The Octopus, A Story of California & The Pit, a Story of Chicago

Collected in one binding are The Octopus and its sequel The Pit. The Octopus is a story of cooperate greed, power, and abuse. A group of wheat farmers agree to work a railway company's land in exchange for assurances that after a ten year period they will be able to purchase the land at a reasonable price. When it comes time for the purchase of the land the railway company decides to go back on its promise and brings all of their power to bear against the farmers in a deceitful and bloody confrontation. Inspired by Southern Pacific Railroad's action in the Mussel Slough Tragedy. The Pit: a Story of Chicago is a story about corruption, greed, and redemption. Curtis Jadwin a rich and powerful capitalist decides to corner the market on wheat ignoring the misery and pain that this attempt will bring on those who need the crop to survive. Ultimately he has no idea how much this attempt will cost him and what it will take to find redemption.