The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1883-12-07
HENRY vILLARD's LOVE.
Romantic Career or the President Of the
Northern Pacific Railroad.

On bright frosty morning late in the
fall of 1853 a stout German youth hastily
made his exit from the little University
of Munich. Bavaria. He wore the con-
ventional tight-fitting ngsuit of the German
student. A cloth carpet-bag contained
his wealth with the exception of few
florins in his pocket and stout walk
ing stick in his hand. Heinrich Hiieard
was bright youth, an apt scholar. had
passed through the elementary school of
Zweibrucken, the town OF his nativity.
and the several classes of the Latin
school, and finally had spent year at
French school at PralZbourg, IL Lor-
raine. He terminated his pursuit of
knowledge by taking French leave" Of
the University of Munich. School life
had grown monotonous. He had entered
upon il at SIX years of age. and twelve
years later had concluded to seek his for
tune. The youth tramped 70 the home Of
his father. who then occupied a judicial
bench in tire town of Zwelbrucken. With
fair show of meekness and cOntrition
the son listened TO the anticipated cen
sure and then coolly proposed that his
father should settle upon him a small
fortune with which he desired to specu-
late in American cities. The result of
this interview was that few days later
Heinrich Hilgard left the parental roof
with sufficient funds 10 carry him across
the ocean to a settlement IN q remote
corner of Illinois, where an uncle had
preceded him year before and was en-
gagged III farming.
Heinrich. Il Is said, had left behind
beautiful French maiden, whose acguaiut-
ance he had made while attending CO.
lege at Lorraine, and his step IN .Ting
upon the world had been induced by an
ambition to become worthy of her hand.
On November 3, 1853. the young man
landed in Castle Garden. The grandeur
of the metropolis daZed him. Instead of
going at once to Illinois he decided 10
try his fortune there. 4 year of misfOr-
tunes and ill-luck, however. served 10
alter his mind considerably. With a
sinking heart he sought his relatives III
the township of Belleville, ST. Clair
county, Illinois, and there remained As
farm assistant for several years.
During the long winter evenings Henry,
as he had now become known, amused
himself by corresponding for German
papers at his old home. At last ne
secured little money for his articles in
German paper in st. Louis; This was
the turning point IN the career of the am
bilious youth. He soon increased his
knowledge of the English language by
diligent study, and soon after settled III
st. Louis. where he obtained employ
ment. Then he interested himself IN
the progress of the rapidly-increasing
western cities and wrote glowing ac-
counts TO the New York Tribune and Her
aid. In 1858 he was engaged to report
the political campaign between Lincoln
and Louglass for the New York press
He rapidly rose in journalistic circles and
then for the first time the name of Henry
Willard, nom-de-plume, became known
to the people of that city. Under this
name he won many laurels. When the
war was declared between the north and
sonth in 1861 he was engaged by the New
| York Herald as a war correspondent.
At the first attack upon Charleston he
was on Admiral Dupont's flagship, and
was the only correspondent IN the en-
gagement. His success IN reporting the
battle earned for him a three-weeks'
leave of absence, and on coming north he
found himself a hero. He made the
acquaintance of William Lloyd Garrison,
and was taken TO that gentleman's home
in Boston, and introduced to the Garrison
household as a hero and strong anti
slavery advocate. Here the young man
saw Miss Fanny Garrison, a beau
tiful young lady, who was at
that time about completing her edu-
cation in a Boston seminary. She was
considered one of the bellies of Boston
society, was patriotic, bright and, though
quite young, thoroughly understood the
causes which led to the breach between
the north and south. MIR. Willard passed
many hours in conversation with the
enthusiastic maiden before he 9gain
started for the front. Her yiyacious
manner and winning ways had driven
from his memory the early resolutions
made before he sought his fortune on
this side of the Atlantic, and the modest
desire for q little cot in sunny France
with the dark eyed girl who had first in
spired him with the tender sentiments OF
love, as his wife. Never in all his travels
in Europe or any portion of the west and
south-for by this time Willard had seen
much of the world-had he come in con
tact with a soul which had SO thoroughly
charmed him. He returned TO the south
fully determined to keep her foremost II
his memory. When. later on, malarla
fever contracted in the southern SwampS
forced him again to return north, ht
was assisted back to health by the tender
sympathies and cheering smiles of the
beautiful Boston girl. Then he declared
his love both to the daughter and parents
and little later he led her to the altar
Since his marriage. Mr.. Wizards life has
been one of unusual success.
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