Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
THAT FAMOUS INTERVIEW.
The Manner In Which MIR. Vanderbilt Ex
pressed Hllnself

The Manner In Which MIR. Vanderbilt Elk
pressed Himself.
The death of William 81. Vanderbilt
revived much interest in an interview
that occurred between the dead money
king and two Chicago reporters, over
three years ago, which interview was
extensively copied at that time and has
been greatly commented upon. Many
newspapers have published sketches
which purported to give the correct
version of the manner in which the in
;erview was obtained, and none of these
stories appear to be correct. Inasmuch
Is great public interest has been taken
IN the question, the Hyde Park Gil. J
Herald, which is in position to know
whereof it speaks, has published the
story of the famous interview, which
will be found to be full of interest.
During the year 1882 the different
Chicago newspapers were represented
in Hyde Park by three young men
named John D. Sherman, Fred F. Ben
nett, and Clarence p. Dresser, who
we're also the representatives of the
Associated Press. Thus it will be seen
that between them the three newspa-
per correspondents had the use \of the
columns of the press of the entire Uni
ted States. Late on the afternoon of
Oct. 8, 1882, Mr.. Dresser in some man
ner obtained information that special
train was coming west from New York
with party on board that included
William II. Vanderbilt and his leading
railroad associates. The information
was that Vanderbilt was keeping his
movements as secret as possible, and
hoped to get through Chicago on an
extended trip west before the public
was aware of his presence. At that
time unusual interest was being taken
in every word and movement of the
money king, because Of several very i'm
portant railroad projects with which his
name was connected, and with which
he must necessarily have much to do.
The Nickel-P late Road was just COM
pleted, and its future was in great
doubt; the West Shore was almost
ready to grapple with the New York
Central for business; the Chicago and
Atlantic was soon to be opened as q
competitor for through business; the
Canada Southern was reported alb
sorbed by the Vanderbilt interest; the
Union Pacific securities were Threatened
with serious decline because of ru-
mored withdrawal of Vanderbilt's sup
port; the Pullman and Wagner car
companies were reported about to be
consolidated; the trunk-line pool was
threatened with disruption, and great
fight of the Vanderbilt versus the anti
Vanderbilt factions in the Rock Island
was reported on. A half-dozen other
important matters, including the build
ing of new depot on the lake front,
in Chicago, were all Ringing upon what
one man would say and do. That man
was William H. Vanderbilt, and in
spite of every effort of the most skill
full New York reporters, it was impos-
sible to get him to utter one word anent
the subjects which the public were
most largely interested in. Itremained
for him to unbosom himself to couple
of suburban representatives of the Chi
cago press on these issues, which in
volved millions of dollars.
As stated, it was late in the day when
the Herald Office received word of the
approaching visit of Vanderbilt, and
the information was to the effect that
he would arrive in Chicago via the
Michigan Central at o'clock the fol-
lowing morning, and proceed as
quickly as possible West. It was at
once decided that an effort would be
made by the members of the Herald
staff to secure the much-coveted inter-
view, and to that end it was agreed that
the three associates should proceed to
Michigan City, where the train would
likely have occasion to stop for water,
and then, if possible, return to Chicago
on the special, improving the best OPP
portunitv while on his train to get at
Vanderbilt for an interview The last
passenger train to Michigan City had
left that night before the news
reached them, and the only way tc
get there before the special from the
east was due was to take freight which
left Chicago at midnight and reached
Michigan City at 4 o'clock in the morn
ing. Before starting it was found nee
essary that one of the three should stay
at the Hyde Park Office to look after
the department news for the morning
! papers, and Mr.. Bennett remained,
while Messrs. Sherman and Dresser
made the trip to Michigan City on the
midnight freight. arriving there, by
clever ruse they ascertained the
movements of the special, and found
that stop of several hours duration
had been made at Detroit, and thus the
train would not reach Michigan City
until o'clock in the afternoon. This
gave them chance to rest and outline
their plan of operations, and, as
events proved, they were very success
full in carrying every point
The train pulled into the depot
at the appointed hour, and stopped
for moment for water. It com
prised one of the finest engines on
the road, baggage-car, President
Ledyard's private car, and the mag
nifcent double car belonging to Van
derbilt. The conductor stepped of
the platform of Vanderbilt's car for d
moment to get his orders and see that
the track was clear ahead for the run to
Chicago, and as he did so the reporters
hoped on board. An accommodating
colored porter, who was told that the Wis
TORS had business of importance with
Mr.. Vanderbilt, took to him card on
which was written: John D. Sherman.
Chicago Tribune, and Clarence P.