The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-11-24
John W. Garrett. President OF the
Baltimore md Ohio Railroad Com


pany.
GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND has been
writing for the Chicago Tribune some
sketches of the wealthy men of Balti-
more. From his biography of JOHN W.
GARRETT we condense the following:
He is thought to be worth two mil
lions of property, besides great pros
pective wealth in coal lands and wood
lands. The paternal grandfather Of
John w. Garrett emigrated from the
North of Ireland to Cumberland, Penn
sylvania. His maternal grandfather
was Henry Stofer, Pennsylvania Ger
man, who came to Baltimore in 1884.
Mr.. CARROTS father, Robert built up
large business as a merchant, banker.
and shipper, in the city OF Baltimore,
and was renowned in his day for CON-
mercial integrity and enterprise, and he
founded the house of Robert Garrett d
Sons. The President was educated at
Princeton College, and he is Presby-
terrain like his ancestors.
John w. Garrett is large and corpu,
lent, though active. He has light gray
hair and small gray side-whiskers, keen
blush gray eyes, rather sharp features,
and an abundance of dimples. His ad-
dress is bland and affable. He is a
good conversationalist, and a persoua
sive speaker. In early life he was even
a poet; and John P. Kennedy and
other literary men of Maryland have
been his warmest associates. Though
an obstinate and conservative worship
per OF Maryland, and particularly of
Baltimore, Garrett broke, at an early
day, from his family traditions, which
were Democratic, and acted with the
Wing party; still be Is free trader.
He was on equally intimate terms with
Jamas Buchanan, Edwin NJ. Stanton,
and Abraham Lincoln. Buchanan was
a friend Of his father.
Simon Cameron had used all his peril
nacious jesuitry to break up the Balti-
more road had refused or blocked its
accounts and had nearly paralyzel it.
He was perpetually striving to take adj
vantage Of the nearly helpless relation
of Maryland interests to the political
administration, in order to eXtort from
the fears Of Mr.. Garrett concession Of
another railroad which Cameron should
control or possess CARROTS answer
invariably was:
"The people OF Maryland and the
stockholders of this road could have
no respect for me if | entered into any
private relations Of the kind you name.
Mr.. Lincoln was once appealed to by
a deputation OF alleged Baltimore Re
publicans TO take the road out Of the
hands Of CARROTS corporation for
pseudo political reasons Montgomery
Blair was prevailed upon to introduce
the delegation, but when he heard them
begin their speech, he said:
IL was unaware Of the object, OF
these gentlemen, and have been i'm
posed upon.
Never mind" said Lincolh tits
about as well. i am glad Of chance
to say something to these gentlemen.
When anv or all Of you have done half
as much to aid this Government as
John w. Garrett, ] may consider your
request. .-r. -.r.....-.
Lincoln's relations with Garrett be-
gan with his election, when he sent an
drant courier to Baltimore to consult
with the railroad President as to the
safety and convenience Of going
through the town. / give the words Of
Mr.. Garrett in reply, without indorsing
his Judgment, though doubtless it was
his conscientious belief:
"Tell the President-elect, he said,
that we shall be prompt, we shall be
proud, to receive him and welcome
him. There is no danger whatever. /
have never met a political character IN
my liie,and did not vote for Mt. Lincoln
but | will take my car and meet him at
the Ohio river, and be responsible for
his entertainment and delivery at the
capital. Instead o. going through the
North, he, ought to 60 through
the South, and calm the feeling there.
If he will ride over our road
and stop at Haper's Ferry, and
right there, in the enginehouse Of
John Brown, where the war began,
make a speech for peace and Union, he
will silence every brawler in the South.
understand that this message was dis
cussed, and that Cassius Clay, amongst
others, supported it; but other counsel.
prevailed. was never more surprised
. 10 nv life when Mrs. Lincoln and the
family arrived here quietly at the depot!
| to find the President had passed ahead
IN the dark. ] still entertain the belief