The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-19

IAAstratea CoTfesponaehce ~ CIV VI bs''S~'
No man In New York Is better known and
better liked than Rufus Hatch. He is par
ticular fsvorite of newspaper men, who de-
light Ia interviewing "Uncle Rufus" and
not the less SO of the reading public, because
they always find In what he has TO say, spicy
and witty expressions and the refreshing
hsartiness and goodwill Of which his coun-
tensncs gives abundant indication, MI.
Hatch Is not an old man, being under fifty
one years Of age, and everybody who knsws
him shares In the expect alton that hs will
furnish tidbits In the way of quaint and
clever sayings for another generation yet.
His physical appearance and condition war
rant this pleasant anticipation. Vigorous,
active, and careful of his health, with an I'M
failing flow Of good spirits, spicy speech, and
kindly feeling, the absence Of "Uncle Ru-
fus /" from his usual resorts In the Empire
City is In the nature of a public calamity.
Long may he flourish!
The picture gives an excellent idea Of the
frank and open comtenance with which ma
ture has favored Mr.. Hatch, and which is the
fitting "frontispiece Of q sturdy body
formed for strength and activity, the enjoy
ment OF the good things Of this life, aud to
give eomely and fine presence and executive
force to a man shrewd and sagacious, ener-
getic and worldly wise, and at the same time
ovorfowing with the "milk of human kind
ness"
Mr.. Hatch is native Of Maine, and was
born at Wells. York county, on the oath of
June, 1882. His father was q farmer aud
brought his son up in the pursuit of agricul-
ture. The elder Hatch was judicious par
ent, gentle and companionable with his boy,
whose judgment and selfrespect he carefully
cultivated aud fostered. At nineteen Rufus
left home for the West, urged by the amoi-
p ton 10 improve his circumstances and en-
large his sphere of activity. He soon pro-
cured employment as helper to the corps Of
engineers who surveyed for the first railway
constructed In Wisconsin, and which now
forms portion of the Chicago and North
western railroad. About three years after
this time Mr.. Hatch had acquired sufficient
means to justify his starting in business for
himself. Accordingly lie opened an office in
Chicago as grain broker. In short time
he became a member In the firm of Arm
strong & Co., of that city, tbs phenomenal
success of which preceded the collapse in Its
fortunes. occasoned by The rapid decline In
the price Of grain resulting from the hasty
termination Of the Crimean war In March,
1856. Mr.. Hatch honorably shouldered the
Obligations Of the house, and paid off every
dollar of ITS indebtedness with interest as
soon as he was able, Notwithstanding that all
OF the accounts had outrun the Statute OF
Limitations. In 1852 he went TO New York
city with the slender capital Of only So 900.
A. that time Henry Keep was the leading
railroad broker In the commercial capital of
the New World. He encouraged the new
csmer In his enterprises, and both men
bought largely OF. Chicago and Northwestern
stock, TO the credit of their sagacity and the
liberal increase Of their fortunes. Mr.. Hatch
soon became a. considerable man on the
street. He originated the Open Board of
Brokers aud was the first vice-president of
this organization, which grew into the Stock
Exchange. When this body was instituted,
three,fourths of Its smembers offered the pres
idency to Mr.. Hatch, who declined 1t. The
panic Of 1873 used "Uncle Rufus very
harshly,. but he struggled gamely along
against adversely until 1876, when he failed.
During q portion of the interval between
these dates, he was vice president and man.
aging director Of the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company. The confidence of his associates
was evidenced fatterlngly at the time of his
failure In his being renstated In his mem
bership on the Stock Exchange by the unan-
imous vote Of Its members, confidence con-
frmed by his payment of every dollar he
owed just as seon as he could manage. to do
II. Mr.. Hatch sold his seat In the Stock Ex-
change two years ago, but Is active As can be
In his business which ID now principally as a
dealer In cattle. He is president of the
American Board Of the Cattle Ranch and
Land Company (Lmited) Of London, and
has been very successful In pushing Its busi-
ness In this country. He will make trip to
England shortly-by the way, he was across
the Atlantic. a few months ago, and attracted
n good deal of attention In London-with
the view TO complete arrangements which
will greatly augment the capital Of the con-
Germ, now a million dollars. The company
will pay asdividend of ten per cent, although
only formed last summer.
Mr.. Hatch is emphatically family man,
e simple as q child In the enjoyment Of his
home. His fist wife was Miss Charlotte
Hatch, though of the same name not related
TO him, To whom he was married In 1853, and
who lived with him In happy companionship
twenty years, when she died, leaving three
children, two boysan one daughter. The
last named Is the wife Of VIM. L. Kimball,
an eminent dry goods merchant OF New
York. Mr.. Hatch's second wife is the
daughter OF Commodore Gray. She has
borne him one child, son, named after ex'
Senator Conkling, Mt time when that
statesman's political fortunes were most de-
cidedly al ebb. This choice of name Is char.
acteristic of Mr.. Hatch, who stands by his
friends when they need sympathy, expires
sions Of respect, or more substantial help The
most.
: Reports Of Mr.. Hatch's recent appearance
before 4 committee OF the New York Senate
receiving testinon, on corners and futures
give more than ordinary interest to tht
! man Just now. HIs shrewd and witty an
swers on that occasion have excited an Admi
ration widespread rs the circulation OF thu
papers In which they were reported. Asked
whether he was familiar with the system
or making corners, he replied: "rve hears
people speak about them. never made on
myself.n "Do you know Of others doing SOP
81 know nothing Of other peoples business.
He understood . corner ito be made b,
buying more than there ID In existence OF
certain commsdity-stock,b bonds, coal, oil
meat, grain--cabbage heads" and though
the purpose of corner "may be TO secur
something for home consumption, or u ma
be for prstit. II may be 10 sell again
the man who has sold you Whist be hasn
got. Mr.. Hatch condemned futures, COZ
ners, and the watering Of stock. His innu
ence a. business man has been favorablet
the public well-being. He originated th