The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-03-05
S. S. MERRILL.
Stories Told of the Lately Deceased Nam
ager of the Milwaukee & st. Paul Rail-
way Illustrating His characteristics.


Some ten or twelve years ago there
was employed in Mr.. Merrill's Office .
clerk in whom complete confidence was
reposed. He was intrusted with many
Of the corporations secrets and given
the handling of funds in large amounts.
Unfortunately, the young man COM
menced sowing his wild oats, found his
salary insufficient to support his ex-
travagance, and frequently distracted
small amounts from the railway CON-
pany's funds to meet the deficiency.
These amounts gradually increased in
size until the yoang man, realizing the
position he was in, made one grand
haul and left for parts unknown. His
departure led to discovery of all his
populations. The inform alton was COM
municated to Mr.. Merrill, who, after
moments reflection, sent for the COM
pany's special agent, and ordered that
official to institute a search for the alb
sent clerk.
Follow him." said Mr.. Merrill, ''to
China if necessary, and bring him back.
Keep this matter quiet and spare no
expense in bringing the young man
back to this office"
The few other persons who knew of
the embezzlement were enioined 70 strict
secrecy, and very few ever learned of
the facts. Any inquiry which might be
made regarding the young mans alb
sense was met by the reply that he was
taking his summer vacation, but just
| where was not known.
In the meantime diligent hunt for
| the young man was in progress. He
| was traced to Detroit, and from there
| through Canada to the Atlantic coast,
where he sailed for Europe just twelve
hours in advance of the special agents
arrival. Authorities on the other side
of the Atlantic were cabled, and the
young mans arrest ordered. This was
successfully accomplished, the clerk
was returned to America and trans
ferred to the custody of the railway COM
pany's agent. To that official full
confession was made, and, finding him.
self completely in the company's power,
the young man calmly contemplated his
fate, expecting nothing less than STATE
prison sentence.
He was quietly taken before Mr.. Mer
rill, who, to his complete surprise, ap
1
warmly by the hand, and said: ''Well,
back again 1 see. Sorry you staid so
long, as we needed you. Had a good
time, though, hope Now, c.,
your desk is Just as you left it. No one
has disturbed a paper. and you can get
to work at once. Here, look over these
accounts, and see that they are properly
checked"
The young man, dumbfounded at the
reception, as in fact was the special
agent, burst into tears, and could not
fully realize the situation, until Mr..
Merrill again broke in with: "Come,
what are you doing there? Get into
that chair as quick as you can and
check those accounts. And, by the
way, don't want to ever hear a word
regarding certain events of recent date,
which you perhaps know Of"
The young man did go to work, be-
gan a new life, attended to his duties
as he never had before. advanced him
self in rank as railway employe, made
good to the company the amount he
had stolen, and several years later left
the company with as good a letter o
recommendation as any man ever re
ceived. He to-day occupies a promi
|
railways of the country, and for it thank
his old employer, S. S. Merrill.
Manager Merrill's regard for faithful
lowing incident: A colored boy, wht
ter on Mr.. Merrilfs private car, ant
that capacity. was accidentally killed
Upon learning of the accident Mr.. Mer
rill Immediately gave orders that ever,
necessary arrangement for the funera
service and burial of the young man b.
, made, his own purse contributing to tha
+ purpose. The day of the funera
!, CHANGED to be an unusually busy one a
, the General Managers Office, and from
: besieged with callers desirous of maxim,
contracts for rail, ties. spikes an
, other supplies, representatives of var
,, GUS corporations, and individuals having
. personal matters to attend to. Mr.. Mer
!, rill disposed of them as fast as he could
. but as the day moved on into the after
n noon there was yet more than halt
!, dozen in waiting. Ascertaining tn
, wants of each, he granted an audienc
>. to those with whom meeting could nc
, be conveniently postponed, and then
q glancing into the waiting-room, he said
! Gentlemen, you must excuse me to-day
= lhave not time to consider your cases th
= afternoon, as l must attend a funeral.
4 And in the midst of the lowiy bu
honest-hearted people who were preseu
!. at.the faithful porter's funeral was Man
ager S. S: Merrill.
The purse of Mr.. Merrill has scores {
d times been quietly opened to the relic
e of poor and needy persons, and it wi
= never be known what amount he ha
n distributed in this quiet name. SeN
7. circulated in the Milwaukee & st. PAT
If general offices to raise Il few hundre
II dollars for the relief of a deserving pei
son. 1t CHANGED that Mr. Merrill wa
: out of the city at the time, and befol
q he had returned the required amour
q lad been raised and turned over to til
r. person for whom it was intended.
short time after that Mr.. Merrill hcal
+ of the transaction, and immediatel
% summoned the person who had circl
d lated the subscription papes
1t. How much did you put me dow
u for?" inquired Mr.. Merrill, drawing h
1t ocket-book. Nothing! Do you mes
- say that you permitted that list to
closed without my name on it? No
never let that thing occur again, if yc
in wish to be friendly with me, and Il
le circulator readily saw that Mr., Merr
CT felt injured that he had not been pc
d., mitted to contribute his portion to Il
it charitable fund which had been rais
" and turned over.-1Mlo0aukee !Sentin
"
Ne The Dress of Great Men.
n n Daniel Webster usually wore a suit
g snuf-brown color, with a large 81