Part 3, Chapter 35 Summary

In 1978, the town of Clanton learned it would be the next site for a "big box" Bargain City store. Most of the townspeople were happy, but when the neighbors protested a public hearing was held. Willie spoke at the hearing about other towns where Bargain City stores had gone in. Their downtowns and small businesses went out of business. He was in the minority, however, and the city council voted unanimously to approve the store. Willie wrote editorials in protest, but accepted the ad revenue from the store. Not long after the store opened, small downtown stores began to close down, just as he predicted.

One day in March of 1979, the representative of a larger publisher visited Willie. They wanted to buy his paper. After checking him out, Willie opened his financial books. His paper was valued at $1.2 million. Willie couldn't...