The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-07-30

similarly employed and undistinguish-
ed. What has raised Asa Packer so
for above the throng of which he then
was but a unit? Observing the char
acter of the country, the almost inn
measurable extent of the coal deposits,
and the diversity of the rich produc-
tions of the Lehigh Valley, he foresaw
the establishment of these extensive
colIeries of lines of transportation,
and all the immense traffic which.time
developed. Here was field for the
highest intelligence and the most un-
tiring energy. Accordingly. in the
spring of 1888, when he was twenty
seven years of age, Asa Packer left his
farm in Susquehanna County and per-
manently settled himselfin the Lehigh
Valley,
His advent into region in which he
was destined to accomplish so much
made no stir. He brought to the new
| field but few hundred dollars. His
capital lay in his active mind, stout
heart, and strong arms, and in indus
| trious and thrifty habits. His first and
second summers were employed in
boating coal from Mauch Chunk to
Philadelphia, in which he acted as
master af his own boat. The energy
which he displayed in this occupation
brought him to the notice of the Le-
high Coal and Navigation Company,
and he formed connection with the
company, which was maintained for
many years, greatly to his advantage.
He induced his brother, Robert Pack
er to join him, and assisted by some
capital from his uncle, Daniel Packer,
they engaged in general merchandise
in Mauch Chunk, under the firm name
of A. q r. w. Packer, with capital
| of $1,000. The most of this money
had been saved by Asa Packer from
| the hard earnings of former years.
The new house entered, from the mo-
ment of opening, upon an extended
| and profitable business. 1t soon be-
came known by its large tranactions
both on the Lehigh and Schuylkill
rivers. Its operations on the Lehigh
during the fifteen years between 1885
and 1850 embraced large mercantile
business at Mauch Chunk: contracts
with the Lehigh Coal and Navigation
Company, which involved the build
ing Of dams and locks on the upper
navigation; working coal mines leased
from the company, and afterward Mr..
| Packers own mines near Hazleton,
and shipping coal to Philadelphia and
New York. A similar shipping busi-
ness was also done by them on the
| Schuylkill. They were the first
through transporters of coal to the
New York market, and it is 81 fitting
! return that the business should still
continue to be the largest item in the
income of Asa Packer, its protector
Through his coal mining operations
he was brought into close relations
with the late Commodore Stockton,
and between them there sprung up a
warm friendship-a friendship which
proved of great value to Mr.. Packer at
| a trying moment when pushing for
ward to completion the great enter
prise of his life, the Lehigh Valley
Railroad.
Up to the year 1860 the transporta-
tion of the coal of the Lehigh valley to
market had been altogether by water,
but the business had now reached such
a magnitude, as in Mr.. Packers
judgment to justify the building of
railroad along the banks of the Le-
high River. Accordingly, he urged
upon the Lehigh Coal and Navigation
Company the policy of building rail-
road as a part of their system of trans
portation. But the project was not
favorably received by the Company.
Experience, it was answered, had
proved that coal and iron would only
pay water freight. The Reading Rail-
road, which enjoys unusual facilities in
grades and water connections, was in
stanced to clinch the argument. Asa
Packers opinion however was not affec-
ted by this adverse criticism Of his pro-
position, and he determined to take
the matter personally in hand. The
ground for railroad in the Lehigh
Valley was embraced in a charter for a
road Of much greater extent, protected
by that great Pennsylvania fnancier,
Edward r. Biddle. 1t was embraced
in the charter of the Delaware, Le-
high, Schuylkilland Susqueh annah
Railroad Company, incorporated A
pril q, 1876. The first survey was
made in the fall of 1850. Not until
the 4th of April, 1851, seventeen days
before the cnarter would have expired
by its own limitation, did Asa Packer
take his place in the board of mana
gers. On the same day the board
sanctioned the grading of a mile of
railroad near Allentown, and thereby
the Limitation was avoided. On the
30th of October, 1851, Mr.. Packer be-
came owner of controlling portion of
the stock, and subsequently submitted
a proposition to build the road from
Mauch Chunk TO Easton, distance
OF forty-six miles, for consideration
to be paid in the stock and bonds of
the company, the name of which was
now changed to the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company, to suit its extent
and true field of work. Mr.. Packers
proposition was accepted, and he COM
menced work in November, 1851. Un-
der his personal supervision it was
push ed with great vigof. AS he re-