New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-02
THE COMMODORE's CAREER.

THE COMMODOhtS CAhEEh'
Cornelius Kensington Garrison was born at
Montgomery back OF Highland Falls this state on
March l. 1909 He the second child Of his parents
ruggedncss OF the family constitution Is aitested
by the vigor surviving brothers well az by the
long and hardy life OF the Commodore. His brother
Abram Garrison, exactly five years his senior, has Tor
fifty years carried tho business Of ron-iounder In
PittsDurg. Oliver Garrison his junior by few years
only capitalist heavily interested in the steel works
OF ST. Louis, in which city the Commodore
laid the foundations Of his colossal fortune.
Another brother ID. II. Garrison. is also
prominently identified with manufactures In the Mis-
sissipi Valley. having his home i'm 81. Louis while
fourth Isaac L. is engaged in the mining interests OF
Vermont. All shared with tho Commodore the posses
sion OF vigorous physical frame ana extraordinary
mental cearness and activity.
After passing youth IN which the advantages OF edu-
cation cons icuOus the training In ways
OF ndustrousncs and thrift the future capitalist found
selfeDgqged IN steamboang :he Mississippi River
He had already married Miss Mary Noyes, Of Buffalo,
woman Of real gentleuess Of character. who when for
gave her the opportunity. made her life blessing 60
the communities IN which she lived Young Garrison was
hardly twenty years Of when no began his career IN
tse Mississippi Valley II in the rude nays OF this
eentury's third decade There deal OF frontier
life left the great river. and who up In the
midst Of its Influences those Who by that very per
ormsnce ottested the knoty vgor OF their natures.
Steamboat frequently took their lives In their hands
In their efforts 10 compel respect for their rights from
the turbulent spirits that seeking their living IL
questionable the river, aud story which Is
related Of Commodore Garrison at this period illustrates
10 what degree he possessed the qualities necessary
one was 10 escape imposition.
The end OF a few years him captain OF a steam.
boat called the Convoy One day while selling tickets
in the office OF the beat he became involved quarrel
with peculiarly choeric individual. who finally en-
forced his remarks by presenting pistol through the
window full at the captains head It the old.
fashioned affairs, looking like Calling in miniature.
containing six barrels IN all OF which turned round
in cooking like the chambers of modern revolver. 1t
was before the days cartridges and the barrels ern
mated at the breach In nipples the charge being exploded
by percussion cap. The captain had not
time TO before the man with
a murderOus mind snapped his pistol The cap missed
fire. He tried again. and again there discharge.
Captain Garrsons pistol lay at hand and no might
have shot his assallant dead be made nent
In that direction Keeping unfnching eye upon the
discounted marksman. he cooy opened drawer and
taking out of 1t box of percussion caps pushed 1t
through the window. saying:
TRY some new caps yours don't seem to be good"
The audacity OF the performance completely unnervod
the rate passenger Instead Of accepting the caps he
begged pardon for his folly forgiven with hearty
handshake. and for years afcrward OF the fear
less Captains warmest friends and admirers.
The clerk on the Convoy was William G. Ralston be-
tween whom and the Commodore there up a bust
intimacy which lasted many years and friendship
which ended only with Ralsons unhappy death IN 1875
As early 1884 Garrison had extended activity as
steamboat the great lakes Of the Norbw west He
had made his home at ST. Louis but had moved his
family TO GOderch. Lake Huron, IN the Province OF
Ontario, where he WAS experimenting the construction
Of steamboat when his second son,
william Il. Garrison, who so long associated
with his fatherin this city, born. Soon afterward
he returned st. Louis where late in 4Os he left
his family to join the rabks Of those who followed the
visions OF vast wealth the Pacific slope The con-
sIruetion Of the Panama Railroad had made opening
for enterprise and capital the Isthumus and Comm0
dorc Garrison associatng his old clerk Rasfon with
him. established banking house at Panama Ho had
already interested himself in the steamship and
taken In hand number OF Eastern enterprises Com
modore Vanderbilt, approaching his traits al
their full worth, and probably aiming to avoid
what he foresaw would be dangerous
competition. offered him 100000 q year rs the San
Francisco representative OF the Nicaraguan line OF steam
ers. His income agent OF New-York Insurance COM
panies was already $4,000.
Within six months after his arrival in San Francisco
Mr.. Garrison elected Mayor Of the town. He i'm
Inedatey began crusade against the gambling houses
which he succeeded In suppressing When he retired
the Office he drew check for his salary for the
entire and dividing the equally presented It
the Protestant and Catholic Orphan AsyumA Within
the few years OF his residence In San
Francisco he accumulated what then looked
upon as fortune. He the first cash subscriber for
the exploration OF route for the Pacific Railroad
the first urge the construction of telegraph line
over the sierras When the state OF Missouri chartered
Pacific railroad he became large holder OF It's bods,
and when September g. 1876 the road sold under
foreclosure Of ne third mortgage bonds. Commodore
Garrison became the sole lie reOrgaDZed
tho road, which had been chartered In 1649
the Pacific Railroad Of Missouri, changed
the name to tho Missouri Pacific Railroad. end
within four years sold the property 10 Jay Gould for
nearly F4OoooOo although the share capital was then
oDly Ss0O,OO0
Commodore Garrison came 10 HewYork not long be-
fore the breaking out OF the Civil War In 1854 he
followed here by his son, william r., who had already
entered upon his business career. Commo
d0re Garrison was associated with Commodore
Vanderbilt in the California line OF steamships and hs
also controlled the lines " heworlesns, sayannah and
Brazil. The two Commodores firing OF
the dual control OF the California