Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-05-31
Hartford Fire Insurance Co.


Hartford Fire Insurance Co.
What can be done and what ought
to be done by fire insurance com
pany, are better demonstrated by the
example OF the "old Hartford" than
by the most elaborate calculations,
and ingenious theories. In. "times
that try mems souls" an example of
great and permanent success attained
BY strict adherence to genuine
principles, Is more beneficial and en-.
coursging than the eloquenee of ali
orators in the world. II any mans
faith in fire insurance wavers, let
him study the reco.d of the "old
Hartford and take courage. In the
year lsl0 this Company threw down
the gauntlet to the demon Fire, and
has ever since stood like a bulwark
OF iron between the destroyer and its
victims, without yielding an inch
II has waged no fruitless war, for it
has grown in strength and statue
every year till its proportions have
been gigantic. IL started with q
capital Of Sl50, 900 and has since ad-
ded TO its substance BY its honest
earnings to an extent that has ex.
paaded this amour: to o round mil
hon in cash. Great as are its liabili-
ties, its surplus exceeds them Ey
over half million of dollars, and if
British insurers, who profess toad
mire soliditY above. all things, re-
qmre model for tnefr Imitation,
since their own idols are falling from
their pedestafs, swe~reeommen6 the
old Hartford to their impartial con
sideration.
The probe and lancet of the sur
geon are not more effective in their
treatment Of bad cases than the year
1865 proved to be in laying bare the
weakness and corruption of inflated
Insurance concerns, but it has also
demonstrated the soundness and ex-
ceilence OF other companies beyond
doubt and cavil. The Hartford met
the fiery issue fairly, accepted risks
amounting to more than Sl02, ,0O0,-
uOO--in return received an income
exceeding S1,000,0O0-marked of
$4,000 for depreciation upon its in
vestments, and having made actual
gains for the year of over seventeen
per cent. upon its capital, divided
$780, 900 among its stockholders and
now exhibits a slight diminished sur
plus still exceeding the magnificent
sum Of half million of dollars.
The ready sale which the stock of
the ''old Hartford" commands, even
At S205 for shares of 800 each, IS
the most substantial evidence of the
high estimation in which this Com
pany is held by the public. and this
name and prestige have been well
earned. for we are informed on the
best authority, that 1t has returned
TO its stockholders, in dividends,
over $50 per cent. upon the capital
stock, or an average of l04 per cent.
per annuIn.
We take pleasure in holding up
this time-honored institution as a
model, because the principles and
practice by which it has attained to
eminence are simple, safe, and uni
versally applicable to insurance. In
the first place, its officers are men
who have been selected on account
of their acknowledged ability, pro
found experience and indisputsble
integrity. In the second, they have
confined themselves to their duties
and refrained from outside speculs-
lions. Thirdly, the Company's 700
agencies are PLACED under the s1per-
tendence of superior minds.
: Lastly its officers write
on no risk of which they entertain an
indefinite idea and for which the
Company does not receive fair and
compensating rate of premium. The
strict regard which the Hartford has
paid to these business regulations
and principles has made it the fore
most fire insurance company in the
land, and no other insurance eorpo-
ration can become permanently great
which fails to observe them.