The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-10-23

tstreet, under the firm name of St. John g.
Drew. The principal business Of the
firm at first was dealiag in uncurrent
money, which they were able to buy at
discount of two or three per centum.
They held it until favorable opportu-
nifty to sell came. In this business he
had an opportunity which other dealers
did not enjoy. as he was largely patron
lied by cattle dealers with whom he had
formed an acquaintance when he con-
trolled the Bulls Head Hotel. These
men would accumulate considerable un-
current money in their wanderings,.
which Drew would purchase, and he
generally did so, it is said, so as to make
very fair profit on the transaction.
In fact, it is said that Mr.. Drew began
the business of specializing several years
before he went into Wall street. About
the year 1880 he became the proprietor
of the Bulls Head Hotel, which was pat
ronlzed almost exclusively by cattle drov-
ers whose business was to drive cattle
from the western part of the state to this
market. From tine time he was sixteen
this business himself and now entertained
many Of his former associates as his
guests. While he was proprietor Of the
Bulls Head he began his career as a
broker, buying up the claims of the drov-
ers, who, to avoid the delay and expense
of a weeks sojourn in the city before
they could collect their bills, Swere glad
to sell them at small discount.
One old broker on the street to day re-
lated an anecdote which shows the cbarac-
ter men had to deal with in Daniel Drew.
It was when he was director in the Erie
Railway Company, and the Atlantic and
Great Western Company was seeking by
all means to sell out to Erie. Sir Morton
Peto-who was one of the directors of
the Atlantic and Great Western Road
had made speech before the Erie dircc-
tors, urging upon them the necessity of
purchasing this western connection, and
grew so warm that he dictatorially de-
manded that the purchase should be
made. Mr.. Drew had been sitting near
the table. with his head resting on his
cane. After waiting moment to see if
any Of the other directors spoke, he arose
and said, in his peculiar vernacular:
Mr.. Chairman, think it about time this
meeting adjourned. didn't come here
to be dictated to by Sir Morton Peto nor
no other sir. move this meeting stands
adjourned sine die," and the motion was
carried.
Mr.. Drew was spoken Of by every one
| with whom the reporter spoke this morn.
ing as liberal hearted man, and one
who was very generous to poor man or
one in misfortune. It was said that one
Of his ne1ghbors executed a mortgage
on his farm in Drew's favor. Misfortunes
overlook him and he was unable to meet
the interest, but ''Uncle Daniel" never
pressed him. He was always ready for
! contest with any one well provided with
this worlds goods, and was never happier
than when he succeeded in getting the
! best OF speculation.
Daniel Drew never kept any books of
his business. In fact, his early education
had not fitted him for it, but he carried all
his figures in his head, and his accounts
were always kept very straight. One
time, however, he disputed note. He
was then doing his business through the
Manhattan Company Bank. A note for
$4,000 was received through another
bank for collection. The funds IN the
Manhattan Company bank to Mr..
Drew's credit lacked small amount
of this sum. He was requested to call at
the bank, and when he did so was shown
the note. He said tho signature was not
his. "He never gave no such note" A
messenger was sent to the bank from
which the note was received, and the man
who presented the note was found. The
messenger returned to the bank with
this man, who said to Drew, "Don't you
recollect, Mr.. Drew, you gave me that
note for some gas shares?" ooh, yes, so I
did," said Drew, who had in the mean
while declared to the bank officers that
the only note he had out was one given
to a Methodist friend of his for some gas
stock.
1t was said that Daniel Drew was con-
verted and became a member of the
Methodist Church.. Early in life gen.
tleman who was intimately associated
with him in business told the reporter of
the Evening Post than Daniel Drew was
converted about forty years ago under
the preaching Of Elder Knapp.