The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-13
IA Strange Suit.


eler, whether he comes by river or rail, is
the large grain elevator near the depot of
the Illinois Central Railway. There is a
peculiar history connected with the struct-
ure, and one which, in these times of rail
way excitement, may not be uninteresting.
The elevator was bought in 1860 by Dean
Richmond, who was then one Of the mag
mates in the control and management Of
the New York Central Railway. There
has not been bushel of grain in the eleva-
tor since 1868, nor has there been pros
pect of there being any in it since that
time. But visitor at the premises will
find at all hours of the day workmen pre-
pared to handle any grain that may arrive.
The boilers are filled with water, and in
the furnaces underneath is kindling and
fuel ready to ignite at any moment. The
engine and all the machinery is oiled for
instant motion. The preparations are
such as to induce the belief that the pro-
prietors had ouly stopped business for a
day or two and were about to start again.
But still the years roll on and smoke never
issues from the chimney, the fires are not
! lighted, the steam is never-only a con-
stant, watchful readiness. There is rea-
son for this readiness, and for the silence
and inactivity which brood over the place.
Dean Richmond had son, whose habits
and character were not entirely in accord
with his fathers wishes. He was allowed
| 70 loh nj e1, cO. |, 20 nf
support. He became conductor upon
his fathers railway. Mr.. Richmond told
him that the least infraction of the rules
of the company would insure his immediate
removal, and especially was he varied a.
gainst allowing any person, whet her a
friend or not, to ride without showing a
ticket or pass, or paying the necessary
fare. He had been employed in this capac-
ity for some time and there had been no
complaints, when, one day, Dean Rich
mond himself became passenger upon his
sons train. The conductor, while collect
ing tickets and fares, came to the old rail-
way magnate, when the following dialogue
occurred
Cricket, siri''
"TicEetP Get out 1 am the President
of this road. don't buy tickets"
''That makes no difference. It's against
orders for me to allow anybody to ride
without he pays his fare presents 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 you pass, but haven't
any blanks. You go on. 1t is all right. y
I" See here, old gentleman, it makes nc
} difference who you are give me a ticket
! show pass, pay your fare, or get off this
trainp'
Humphl young man, you are getting
l m ighty arbitrary. If you don't go OF
. charged"
The young conductor made no reply, bu
gave vigorous pull upon the bell-rOpe
+, AS the train checked its speed, and til,
: father saw that he was about to be treatet
like any other passenger, and was reall.
liable to be set down beside the track mid
way between stations he pulled his walle
Q and paid his fare. This little episode CAV
: him new insight into his sons character
|, and he forthwith commenced casting abou
for some business occupation for him. Th
: two, while on Western trip, came to Du
|, buque, and the father pun chased the eleva
: tor for his son and gave his check for til
Q requisite amount to carry on the business
u But in connection with the purchase wa
/" another transaction, in which Mr.. Rich
!. mond and the Dubuque and Sioux Cit
= Railway were the parties The corporatio
. was new and anxious to sell its bonds
~ In consideration of his purchasing 500, 90
, of the bonds of the company at 1,024 til
: railway contracted to send all throug
= grain passing over their line into the elevi
tor, and to pay one cent per bushel for tn
. privilege. The contract was a good on
: for the elevator, and by its terms was {
. continue in force for fifteen years from AT
. gust22, 1860. 1t was also advantageous I
= the railway, for the seeming endorsement
~ y, of their road by Mr.. Richmond in his pul
=" chase of their securities above par enable
70 them to sell all their bonds in New York :
: a high figure.
- Until the leasing of the Dubuque an
2 Sioux City Railway by the Illinois Contra
;s in 1867, the contract had been CAREFUL
n observed by the parties making it. b.
II after the first few weeks from the advei
"A of the new management no attention WI
a nd ba R.o,
u over the Dubuque, and Sioux City line WI
u "a