make some of ourfarmers believe. But the farmers of this county are not as thick-headed as some of these shysters thought, for they answered with such vim that it completely astonished that outfit. They told the shysters that if they wanted any advice from them they would let them know, and advised them to attend to their own business. The speakers took up about two hours in discussing the subject thoroughly, after which a committee was appointed, consisting of some of the leading men of the county, who are to draft rules and regulations for the proposed organization and publish them in The Atchison County Mail on Oct. 24th, so that all the farmers can see the plan and rules for themselves before going into the pro- posed organization.
"It was agreed, before adjourning, that the farmers of this county hold another meeting on the first Saturday in November, at Rock Port, to adopt the rules and regula- tions as they will appear in this paper when the committee has made its report in full and to complete the proposed organization. There were not as many farmers in attendance as was anticipated, but it was generally understood throughout the county that the first meeting was simply to take initiatory steps, and that the second meeting would be the proper time to attend, and, therefore, they only sent delegates from different parts of the county to attend the first meeting. We know the farmers of this county do not intend to reach down into their pockets, take off their hats ank kneel before these monopoly rings any longer, and we predict that nearly all the farmers will attend the next meeting, which is to be held on the first Saturday in November."
To note the progress of the mutual insurance movement we quote from a speech made by H. F. Stapel at Burlington Junction, Mo., on May 12th, 1891, at which time he
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MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ROCK PORT,
(Continued)
assisted in the organization of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Nodaway County, viz:
"At the request of some of your prominent people I came here to-day to talk to you about farmers' mutual insurance companies. I am always ready to sacrifice my own busi- ness when I can lend a helping hand to any reform that will save hundreds and thousands, yes, millions of dollars to the people of our state, hence I am here to-day.
"To begin with I cannot help remarking what a nice little city you have here, located on a pleasant site, in a grand county-in one of the best districts in the state, or in the United States, for that matter; and this district lias some of the best statesmen and best people of any country under the sun. A great many reforms, however, are neces- sary for the welfare of our people, but to-day we only consider one of them, and that is, 'How can we stop the sending of so much money to Eastern monopolies for insurance?'
"How much money do you suppose is sent from this Congressional district each year for insurance? As nearly as can be estimated, at least $10,000 from each county, or $60,000 from the district. How much money do you suppose the insurance companies send back to the people of this district for property destroyed by fire each year? The amount will not average $10,000. We pay out $60,000 per year to Eastern insurance companies for what purpose? Why, bless you, so we can receive $10,000 of our own money back again each year! Is it a profitable transaction to pay out six times as much as we receive? If the people of this district pay out $60,000 in one year, in forty years they would pay out over $2,000,000, and, at the same ratio, all the people in the state would pay out over $200,000,000, not counting the interest.
"What do the insurance men do with all their surplus money? My dear friends, they will let you have some of your own money back if you will give them three times tlie worth in security on real estate-your home, pay all notary fees, charges for abstract, for recording deeds, and for the paper on which your application is written as well as for your deed, and bind you to pay the cost of the execution against your property-your home, should you fail, by any chance, to meet the terms of the contract. Then, besides
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MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ROCK PORT.
(Continued)
this, you must insure again in an Eastern company-do all this before you can get one cent. And when you are thus bound hand and foot you can draw your loan, less the interest and commission, less the cost of abstract, cost of deed, notary fees, insurance fees, recording, postage, etc. Why, this is the same money drawn from you last year! It was once yours; you gave it to them; paid it to them to manage your business for you. Now they are managing.
"Now, my statements are not overdrawn; they are more than true. I challenge any man to make a public denial of any statement I have made.
"Well, what are you going to do about it? If you permit this state of affairs to continue a little longer you will have nothing to do with it. You can never stand the difference of outlay and income-this disparity of advantage and disadvantage.
