St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-26
JOHN w. GARRETT.
His Death Momentarily Expected
Some Accounts Of His Eyentful
Tifa
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

Especial Telegram to the Globe.
DEER PARK, Md, Sept. 25.-At midnight
MIR. Garrett is still alive, but can survive not
more than a few hours. He has lost con-
sciousness, is breathing labored, and the end
is momentarily expected.
Mr.. Garrett was born in Baltimore, July 81,
1920. He was the second son of the late Robert
Garrett, who a wealthy merchant largely en-
gagged IN foreign and domestic commerce. III 6
was educated in Baltimore and completed his
studies in Lafayette college, Pennsylvania. On
his return home he entered his fathers count
ing room, and taken into part
nership with his father and his
brother, Henry s. Garrett. He was then only
nineteen years OF age. The firm was known as
Robt. Garrett & Sons. Mr.. Robt Garrett was
man of great foresight. He knew the unlimited
resources and productions of the western states
and no ole was better acquainted than he with
the advantages which Baltimore possessed
as a market for that region. He cultivated
close commercial relations between Balti-
more aud the section west of the Allegheny
mountains and to ali schemes looking to opening
communication by rail and canal he gave his
active support. John ". Garrett devoted his at
tention to the same great project, at the same
time enlaTgng the scope of the business of the
firm, which became the active representatives OF
Geo. Peabody & Co., of London,
and other we'll known firms in Europe.
Mr.. Garrett esrly became close observer of the
progress of the construction of the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad. Although solicited at an early
day to take part in the affairs OF the company,
Mr.. Garrett declined to enter into the contests
until October, 1897, when be was elected di-
rector. lie insisted that it was the duty of every
board of directors, by whatsoever constituency
its members were elected, to enjoy to the best
advantage the property committed to its charge
in order 10 maintain a just proportion between
the expenses and revenues OF the company
There opinions form the groundwork of that
policy which has made the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad company an unrivaled example of sue
cessful management. year later
Mr.. Garrett became president of
the road, succeeding Chauncey Brooks. From
that time in the history OF Mr. CARROTS life
is the history OF the Baltimore & Ohio railroad
company and the story OF the railroad company
to the present day is the story Of his remarkable
life. The practical wisdom OF Mr.. Garrett wAs
shown at the close of his first year as
president, when the increase in the
aggregate comparative net gains of the company
was over $500 900 more than the net yield of the
! preceding twelve months. 1t is needless to say
that the gains have steadily increased. MOI
is it necessary to trace the stages
through which the stock, quoted at 40
per share in 1858, rose to ia yesterday. Such
results are at least witnesses TO the sagacity OF
Sir. CARROTS administration. He succeeded in
harmonizng the previously conflicting interest;
and gathered around him stat
OF competent officials who were IL
pail sympathy with his views. When the vi
broke out the road was at the flood tide of IT,
/ prosperity. Then began era which not only
/ proved the most trying in its history, but tina
entaed upon Mr. Garrett onerous duties
| and enormous responsibilities such as few mel
have been called upon to undergo. He met then
/ with a wisdom aud courage that was superior L
/ all emergencies. The period of railroad expan-
! sion had just set in when Mr. Garrett assumed
! direction Of the affairs of the company, and b,
/ found himself burdened with duties anS
responsibilities which were scarcely
contemplated by his predecessors In Office
/ Difficult as was the task TO which these able ant
/ energetic men had devoted the best years o
! their lives, it was not TO be compared to tn,
] work which confronted the new president at th,
! yrey outlet OF his odiciu career. Mr.. Garrett
was then but thirty eight years Of age, youn.
MAJ 10 try such herculesn task and one car
scarcely sufficiently admire the foresight anC
/ * III. the resolute purpose and the unwave-in.
! force OF the man who took hold OF the mightI
work which so far has tIi implied over every %
stacle and has resulted Ia ,he the construction o
! an iron highway between the Chesapeake an,
1 the Ohio, aud the work which had already beer
done was a great one, bat it remained for Mr.
/ Garrett to carry the road TO the great
west and TO bring TO II the the tributaries which
( now furnish the bulk OF its Irafic
( During the past few years SIR. Garrett has lef
4 the active management OF the business to his
son, Mr.. Robert Garrett, who has shown grea
/ enterprise and qualification for ths
/ place. Mr.. Garrett has travelled extensively
during the past few years. His wife dieC
( from injuries received last autumn by fall frou
/ q carriage and this was great shock 20 him
/ since then he has been greatly broken down
and has been steadily falling. His family con
| sisis q three sons and a daughter
] Miss Mary Garrett, who ha
1 been constant attendant upoI
/ her father during his illness. Montebello. tn
country seat Of Mr.. Garrett, comprises abou
! 900 acres 1t Is one OF the finest estates il
! Baltimore county. whore Dir. Garrett has re
/ ceived az bis ho-pitsble board many OF Of tn {
most distinguished men both Of Europe an,
/ America