American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-11-03

that had touched it. There were but So
miles to finish and they were through
solid rock For 100000 he filled
the air with earth and stones, and in two
years the road was finished. The high
est honors were crowded upon him, and
the Chilenos made an idol of him. Peru
sought him, and he laid railroad lines
through swamps and mountains, and
storms, and earthquakes. His successes
were scarcely commensurate with his
prodigal style of living. The entertain
ment he gave on the completion of one
road cost upwards of 100000 in gold.
He chartered steamships and extended
roads to convey his guests to the ban
| quet. The nabobs of the Republic
looked upon his expensive habits with
wonder. His wealth was unknown, but
along the western coast of South
America he was called Monte Christie,
and he put the same energy into his
work that Edmond Dantes put into his
vengeance. His residence was the finest
in Peru, and his table ready for guests,
however unexpected and however nu-
merous.
Around Lima was dilapidated adobe
wall, and beyond the wall a weary prai-
RE of refuse. For an interest in the re-
deemed land he made the waste flow
er-garden. The stable product of the
Republic had been revolutions. Evolu-
ton in Office depended upon the financial
condition of the g outs.'' When their
Treasury was ruined they ousted the
Gins" who retaliated when they had
expended their steahngs. A stable Gov
eminent was necessary to Meiggs's
schemes. When the eouts" were I'M
poverishsd he gave them what they
wanted from his own means, and they
left the Government intact. He in
augurated a system of bribery that par
alyzed all opposition. A dangerous
man was to him a merchantable arti
Gle. When the combination became
too strong for him he bought the Gov
eminent.
By expanding fortunes he secured
contracts for building 1,0O7 miles o
roads, for which he was to receive 1926,
|
financial Waterloo. For the first time
he had miscalculated. They proved
failures, and, having absorbed tbs
contract price, forced him upon th'
market for money. His enemies seizeC
upon the advantage offered, and refused
to accept his bills, which became a drug
He bought the Government indorse
ment and staggered on. His bonds fel
on the foreign Bourses, and finally be
came valueless. The combination form
ed against him struck blow after blow
at his credit. Two strokes of paralysi
had weakened him, and third fount
him shattered and broken. Exposure
of his frauds came thick and swift. Hi
; creditors were clamorous, and the poore
were paid to the uttermost farthing. /
was plain to him that his fortunes hat
fallen beyond retrieving, and he turne'
away from the cares and troubles of
life remarkable for its incongruities, it
pleasures and anxieties.
He left Peru almost bankrupt through
schemes urged upon her as her saliva
, ton. His death has created financia
revolution whose effects will be felt afte
, his rails have rusted and his ties rotte,
away. In his life he taught peculia
lesson of sagacity, without moral bal
ance; of generosity, without an elemen
; of justice; of magnificent frauds bull
upon a foundation of fair dealing be
tween men.-ChicGQO Tribune.