Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-03-02
WEBSTER WAGNER.
The Richest Man Ever Killed in a
Railroad Disaster.

| ne ntCneSI wan ever NiIISQ IN
Railroad Disaster.
New York Correspondence Cincinnati Gazette
Webster Wagner was the riches
man that ever became the victim of
railroad accident. He was also tn
most influential and important, at least
In the manipulation of capital ant
patronage. Like most of our grea
men he sprang from an humble con
dition, for his family, though highl!
respectable. was poor. He Learned
wagon making, to which was addel
chairs and common furniture, and thii
business he carried on for many year!
at Palatine in partnership with hi,
brother James. The latter was a poe
manager, and though "Web" (as he wa.
called) worked hard, the shop proved
a failure. Then he got job at ST.
per month, with privilege of living VI
stairs, and to exc out a living he open
ed an eating room, where oysters wer,
served at ten cents plate. He wa
so active that his wages were raised
and his duties increased until he wa.
made station-agent-an uneviable of
flee, worth $50 per month. He was
highly esteemed and popular as rail
road man, but while attending to his
regular duties he had his mind bent
on Improvement. He noticed that some
of the railroad employees when return
ing home would often lay boards on
the seats and go to sleep. This led tc
the idea of arranging berths, and the
result was the sleeping-car. The first
sheets were made by his wife, who
was remarkable helpmeet.
The old-fashioned fat-roof cars were
then in use, and as the ventilation was
not sufficient for the upper tier of
sleepers, he invented the raised panel
with side ventilators, a method which
is now in universal use. He patented
this panel and sold the patent Teserv-
ing his own right) for $4,000, las he
told me), which was his first stroke of
good luck. The patronage which the
sleeping car enjoyed was divided with
the railway emagnates, first Corning
and then Vanderbilt, and eventually a
company was formed, in which Van
derbilt had the lions share, but as
Wagner had the remainder it was
enough to make him millionaire.
Webster Wagner not only proved
himself an original and successful in
ventor, but also man of great execu-
tive power. His abilities were devel-
oped as the exigencies of businers re-
quired until he became the center of
an immense system. Vanderbilt found
him a judiciOus counsellor, and hence
he not only loses friend but feels a
serious blow to his position as railway
king. Wagner was very quiet man,
but beneath his reticence concealed
great decision as well as deep judg-
ment. He never was led by success
into speculation, but limited his atten-
tion to that speciality which gave him
fame and wealth. He never was in
fiated by success, but remained to the
end plain business man, just as he
was whel he tended station at $50 per
month. He made money rapidly and
invested it judiciously, and among his
latest purchases was some valuable
property in Madison avenue. He also
purchased a few weeks ago a house
with fine grounds at PalatiRe, no doubt
intending it for a country seat for his
last married son-in-law. The rapidity
of transit enabled Wagner to call Pala-
tine his residence while his business
center was New York. Though the
distance is 200 miles, it is but six
hours ride, and after he had taken a
berth in one of his own cars at 10 D.
m, he could sleep till wakened by the
porter at the home station. He had an
elegant house and farm at Palatine. and
was upon the whole, as well situated
as any man in Central New York, but
alas! death has suddenly left him only
name-at the same time giving a new
and terrible lesson of the uncertainty
of all earthly affairs. Many changes
will no doubt follow, and hence his
death throws all his subordinates into
state of uncertainty.
At the time of his death Wapner's
operations had reached an extent which
is really surprising. The sleeping and
palace cars already number 1000, and
were gradually crowding off the Pull.
man interest. When this terrific blow
occurred Vanderbilt had made special
effort to have them introduced on ey.
cry line that he controlled. Wagner
had also been successful in his nego
tiations with Jay Gould. The latter
had given the Wagner cars preference
on the Wabash line, and Iron Noun.
tain would have been the next exteri.
tion. Enjoying in this manner the
patronage of both of these railway
kings, Wagner's prospects were of Tho
grandest character. Had he lived three
years longer his income would have
been a million year. His system
was one of admirable perfection. Eacf
conductor is obliged to send in a daily
report, and also one at the close of tht
month, and these are carefully com
pared. Every detail is brought to 8
high degree of perfection. The mer,
item of washing amounts to $1OO,OO(
year, and an extensive steam.laundr,
is in operation here, and also another il
Boston. Each laundryman finds this :
profitable job, and had Wagner livei
he would have probably established
another in St Louis. He was a clos,
man and went in for making all b,
could, but at the same time was read,
to respond to the claims of charity
His deed of benefcence, however
though not often mentioned, were b,
no means proportionate to his grea
wealth. When a man has an incom
of 81, 600 day handsome degree O
generosity may reasonably be expect
ed. Wagners daughters, who are nov
married and live in splendid style
were born in the upstairs" of Palatin
station-house, and perhaps it is thi
memory of long life of mutual strug
gle which renders the death of he
husband so severe blow to the un
fortunate widow.
| The sad fate of Webster Wagner Re
calls our attention to that strikins
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