River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-08-15
A Noble Record.

In notice OF the death OF the lac
Hon. Robert Parker Parrot CORE
spondent of the Bedford (Pa) Enquirer
makes the following mention Of the deal
ings SIR. PARROT with the L. s. Gov
ernm4:.. during the rebellion:
He was the inventor Of the system OF
rifled 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
Plrrott thirty FOUNDERS mounted at Cum
minis Point was used against Charleston,
and withstood the extraordinary test of
being fired 1900 times before bursting.
In this connection we desire IN illustra-
ton, which we believe has not yet been
published, OF BIZ. PARROTS 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 thaf there were few exceptions
to the rule. With the opportunity before
him, tie alIUring bait of gold untold
within his power and grasp without The
aid Of Congressman and jobbers and
brokers, he 0vercame the Devil and main
tanned Iis honesty, integrity and patriot
ism by gdherIug strictly 10 his princip-
les.
The Parrott gun, OF which be 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. 4 friend
who was familiar with his business re-
monstrated with him upon the prices he
had fixed, sayiag that the U. s. would
have to procure an immense number Of
these guns. and were ready 10 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 III his quiet way, as he replied
that he had no desire to possess such ex-
traordinary riches, and il he had, would
rather not acquire them in that way.
Then, growing more serious, he added
that iii he were younger man he should
return 10 the army and do what he could
to aid his country, but thai at his age
and in his position he was denied the
opportunity of helping the Government
in that way. But IN THIS way" he said,
al CAN be of use, and do not intend
these guns shall cost the United States
any more than is absolutely necessary
AS iabor and iron went up he was COM
PEELED to alter his price, but the friend
above referred 10 expressed ms belief that
they were at no time equal TO those he
would have charged at the same time to
q private customer Yet the volume of
business was so great amounting to many
millions, that his small percentage of profit
necessarily increased his fortune verv
largely.
just before Lees surrender, a large
contract for these guns had be, coBclud-
ed with Mr. ParrOtt. He knew that the
sudden termination of the war must rem
der any additional supply of his guns un-
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 fill
his contract if desired, but at the same
time, If the United States should believe
it to be for their interest to annul 1t they
were at liberty to do so. 1t was cancell-
ed forthwith.
The profit on the last contract would
have secured to most of us a modest for
tune, but Mr.. PARROT thought no more of
thus cancclling it by a stroke of his pen
then ii it had been the simplest act OF his
daily routine of bus. ness. That he did
not undervaluc money was, however,
evident from the strict attention which be
gave TO economy in his works, and from
the simplicity of his personal habits He
wore a 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, a
church so aristically designed and thor
ougbly furnished that it seems to have
have been there for century.
In his visits To the Riddlesburg fur
mace he took great pleasure in mingling
with the humble workmen, making
himself one OF their number, as 1t
were so much 50 that his periodical adj
vent was hailed with joy hy all the en-
ployes, and his sudden and unexpected
demise is mourned by them in sincerity.
In mis- death the Kemble Company lose a
leader and manager that connot easily
be replaced, and Bedford County loses
the first pioneer in the development of
her vast iron resources. His name will
ever be held ia fond remembrance. Peace
TO his ashes