Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-24
ELM GROVE RAILROAD.
UNCLE DANIEL DREW.
Stories Told i'm Wall Street, and
the Wall Street Estimate of the


From the New York sun.
Daniel Drew was in many respects a
genuine. He was not only cool, eau
tious, crafty fnancier, but he had a
thorough knowledge OF horse flesh, and
could gauge the weight of a herd OF cat
tie at n glance. He was at home with
worldly men, many of whom learned by
bitter experience that the old man was
a match Tor the best Of them; but it was
among the ministers and church menu
hers that he shOne resplendently.
With soft voice, in language as free
from art as is soul seemed to be from
sin. and with a never-changing smile,
Uncle DaHl always carried his point
with professors of religion. lie gave
money to their churches, and built
houses of worship himself. His CONVEX
sation with the church folk was always
ON religious topics; but when he detect
ed in good brother an inclination to
reach out for the tlesh-pOts he gave his
advice, and the good brother did not
profit bv it. But Uncle Dan'l always
profited bv the good brothers credulity
and simple trust. About 1871 Daniel
Drew leased the old Bulls Head tavern,
M the northwest corner of Third avenue
and Twentv-iOurth street. He was
then only twenty-iOur years OF aye; but
he knew how To keep hotel. In the
rear of the house, which is still standing,
were extensive cattle pens, always pack
Ell with what the drovers' landlord call
cd "prime, likely critters; and here he
laid the foundation of his fortune. 1t
was here, according TO his own story,
that he "larned 10 swear 81 can't
bear profanity, young man, he said to
the writer about ten years ago. Il did
uster swear; but that was before the
grace o. God entered my heart and drew
line devil out. don't say IL in a proud
like way, but | believe I'm about the
only Wall street man that don't swear;
and | can't remember a railroad man or
steambOater that couldn't OutcuSS satan
himself. NV experience has teached
me that men what gives their hearts to
monev-makin' and leaves the Lord Tor
To SHIFT for himself always swear.
When Drew, Jay Gould, Eldridge and
James Fisk, Jr., were in exile IN New
Jersey. the reporter having some busl-
ness with the last named, called ut
Tavlor's hotel, and after great deal OF
trouble i'm passing the guard, was admit
tel 10 the presence. Fisk gave his visit
or a cordial greeting, and made him at
home in the front Parlor. After the
business between the two had been
satisfactorily transacted, the reporter
expressed a desire To meet Mr.. Drew.
Hello. Uncle Dan'l.' Col. Fisk
shouted. "COmn h,rS,you old sinner.
4 tall. well-built old gentleman, with
an innocent face, stepped from side
room and stood I'm the doorway.
"Weu, JcemS,' he said, IN Hute-Ilke
tones. what do YOU want?
''This gentleman wants YOU; don I.
I've had damn sight more to do with
YOU than was good Tor me-.
Then followed the introduction.
"Allow me To introduce Old Danl
Drew. the damndest hypocritical scoun-
drrl that ever sung a psalm or stole a
ham
'Jecms.' Uncle Dan'l here said, with
the suspicion of tremOr in his voice,
You oughu't to talk that way. III you
don't look out, your women and your
wuluritv will git You into trouble
With these words on his lips, the old
man walked back into his sitting-room.