Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-26
The Late John w. Garrett.

BRIEF SKETCH OF HIS BUSY LIFE.
Adispatch from Baltimore announces the death
at Deer Park, Nd, this morning OF MIR. John w.
Garrett, the Baltimore railroad king.
OF the three great railway managers, Cornelius
Vanderbilt, Thos. A. Scott and John ". Garrett,
only the named lived to good old age Scott
died at s. How he is followed by Garrett at g. the
latter having been born at Baltimore July 81 1890
His paternal ancestors were Scotch Irish people,
who located In Maryland soon after the revolution.
HIS father, Robert Garrett. was q m n of high
standing in commercial circles. his banking house
being one OF the most extensive in the coun-
try IN its connections and business The Bal
timore and Ohio railroad was the frst to be
Incorporated in the United States, its charter
dating back TO 1926. But it langulshed for many
management In 1858 Mr. Garrett. then compar-
atively young man, was induced to accept the
presidency, having In his capacity as director
shown the possession OF the qualities essential to
command He at once went to work with charac-
ter1st1c energy and in little while he had brought
order out OF chaos He extended the road perfected
its equipment, reduced Its running arrangements
to system and by the time the war came. in
1861 he was recognized as potent force In railway
management. During that period, in spite OF ex-
traordlnary difficulties, he co-operated heartily
with the government and thus rendered good SER
vice.
The success which crowned Mr. CARROTS later
work is part OF familiar history. He has made
and kept his line one OF the great competing agents
tiOn as manager which is not equaled by any man
OF the last generation. He was never gambler,
never SpeculatOr. but an Old-faShiOned business
man, who thought his work done when he man.
aged his road for the best interest OF its Stockhod
erS Mr.. Garrett's last important business venture
was the laying OF an ocean cable between this coun
try and Ireland In conjunction with James Gordon
Bennett He some time ago handed over to Mr.
Robert Garrett, hrSt vice president and president
pro tenn OF the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany, all the duties OF the office OF president But
until very recently, indeed-untl within the past
few days, In fact-he has always informed himself
as to the most important interests OF the great
poration, and upon all matters OF moment he has
been consulted. and has given TO the officials OF the
road his valuable assistance and advice.
Mr. Garrett has not been in robust health since
1882 BIS visit to Europe In the summer OF 1888
there he was several times seriously unwell After
his return he greatly overcome by the shock OF
his wife's death, and before long, disease OF the
kidneys developed. This was considerably alleyt-
ated BY the trip to Wood Lake and Elberon, but
about the nrst OF this month he became much
worse, the disease OF the k1dneyS being compii-
Gated with other serious ailments, and for the past
two or three weeks he has been growing weaker
ana weaker. HIS condition, however, was not
such as 70 excite grave apprehension OF speedy
death until late on Monday last
In person Mr. Garrett was large and portly, with
strongly marked features, Indicative OF great WILL
power and immense capacity OF endurance. His
face was kindly as well aS keenly intelligent
Although absorbed In the affairs OF his company,
he found time to devote to society, literature, art
and agriculture, and contributed freely to every
object that appealed to his benevolence. Mt. Gar
reIt leaves four rchidren-Robert, T. Harrison, Mary
and Henry.