Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-01-05
JOHN W. GARRETT.

Georc Alfred Townsend has been wri-
ting for the Chicago Tribune some sketch
cs Of the wealthy men Of Baltimore
From his biography of John W. Garrett
We coud,nse the following:
He is thought to be worth two millions
of property, besides great prospective
wealth in coal lands and wood lands
The patcrnal grandfather of John W. Gar
rctt cmigratcd from the North of Ireland
to Cumberland. Pennsylvania. His ma
tcrnal grandfather was Henry Stoftr. n
PENNSYLVANIA German, who came II Bal
timorc in lISi Mr.. CARROTS father,
Robert, built up large business as a
merchant banker, and shiIlcr, in the
city Of Baltimore, and was rln0wNcl III
his day for commercial integrity anl en-
terprisc, and he founded the house Of Ro-
bert Garrett 4 Sons. The President was
educated at Princeton College, and he is
a ,'resbyteria2 like his ancestors.
John W. Garrett is large and corpu-
lent. though active. He has light gray
hair and small gray silc-whiskers, keen
blush gray eyes, rather sharp features,
ani an abundance of dimples. His ad-
dress is bland anl affablc. lie is a good
cItvcr>ati,nalist. and a persuasive speak
or. In early life he was even poet !:
and John =. Kennedy and other literary
men Of Maryland have been his warmest
associates. Though an obstinate AMI con-
servatiyc worshppcr of Maryland, and
particularly If Baltimore. Garrett broke,
at an early day, from his family trAdi-
,ions. which were Democratic, and acted
with the Wing party: still he is free
trader. He was ON equally intimate
terms with James Buchanan. Edwin VI.
Stanton. and Abraham Lincoln. Buch-
anan WI. = friend Of his father.
Simon Cameron had used all his perth
ngciou> jcsuitry to break up the Baltimore
road; had refused or blocked lis accounts
and nearly payaiyzcd it. He was perpet-
uallv striving to take advantage of ;he
nearly helpless relation of Maryland in
tc.c>ts 70 the political administration, in
order IL cxtort from the fears of Garrett
ia concession Of another railroad which
Cameron should control or possess. Gar
rctt's answer invariably was:
The people Of Maryland and the stock.
| holders of this road could have no respect
for me if entered into any private rela-
tions Of the kind YOU name.
Mr.. Lincoln was once appealed 10 by i
dcputaticn q. alleged Baltimore Republi-
cans to take the road out Of the hands oI
CARROTS corporation for pseudo political
reasons. Montgomery Blair was prevail.
cd upon TO intro duce the delegation, bu,
when he heard them begin their speech,
he said:
Il was unaware Of the objects of these
gentlemen, and | have been imposed
upon"
Never mind" said Lincoln. sit,
about as we'll. | am glad of chance tC
say something to these gentlemen. When
any or all of you have done half rs much
to aid this Government as John W. Gar.
rett, may consider your request"
Lincolr's relations with Garrett begar
with his election, y Len he sent an arpR
oowricr TO Baltimore to consult with th,
railroad President as to the safety ard
convenience of going through the town
] give the words OF lir Garrett in reply
without indossing his Judgment. shoagl
doubtless in was his CONSCIENTIOUS belief
"Tcll the PreSidcnt-eloct." he said
that We shall be proasrt. wc shall b
proud, to receive him aud welcome him
There Is no danger whatever l hav,
never been political character in my life
and dad not vote for Mr.. Lincoln but
will take my car and meot him at tn
Ohio river. and be responsible for his en-
ltersainmen, aud delivery at the capital
Instead Of going throaga the North, h
Ought TO go Through the South. and calm
the feeling there. IL he will ride ove
our road and stop at Harper's Ferry. an
right there. in the engiae-hcuse of Joh
lsrcwn, where the war began. make
is2eech Gr peace and Union, he viii 81