The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-03-29
How a Steamboat Cook Became
a Millionaire.


The c umbus (Ga.) Enquirer says:
A paragraph that Mr.. King, of Texas,
the largest owner of cattle in the world,
has lately sent 30,0e0 cattle to the mar
ket and that 20 herdsmen were requir-
ed to take care of them, has caused
several river men to refresh their recol-
lections. From their remembrances
Mr. Kings career is a most remarka-
BILE one. 1t demonstrates what energy,
brains, economy and enterprise, adj
ded to chance luck, can accomplish,
though the beginning be the most un-
promising, and the least calculated for
hope of future success.
The name of this Texas millionaire
is Richard King. The river men call
him SMACK" He was born in New
York, and about the year 1910 came
from Pittsburgh to the Chattahoochee
River as a steward on the steamboat
Tallapoosa. We are told that in those
days and years after the average life of
steamers on our river was three to four
years, and that it was customary for
the captains, who resided in the West,
to carry their boats to Pittsburgh for
the summer for repairs, and return in
the fall. They received enough freight
on the round trip to pay expenses. 1t
was the era of large floating palaces,
side-wheelers, now superseded by light
draught stern-wheelers. There were
no railroads Every thing went to
Apalachicola, and the river men made
barrels of money.
Mr.. King in the position of steward
piled the river several years. One gen.
tleman remembers he was second cook
in 1913. Later he went to Tampa,
Florida, and in short time he was en-
gagged in service on Government boats.
Returning to Columbus, he became
striking pilot under Captains Charley
Brockway and Wingate. Altogether
he was on our river some seven or eight
years in very subordinate positions.
About the middle of 1916 he, with
Mr.. John Sealey and others, went to
Texas, and he became pilot on the
Rio Grande, on the steamer Corvette,
commanded by Captain Kennedy.
Engaging in speculation soon made
him partner. He bought ranch,
and, the property increasing year by
year, he now counts his stock by the
hundreds of thousands and his pos
sessions by millions. He owns mag
nifcent residence in Western Texas
and miles of the best land in the State.
He continues as a steamboat owner.
The poor steward of 80 years ago is
among the moneyed princes of theland.
Fact is more marvellous than fiction. He
has now large family, and is giving
his children the best of educations. Mr..
King is very kind, friendly and gener-
Gus to his friends of the ''days of yore."
One visited Texas since the war and he
gave him half fine steamboat, and all
he entertains with hOspitable well
come. They still call him ''Mack."
His wealth is estimated from two to
seven millions. He wrote one of his
friends since the war he had just fin
ished building fence 40 miles in
length, and that it cost him a thousand
dollars mile. Those who know say
cattle increase in value one-third every
year. Here is man of brilliant sue
cess. When on our river ne was not
noted for special economy, but had his
fun like the ''other boys" and spent
his money as freely. 1t is one of those
instances where brains and pluck see
their opportunity, take advantage of it,
roll up their sleeves, go in and win.
The opening was Texas, the. time the
Mexican war, the man found both, and
found there was millions init. He part
ly, though, drifted into enormous luck.