New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-08-21
A Noble Record.

10 = o
spondent of the Bedford (Pa.) Enquirer
makes the following mention of the deal
ings of Mr.. Parrott with the U. s. Gov
eminent during the rebellion:
He was the inventor of the system of
rif1ed guns and projectiles bearing his
name He invented these guns and mis-
siles while in charge of the West Point
Foundry, and they were first introduced
in actual service at the battle of Bull Run.
July 81, 1861. They were exclusively
used by the Federal Army and Navy UNI
til the end Of the civil war. One of the
Parrott thirty Founders mounted at Cum
Minis Point was used against Charleston,
and withstood the extraordinary test of
being fired 4,606 times before bursting.
In this connection we desire sn illustra-
ton, which we believe has not yet been
published, of Mr.Parrott's noble charac-
ter. During the war the rule was that
every body should pile up wealth as fast
as he could, regardless Of business prin-
ciples or conscientious scruples, particu-
larly SO long as the Government was the
debtor, and history painfully reminds us
of the fact that there were few exceptions
to the rule. With the opportunity before
him, the alluring bait of gold untold
within his power and grasp without the
aid OF Congressman and jobbers and
brokers, he overcame the Devil and main
tanned his honesty. integrity and patriot
ism by adherlng strictly to his princip-
les.
The "Parrott gun, Of which he was
the inventor, and which to-day bears his
name, was tested in the first battles of
the war, and found so serviceable that it
was Immediately adopted by the Govern
ment, ami they were ordered for the
Army as fast as they could be manufac-
tured at Mr. PARROTS works. A friend
who was familiar with his business re-
monstrated with him upon the prices he
had fixed, saying that the U. S. would
have to procure an immense number Of
these guns, and were ready to pay what
ever he chose to ask-that here was an
opportunity which could never occur
again to acquire such fabulous wealth.
This friend reports that Mr.. Parrot
smiled in his quiet way, as he replied
that he had no desire to possess such ex-
traordinary riches, and if he had, would
rather not acquire them in that way.
Then, growing more serious, he added
that "if he were younger man he should
return to the army and do what he could
to aid his country, but thai at his age
s.nd in his position he was denied the
opportunity of helping the Government
in that way. But IN THIS way" he said,
81 CAN be of use, and do not intend
oh fho IrS&
any more than is absolutely necessary
AS labor and iron went up he was COM
PEELED to alter his price, but the friend
above referred to expressed his belief that
they were at no time equal to those he
would have charged at the same time to
private customer. Yet the volume of
business was so great, amounting to many
millions, that his small percentage of profit
necessarily increased his fortune very
largely.
Just before Lees surrender, large
contract for these guns had bee conclud-
ed with Mr.. Parrott. He knew that the
sudden termination of the war must rem
der any additional supply of his guns IN
called for. He had no wish to further en-
himself by making guns for which the
United States could have no possible use,
and which would have no greater value to
them than old iron in times of peace, and
he accordingly wrote to the Department
at Washington that he was ready to ill
his contract if desired, but at the same
time, if the United States should believe
it to be for their interest to annul it they
were at liberty to do so. It was cancell-
ed forthwith. a ..H
The profit on the last contract would
have secured to most of us modest for
tune, but Mr.. Parrot thought no more of
thus cancclling it by stroke of his pen
then il it had been the simplest act of his
daily routine of business. That he did
not undervalue money was, however
evident from the strict attention which he
gave to economy in his works, and from
the simplicity of his personal habits. He
wore patch on his boot whilst he was
spending one hundred thousand dollars
IN building one of the most beautiful
churches on the banks of the Hudson, 8
church so aristically designed and thor.
ougbly furnished that it seems to have
have been there for a century.
In his visits to the Riddlesburg fur
mace he took great pleasure in mingline
with the humble workmen, making
himself one of their number, as i
were; SO much so that his periodical ad
vent was hailed with JOY by all the EN-
ployes, and his sudden and unexpected
demise is mourned by them in sincerity
In his death the Kemble Company lose
leader and manager that connot easily
be replaced, and Bedford County lose
the first pioneer in the development 0