The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-09-05

i'll the spring Of 1888 established what has
ever since been known IS the Sligo Iron
Stone-for the sale Of iron manufactured
by Lyon, Shorb a Co, a the Sligo Roll
ing Mil in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For some years he furnished this market
with the greater part Of the boiler plate
Jpn for steamboats,.
When the owners of the iron mountain
property in Missouri in 1912 concluded
to erect furnaces at the iron mountain, he
was solicited to GO there and take an in
terest in the property, and superiItend the
works. He had to decline the generous
offer, because he knew the first effort made
TO deyelope that rich and valuable de-
posite Of iron, would result in financial
failure. and that he would wear out the
remainder Of an active life for no purpose
but the benefit to the State in the future.
He however furnished the owners Of the
Iron Mountain property an elaborate and
detailed written statement, giving che mum
Der, locality and products Of the various
iron works in Pennsylvania, Ohio aud
Kentucky; the yield ard quality Of the
iron made, and his views regariing the
management Of works in Missouri, giving
the details in all the multitudinous matters.
His action in that regard was highly ap-
preciated by the owners OF the Ireu TrUuu-
tain property, but was very displeasing to
his partners, Lyon, Shorb a Co. IN Penn
sylvania.
When he established the iron house IN
st. Louis, he was the owner Of one-half Of
the stock, and Lyon, Shorb 4 Co., the
other half. The business was Conducted
in his name alone, however. He. gave in
formation which enabled the Iron Noun
tain owners to proceed with the aid OF his
experience in building up rival
This act was regarded by his. partners
With jealousy, but to the men who were EN-
barking in 50 vast an enterprise+one that
would develop the resources Of the State
-rlsking their fortunes, he regarded his
| du5y AS a citizen Of the State to give what
aid he could in the way Of information, &c.
! His course led to a separation, with the
firm 1T Lyon, Shorb 4 Co., 1888, In l843
he furnished the capital to build the first
marine railway docks, that proved sue
cess, north Of the Allegheny Mountains.
! The docks were erected on the river bank
| In the upper part Of the city, and went in
\ to operation in the spring Of 1874. The
plan was fully tested, and proved ! success.
! The high foods Of l844-5 destroyed the
ways-a bar of a quarter Of a 1ile-but
having demonstrated the excellence Of the
plan-other marine railways we're erected
on the Ohio river at Paducah, Madison,
! Cincinnati. SteubenEille and Pittsburgh,
and on the Mississippi at Carondolet. The
machinery of his ways was taken to ROCK
! Island, Ills
After the ways we're destroyed there wa'
a great demand for Steamboat hulls in St
Louis. In l845 he contracted for anC
built four boat-hulls, and 1S467S bull
a number Of steamboat hulls.
V Ia l845 there was offered at public sal,
a tract of sixteen arpents of land, fronting
on the river-w which he purchased at wha
vas considered 4 low rate, but what esery
body else thought he might as well hav'
thrown the money in the river. NG ON
would bid against him-his experience IL
, Pennsylvania as a surveyor anC knowl
edge Of the land laws enabled him TO knO'
the exact State Of the location and title.
But he was informed that those who ha'
been holding possession paid no heed 7
legal titles They possessed great wealth
great social and political influence; the
had driven every person who had set u
the legal title, away by force, and he wa
to be treated IN the same way, aud readll
disposed Of This was contrary to his idea
Of business But it was not long after h
made the purchase and recorded his deed
until he was set upon by armed men. h
boat-yard mobbed, his saw mill burne
down, and he was driven from the land b
force too powerful to reslst, and h
reputation was assailed in the newspaper
and in society, everywhere, As a land-stea
er. as one who had but little se-SS. AnN a
that Their money commar led the pies
and thus great wealth made public oPlrhoI
He resorted to the litigation OF Lag ]
l847, and the case was not ended AMI
1873 in regard t. the titles, and is ct
pending in regard TO the damages
1t was the sult II MAgwire a Tyler
= ported in four vi she volumes Il the pnl
. ed States Supreme Court reports III
case was argued eight times before the >
Irene Court If the United States, and !
g equal number ef times before the LaI
a Department at Washington, and has 5c'
. tried As many times before the llterI
and Supreme Courts Of Missouri Il
!, parties opposing his clasm-stated befo
the U. S. Supreme Court that they pad e
3 pended over 500, 90 in! !snoney in c&ryi
d ON the htigation, and isits for dsmas
= and back rents reRAlp pending gan
them for S27O, 100, ana which thay u
: taiDly tA be Obliged 70 pay. Of toul
!, Mr.. Ms expenses have been large, And
d far from it being gain eohim, hecould hs