The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-28
RILEY MKEEN.
Incidents illustrating His Justice and Mag
nanmity.
Correspondence Cincinnati Enquirer

nanimity
Correspondence Cincinnati Enquirer
w r. McKeen, of Terre Haute. is one of the
well known, active Republicans of Indiana. Al
though not a politician, he has part in all
campaigns both as contributor and adviser. In
the affairs of life he has been singularly FORUM
ate, and yet no man in Indiana can say that MIR.
Mckeen has taken an advantage OF hlm or ever
broken promise. Genial in disposition and
tender as a woman whose tenderness is proper,
he has grown rich without mourning the enmity
of any one Should he be candidate for office
he would, as | am told, receive the votes of the
entire voting population Of Nigo county, lnclud-
ing that of Senator Voorhees," The other day
was told couple of anecdotes of him. which il
lustrate how he has made money and friends at
the same time
A few years ago, when the Logansport &
Southwestern railroad was sold under foreclos
ure, Mr.. McKeen bought it. He had no part
ners in the purchase After time he decided
to extend the line beyond Logansport and sent
out his attorney, Mr. Gushing. to buy the right
of way. After time Mr.. Gushing came in to
report progress and as he followed along the
line, Gushing said:
II bought that ground for $500; this next
piece of the same kind cost $50, and the piece
beyond that cost 800"
''How did sou get that piece for $50, when
you paid 800 for pieces of the same size on
each side of it, asked McKeen.
oh, the owner is poor as a church mouse;
his family has been sick and other kinds of bad
luck have got him down, and he had to have
money, so paid him $50 in cash and got his
deed"
And his land is just as valuable as that for
which you paid $400!'
Yes sir, better if anything answered Mr.
Cushing
Very well Mr.. Gushing, want you to get
the right of way as cheap as you can justly;
that's all right, am not finding fault. but L
want you to send that man a check for $3.50 [
would be afraid to ride over land for which the
owner had not been honestly paid, said Mr.
McKeen.
On another occasion gentleman residing in
this city owned So. 900 worth of stock in fair
paying company i'll which Mr. McKeen was in
terested, and the owner announced that he
wanted to sell it. Mr.. McKeen heard of it. and
directed his agent in this city to buy it if he
could get it at par The agent called on the
gentleman and learned that he was in desperate
straits for money, and finally succeeded in buy
ing the stock for 81, 800. A few days later Mr..
McKeen was in this city, and his agent informed
him that he had bought the desired stock.
''All right" said Mr. McKeen fill out check
for So, 600, and | will sign it
But it didn't cost $1,000 The owner needed
money to save his credit and l got it for 81 800
answered the agent
81 don't want it at that price, said Mr.. Nc
Keen The stock is worth par, and is a fair
purchase at that. and will not take advantage
| of the mans msfortunes to get it for less. Go
to him and tell him that my offer was So 000 and
give him the other s., 800" and the agent did so.
! The gentleman who told me the two anecdotes
was the beneficiary in the last one. and he sat in
! Mr.. McKeens Office and overheard the first one.
Mr.. McKeen afterward sold the stock at $l20
| have often wondered how Mr. McKeen could
have acquired large a fortune without Cypress
ing his nelghbors. but believe now that he cast
| his bread upon the waters and it has been re-
| turned to him manifold. | am not surprised
! that all over the west and north of the State
men are suggesting him as an excellent candidate
of his party for Governor