Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-05-20
Dean Richmond, His Son, and the
Dubuque Elevator.

A correspondent of the Chicago
Inter- Ocean writes the following i'm
teresting sketch of Dean Richmond
his son, and the Dubuque elevator
Among the other institutions OF
this city, and one which invariably
attracts the attention of the travel
er, whether he comes by river or
rail, is the large grain elevator near
the depot Of the Illinois Central Rail
way. There is peculiar history
connected with the structure, and
one which, in these times of rail-
way excitement, may not be unin-
terestiRg The elevator was bought
in 1860, by Dean Richmond, who
was one OF the magnates in the con-
troll of the New York Central Rail-
way. There has not been a bushel
OF grain in the elevator since 1868,
nor has there been a prospect of
there being any in it since that time.
But visitor at the premises will
find at all hours of the day work
men prepared to handle any grain
that may arrive. The boilers are
filled with water, and in the fur
naces underneath is kindling and
fuel ready to ignite at any moment.
The engine and all the machinery is
oiled for instant motion. The prep
arations are such as to induce the
belief that the prCprietors had only
stopped business for a day or two,
aud were about to start again. But
still tho years roll on, and smoke
never issues from the chimney, the
fires are never lighted, the steam is
never raised-only constant watch
ful readiness. There is a season for
this readiness, and for the silence
and inactivity which broods over
the place.
Dean Richmond had q son whose
habits and character were not en-
tirely in accord with his fathers
wishes. He would NOT hold pen
behind his ear, nor perch himself up
on & stool porting over the book in
the office, nor did he exhibit any of
the qualifications for a successful
bull or bear upon the stock mark
ct. The father lost confidence in the
son, and so strong became his dis
satisfaction that be eventually os-
tracised him. He was allowed to
labor and shift for his own means of
support. lie became conductor
upon his fathers railway. Mr..
Richmond told him that the least in
fractions of the rules of the compa-
ny would insure his immediate re-
moval, and especially was he warn
ed against allowing any person,
whether friend or not, to ride
without showing a ticket or pass, or
paying the necessary fare. lie had
been employed in this capacity for
some time and there had been no
complaints, when, one day, Dean
Richmond himself became a passen-
ger upon his sons train. The con-
ductor, while collecting tickets and
fares, came to the old railway mag
nate, when the following dialogue
| occurred
Tickets, sir ?"
"Iicket? Get out! am tho
President Of this road. | don't buy
tickets"
chat makes no difference. It's
against orders for me to allow any
body anybody to ride without he
pays bis fare, presents his ticket, or
shows pass. Come, hurry up"
"Well, sir you know who | am,
and you know that am entitled to
ride on this road free. | could make
out pass, but | havn't any blanks
1t is all right"
See here, old gentleman, it makes
no difference who you are give me
a ticket, show pass, pay me your
fare, or get off this train"
"Humph young man, you are
getting mighty arbitrary. If you
don't go on about your business, II
have you discharged"
The young conductor made no re-
ply, but gave a vigorous pull upon
the bell-rOpe. AS the train checked
its speed, and the father saw be was
about to be treated like other pass
engers, and was really liable to be
set down beside the track, midway
between stations, ho pulled out his
wallet and paid his fare. This littl,
episode gave him new insight int
his sons chracter, and be forthwith
commenced casting about him fol
some business occupation for him
The two while on a western trip
crme to Dubuque and the father pur
, chased the elevator for the son, anC
gave his check for the requisite t.
carry on the business.
But in connection With the pur-
chase was another transaction, il
which Mr.. Richmond and the Dubu.
que and Sioux City Railway wer,
the parties. The corporation wa
new and anxious to sell its bonds
In consideration of his purchasin.
$40, 900 of the bonds of the compa
; ny at Sl.023 the railway contract
ed TO send all through grain pasiul
, over their line into the elevator, ant
to pay one cent per bushel for TIT
, privilege. The contract was goot
one for the elevator, and by its terms
!, was to continue 10 force for fifteer
! years from August %, 1850. 1t was
also advantageous to the railway, TO
the seeming endorsement of theil
road by Mir. Richmond in his pur.
chase of their securities above pa
enabled them to sell all their bond
: in New York at a high figure. Tn
til the leasing of the Dubuque an,
e Sioux City Railway by the lllinoi
Central in 1867, the contract ha
] been carefully observed by the par
Z ties making ii. But after the frs