The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-01-13

go % to 80 cents higher than in any
other market in the world. He
abandoned contemplated trip to
Europe in order to help his friends,
one of whom was his former part
ner, and his good Samaritanship
was rewarded by large profit
The day the failure OF Grant .&
Ward was announced there was
panicy feeling in Chicagoias well
as in New York, but Mr.. Armour sus-
tanned the market, and in less than
an hour pork advanced 81 a barrel.
For thus setting himself and his mil
lions against the tide of downward
prices at that crisis Armour received
letters of thanks from three promi
nent bankers.
His recent operations in Wall
street in connection with st. Paul
Railroad stock have been very sue
cessful.
on Armour's payroll are 5000
names. He has sold this year $780,
100000 worth of food products. He
has agents all over the world, to
whom kilograms are sent every
morning giving the days quotations,
and from whom statements OF busl-
ness are received every night. ln
his office on La Sale street are 130
clerks, 100 of whom are constantly
kept tusy making out bills. AT his
desk in the midst of these clerks sits
the millionaire packer. At his left
are his stenographers and telegraph
operators. Around him, within
view, are his clerks. There are no
partitions, no closets. There IS not
even an ante-room. The boss works
with his men. Every morning at .
he is out of bed, at 6 he breakfasts,
and at Z he steps from his carriage
in front of the Office palace and goes
Immediately to his desk. There be
remains until 6 in the evening. AT
6:30 he reaches home, dimes, and is
in bed by 8. This has been his hab-
it for many years. WorK is his life
and pleasure. He is quick, but not
hurried decisive, but not brusque.
Neither his millions nor his cares
seem to age him. He likes to be
called butcher, and insists that he
is only a pig-killer. On his desk
there is always huge bouquet OF
flowers, set in the polished horn OF
an OK. Beside this horn every NOR
ming is placed a little ticket showing
the bank balance. Adjoining the
walls are sets of broad horns and
ugly heads of pigs. Upon the mar
BILE floor near by are samples Of
packed meats he has to sell, and
specimens of scoop shovels, knives
and nose-rings which somebody
wants him to buy.
Armour is of medium height and
heavy, but not fat. His face is full
and round, without flabbiness. His
age is so, and he is a stranger to ILL.,
ness. In manner he is plain and
kindly. He does not know what
style is. He lives in a plain house
on Prairie avenue, and keeps fewer
servants and horses than many men
whose fortunes are not equal to his
monthly income. His wealth is es-
timated by q gentleman perfectly
familiar with his affairs at from s15,-
10000 to s1S,000,000. 1t is mainly
in cash or securities. He is not a
large holder of real estate, and it is
said he could, in an emergency, real
ize more cash in 24 hours notice
than any other man in America, per-
haps, excepting one. He has no
dead or fictitious assets. Even the
great buildings at the Stock Yards
and all kindred Improvements are
charged to profit and loss. He has
two sons-one at school, and the
other OGDEN was admitted to the
firm year ago. Ogden is sensible
and industrious. After leaving
school he spent several years learn
ing the working in the
packing house, keeping books in the
office, and selling pork and beef son
the road"
Armour is not stingy or penuri-
Gus. He lives plainly himself, be-
cause 1t is his choice. but he is tol
Grant of extravaganza in others.
There are brokers about the Board
who have made completeness by bis
friendship and patronage, whose per
sonal expenses are greater than his
a dozen fold. He gives away more
money than any other man In Chi
cago. He judges by instinct rather
than by questions. He is rarely i'm
posed upon, except that his checks
are often too large Some years ago
the farmer to whom Armour had
been indentured, and who was good
enough to release the deed upon re-
quest, was discovered to be in want
in Philadelphia. His former APP
prentice has since supported him
The old man applied for q post, but
Armour said he wanted no old, play
ed-out men about him. He does
not mix charity and business.