The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-07-08
sMisfeAa1teuus.
FORTUNES FAVORTTE.
A TUG ENGINEER Bee ONES A MIL
LIONALRE-HOW HEG0T
HIS FIRST LICNESE
ATTHLS CITY.
from the Detroit Free Press.]


During the late rebellion father and
two sons entered the Third Pennsylva-
MIA Cavalry and served until the father
and one son we're killed and the surviv-
ing son was sent home. disabled. The
father left an estate valued at that time
at about 100000, and from the time oi
his death until about month ago the
estate has been in litigation. During the
time the survivor, James Shay by name
determining to fit himselfout for life with
commendable perseverance has learned
the trade ofstone cutter, machinist and
engineer, and during last winter worked
at Dundee in this State as engineer in a
mill, Previous to his leaving his home
at Philadelphia, however, he placed the
securing of his portion of his fathers es-
tate, as his heir, in the hands of lodge
of Knights Templars to which his father
belonged, with Charles NJ. Miner, Of
Philadelphia, as special counsel.
While at work in the mill at Dundee,
Mr., Shay became ambitious to add the
experience of steamboat engineer to
the record of his life, and last winter
proceeded to Cleveland to secure an en-
gineer's license. In consequence OF an
injury received while in the army Mr..
S6ay has a strong impediment in his
speech, causing him to speak very slow
" and for this reason he was unsuccess-
fiji in getting his engineers license.
From Cleveland he went to Buffalo, Erie
ard Toledo, renewing his applications
and undergoing examinations, but with
ont success, and the first of last April he
arrived in this city with two dollars in
his pocket and railroad ticket to Toledo.
He Immediately interviewed Saunders
& Cook, steamboat inspectors at this
port, was examined by them, and was
told that he had proved himself worthy
a license as second engineer on a high
pressure engine, or first engineer on a
tue boat, and that if he could secure such
a position they would issue his license.
The cost of a license is five dollars, which
Mr.. Shay did not have, and he 80 inform
ed the inspectors, promising to send the
amount within thirty days. Sympathiz-
inc with Mr.. Shay and admiring his per-
seVerence, the inspectors told him they
wonld issue his license and trust him for
its cost, and he departed for Toledo and
in less than week secured position on
the tugG. R. Hand. The coveted license
was made out at this port and sent to him
and ,Messrs. Cook and Saunders recorded
the third license granted this season to
Toledo engineers where the applicant
was trusted for the cost.
The tug Hand was engaged at Toledo
in towing scows, tenders to the dredges
at work on the harbor improvement at
that port, and Shay was in good spirits
working faithfully, his license paid for
and for the time being as he says: II
had given mighty little though to what
| mig or might not get from Philadel-
During the forenoon OF Tuesday, June
1st Mr.. Shay was at work in the hold Of
the tue Hand, tightening the brasses on
the connecting rod, when the hatchway
above was darkened, and looking up he
saw smiling countenance peering down
at him, and hand encased reaching
towards him.
flames, l think you may stop work for
q while" said the intruder, and the voice
was recognized as Charles Miner, his
counsel.
II got struck on the CENTER" said Shay
when saw Mr.. Miner, but told him |
would be on deck Immediately if he wo'd
Get out of the way. Covered with oil
and smoke climbed out, and, just as l
was. not even giving me time to wipe my
hands, Mr.. Miner seized me by both
hands and told me that the case had
been decided in my favor, and that all 1
had to do was draw the money. You
shonld have seen those overalls come off
and the way that wrench and my old
can spun around on deck was caution.
I couldn't say anything, so l seated my
self on the bulwarks and looked at Mr.
Miner"
The result was that Mr.. Shay went to
Philadelphia with Mr.. Miner, found out
that he was in reality millionaire prop
erty valued over 81 100000 being in the
hands of the knights Templars, who
managed his case, ready for such DISPOSE
ton as he should see fit to order.
Returning Mr.. Shay stopped at Toledo
a day or two, and yesterday arrived in
this city. In the afternoon he visited the
office Of Inspectors Cook & Saunders,
carving under his arm his license as en-
oineer, handsomely mounted on a blue
satin background and surrounded with a
rnassiv, rosewood and gold frame. Af
ter receiving their congratulations and
promises to send him their photographs
he started to ee.the city.
Happily Mr.. Shay's good fortune does
not end here, as he expects tolbe married
on or about the Fourth of July to young
lady, the daughter of farmer who lives
near Dundee, and who when he went to
Toledo to work last spring, secured en-
ployment at Toledo, and together they
have been working and wooing in that
city, little caring and much less expecting
mat their wedding day would see them