Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-15
How a Tug Engineer Became Mill
iOnaire.

DURING the late war father and two
sons entered the Third Pennsylvania cav
airy and served until the father ana one
son were killed and the surviving son was
sent home disabled. The father left an es-
tate valued at that time at about SoOO,OOo,
and from the time of his death until about
a month ago the estate has been IN litiga-
ton. During this time the survivor, Jas.
SHAY bv name, determining to fit himself
out for life. with commendable persever-
ance has learned the trade OF stOnecutter,
machinist and engineer, and during last
winter worked at Dundee, in this State,
~ ENGINEER in a mill Previous to his
leaving home at Philadelphia, however,
he placed tie securing of his portion of
his fathers estate, as his heir, in the
hands of a lodge of Knights Templar to
which his father belonged, with Charles
r. Miner, of Philadelphia, as special
counsel.
While at work in the mill at Dundee
Mr.. Shay became ambitious to add the
experience Of a steamboat engineer to the
record of his life, and last winter pro-
ceeded to Cleveland to secure an engineers
license. In consequence of an injury
received while in the army Mr.. Shay has
q very strong impeachment in his speech,
causing him to speak very slowly; and for
this reason he was unsuccessful in getting
his engineers license. From Clevelandhe
went to Buffalo, Erie and Toledo, renew
ing his applications and undergoing exam
nations, but without success; and the first
of last April he arrived i'll this city with
two dollars i'll his pocket and a railroad
ticket to Toledo He Immediately inter
viewed Messrs. Saunders & Cook, Steam
boat Inspectors at this port, was examined
by them and was told by them that he
had proved himself worthy license as
second engineer on high-pressure engine
or first engineer on 4 tugboat, and that if
he could secure such Il position they
would issue his license.
The cost Of license is So, which Mr.
Shay did not have, and so he informed
the Inspectors, promising to send the
amount within thirty days. Sympathiz-
ing with Mr.. Shay and admiring his per
severance, the Inspectors told him they
would issue his license and trust him for
its cost, and he departed for Toledo and
in less than week had secured a posi-
ton on the tug G. r. Hand. The coveted
license was made out at this port and sent
to him, and Messrs. Cook q Saunders re
corded the third license granted this
season to Toledo engineers where the APP
pIicant was trusted for the cost
The tug Hand was engaged at Toledo
in towing scows-tenders to the dredges
at work on the harbor improvements at
that portland Shay was in good spirits,
working faithfully, his license paid for,
and for the time being, as he says, Z" |
had given mighty little thought to what [
might or might not get from PhiladeI-
phia."
During the forenoon of Tuesday, June
1, Mr. Shay was at work in the hold of
the tug Hand, tightening the brasses on
the connecting rod, when the hatchway
above was darkGned and, looking up, he
saw Il smiling countenance peering down
at him, and hand encased reaching
toward him
6 James, think you may stop work for
a while,' said the intruder, and the voice
was recognized as Charles Miner, his
counsel
g got stuck on the CENTER" said Shay,
T J,,1+ told Ii, 7
would be on deck Immediately if he would
get out of the way. Covered with oil and
smoke | climbed out, and just as I 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 had to
do was to draw the money. You should
have seen those overalls come off, and the
way that wrench and my old cap spun
around on the deck was q caution. [
couldn't say anything, so l seated myself
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 a millionaire, prop
erty valued at over 100000 being in
the hands of the Knights Templar who
managed his case, ready for such DISPOSE
ton as he should see fit to order.
Returning, MI. 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, carrying
under his arm his license as engineer,
acknowledgements on a blue satin back
ground, and surrounded with massive
rosewood and gold frame. After receiv-
ing their congratulations and promises to
send him their photographs he started TO
see the city.
Happily Mr.. shay's good fortune does
not end here, as he expected to be married
on or about the 4th of July to a young
lady, the daughter of a 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 thatcity,
Il. I -