"They (the insurance companies) cannot get rid of all this surplus on money loans on real estate. So what do we find? Last summer we went on an editorial excursion and committees from the boards of trade in various cities showed us the sights in which they took pride. We made it a point to ask the committee: 'Who owns the finest buildings in your city?' The reply in nearly every case was: 'Such-and-such Insurance Co. of New York.' But what is done with the rest of the money? If an agent for an Eastern com- pany comes to insure your home, say for $2,000, for a term of five years, charging, say $50 (and that is putting it very low,) what do you suppose the agent would get for writ- ing the policy? Why forty per cent., or $20 for a few minutes work! In our home mutual company we pay our agents only one dollar for writing any one risk. I know what I am talking about, gentlemen, as I have done business for foreign insurance companies, but I have never asked a farmer to insure in them, because I thought it would be stealing money from them. Now, what becomes of the rest of the money? What do you suppose is the annual salary of the Presidents of the Eastern insurance companies? Ten thousand dollars per year? Oh, no! But from $20,000 to $60,000 per year. It is reported, and has never been denied, that W. H. Beard, President of the New York Life, receives $60,000 per year, while $50,000 goes to each of two other officers. R. A. McCurdy, President of the Mutual, and H. B. Hyde, President of the Equitable, of New York, are each credited with $60,000 per year. Gentlemen, just think of it! The Presidents of the New York insurance companies get $60,000 per year, and the President of the United States gets $50,000! Is
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MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF ROCK PORT. (Continued)
it any wonder they charge such thieving rates for insuring your property when they pay such salaries as these?
"Nothing is more detrimental to any community than a continual drainage of its circulating medium toward the money-centers of the world. Self-government, self-reliance and self-management of any important matter tending in that direction, are within reach, and it is the duty of the people to grasp it, and to remedy one of these evils is why we have met here to-day.
"In Atchison county we organized a farmers' mutual insurance company in 1885, but did not commence business until last year, because the law seemed to be against us, and it took about five years to get the Legislature of Missouri to pass a law suitable to home insurance companies. We started to insure in April, 1890, and up to April, 1891, we had written over $200,000 of insurance, and had only two losses during the year, amounting to one mill on the dollar. At the present time we have over $300,000 of insurance. That amount of insurance in Eastern companies would cost our people sixty cents on the $100, or $1,800 on the whole. Our assessments the first year amounted to not quite $200, or a saving to the people of $1,600 the first year, and had there been an organization of the kind in one hundred counties in the state, at the same ratio the saving in the state would have been $160,000 in one year. We expect to have $1,000,000 of insurance in Atchison county inside of five years, and you can have $2,000,000 of insur- ance in your county, as you have twice as many people and twice as many farms.
"A few weeks ago we helped organize what is called 'The Northwestern Farmers' Mutual Tornado, Cyclone and Windstorm Insurance Co. of the 4th Congressional District of Missouri.' The company is growing very rapidly, and we are pleased to state that we have received several thousand dollars of insurance from your county, and we hope you will continue to send in your applications, for the six counties of the district can make a strong company for good.
"We have been told by agents of foreign companies that the home mutuals soon play out. For the benefit of those who may believe such lies, we quote from letters
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MUTUAL INSURANCE CO'S OF ROCK PORT.
(Continued)
received from parties in various states where home insurance has been successfully carried on for fifteen or twenty years. Listen to these statements:
"J. A. Trestrial, Secretary of the Lafayette Mutual Insurance Co., at Darlington, Wis., says:
"'Our company has been running fifteen years and we have had only eleven assess- ments, amounting to one mill on the dollar. We have about $1,500,000 worth of prop- erty insured. I think it one of the finest things the farmer can go into.'
"C. M. Stevenson, Secretary of the Roanoke Insurance Co., of Roanoke, Ill., says:
"'Total amount insured up to August, 1890, $922,816. Have made nine assess- ments in sixteen years, amounting to $5,547, which were paid promptly. We are satisfied with our work.'
"Fred. Shutte, Secretary of the Home Insurance Co., of Dearborn county, Indiana, at Farmers' Retreat, says:
"'The company was organized twenty years ago last September, 1890. Total amount of property now insured, $351,500. Total losses since the company began, $2,982.34. It costs but $10 to insure $1,000 worth of property for twenty years, or 50 cents per year.'
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