The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-01
CAREER OF C. p. HUNTINGTON.

only buys but builds the greatest OF |
railway lines. 1t will, no doubt, in
terest the people of Texas to read a
sketch of this wonderful man. The
following is taken from the Railway
Age:
Mr.. Huntington was born on the
22d of October, 1921, at Harwinton, in
Litchtield county, Connecticut. He
comes of a lineage which counts
among its noted men Samuel Hunt
ingtOn, one of the signers of the dec
laration of independence, president of
the Continental congress and governor
and chief-justice of Connecticut;
Bishop I. ID. Huntington and the
painter, Daniel Huntington. Mr..
Huntington's father was a farmer
and manufacturer, depending on his
own labor for pocket money.
When young Huntington was four
teen years of age he left school and
asked his father to give him his
time" on condition that he should
thenceforth support himself. A proof
of the confidence which the boy in
spired in those who knew him, that
not only did his father consent to this
proposition, but when he came to
New York, at the age of fifteen, he
was able 10 obtain credit for a small
purchase of goods with which he be-
gan his career as a merchant, a coun-
try neighbor of his fathers not only
vouching for him, but saying, You
may send me all of Huntington's
notes; he is sure to pay" When
about twenty-three he settled at One
onta, Otsego county, New York. as a
general merchant.
Soon after, in September, 1874, he
b vi got on well enough in business to
Chink of settling himself in lite, and
he took Connecticut lady for wife,
who proved herself to be q fit help
mate for man of his indomitable
energy and spirit. In October, 1S4S,
ne made shipment of goods to Cali
fornia. where rush of gold-seekers
had created sudden demand for va
cious products, and followed the con-
signment.
lie sailed for San Francisco, by way
of the lsthmus, in March, 1S49, at the
age of twenty-eight, in perfect health,
active, very strong, with an iron
frame and good New England habits.
Arriving in San Francisco, he saw at
once that that city, then the rendez-
vous of the idlers, was not the place
for him, land on the very morning of
his arrival after eating frugal, break
fast, hunted up a vessel going to Sac
ramento.
lie found a schooner, the master of
which offered him-a dollar an hour to
help load her, and he earned his pas
sage money in this way. Here he,
In small tent and with a limited
supply OF goods, began that business
ca-eer in California which made him
one of the foremost merchants of the
state. He was quick to see a profit,
and was widely known for fair deal
ing. He retained his New England
habits, and WIS up and at work before
the earliest of his clerks. Here MIR.
Huntington made the acquaintance
OF Mark Hopkins, and a business CO.
partnership was formed. BY 1856
the firm had accumulated a
handsome fortune. Their house was
one of the most solid on the coast. 1t
was in their store that the scheme of
a transcontinental railroad was matur-
ed. The war, however, Just then be-
gan, and those most forward in the |
project became disheartened. Then
Mr.. Huntington came forward with a |
new proposition. Il will" he said,
''be one of ten, or eight, if Hopkins |
agrees, to bear the whole expense of a
careful and thorough survey" and |
the result was that in 1861 seven men
entered into compact that they |
would pay out of their own pockets |
all the expenses of complete survey |
for railroad across the mountains. |
Of these seven, one died, and, the |
difficulties proving greater as they |
one dropped out. The re-
naming five organized in earnest the
Central Pacific railroad company. Mr.. |
then came east. He re-
manned in Washington looking after
the Pacific railroad bill until it was
passed and signed. His opinion of
the venture was well expressed in his
telegram announcing to his partner
his success: I'VE have drawn the ele-
plant" He then set out at once for
New York to arrange with hesitating
aud doubling capitalists for feeding
the rayenous beast.
1t was now that all his qualities of
courage, financial ability
and knowledge of men were brought
TO the test.
Instead of begging among specula-
tors, or pledging his bonds for mate
rial, he boldly announced that he
would not part with the bonds except
'or cash, and that he would not sell
my unless million and half were
aiken. His holiness won; but when
he required amount was bid for the
purchaser timidly desired some Ir-
her security. Mr.. Huntington made
himself and his firm responsible for
hs whole amount. and it was on this I
,ledge of their private fortune that
he irst fifty miles of the Central Pa
'i6c were built. When, later.
he treasure chest was so low
IS to make it necessary either
o diminish the laboring force on {
he work, or raise more means.
lie was again equal to the emergency.
We have no time to lose," be said,
and we must do it ourselves. Hunt
ngton Il Hopkins can keep 500 men
{ work for a year at their own
barge; how many will the rest of
on undertaken and it was agreed
hat the five associates should main
ain, out OF their private means, 800
len on the road for one year. That I
ended their troubles.
At that time the government held r
he first mortgage on the road and
and no government subsi- n
y bonds were to be received until
ections of fifty miles of road had !,
cen completed. q
1t was his task to remain in the :
asst, not only to raise money. but to =
urchaSe and forward material and =
upplies, every rail and wheel of which !,
aust be purchased six to eight r
lonths in advance of its delivery. :,
is sometimes said that Mr.. Hunt =
lgton and his associates of the =
'acitic railroad company have been ).
by the bounty of the gov ,,
This is a misconception of =
he facts. lie would have been 4
Ich man if he had never touched the +
'acitic railroad. He has been heard :,
D say that he thought it would have =
cen better for the company had it y
ever received any government aid. Z
nd he and his associates certainly n
ever would have undertaken the q,
'ork had they supposed the govern -
lent would break faith with the =,
:,
Mr.. Huntington continues to live r,
! New York. where he manages the Al
fairs of the Central Pacific and the L
)uthe-n Pacific railroad systems, as o
ell as those as the Chesapeake and a
bio railroad system, the greater
irt OF which he has built, and many ii