Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-21
HUGH j. JEWETT.
Uneasy Lies the Head That Wears
A Railway Grown.

NEW YORK, June 19.-The bulls of
Wall street would be delighted to have
the Chicago and Atlantic and Chesapeake
andOhlorailroadco companies join the trunk
line pool AN association which is supposed
TO be strong tower OF defense for the
leading railway interests of the United
States, although 1t is an abnormal out
growth OF the Over-construction of rail
roads In this country and should he for
oldden by law. With the two railroads
mentioned within the fold the financial
shepherds think they could lead the flock
along primrose path to higher prices.
Ihe mention of the Chicago and Atlantic
recalls Hugh J. JeweJt, once its
President, but who resigned some
months ago. lie has made many enc
mles, but Whatever may be said Of him
he Is one Of the notable figures in Wall
street history. He was once poor boy
In small village Of Western Ohio. Now
he is reputed to be worth $l0,000,000 lie
is 5S years or age. AS boy he worked on
a small farm. He was inclined TO study,
and in the long winter evenings read
among other books an old volume OF
"BlackstOge's Commentaries" which
chance had thrown in his way. He grew
up Thoughtful, studious and ambitious.
he had commendable desire to secure a
collegiate education, and by severe econO-
my be was enabled to enter Hiram Col
lege. He was a classmate of James A.
Garfield, whom strange fate was 10 seal
with martyrdom as the second ruler OF
the republic to fall by the assassin's pistol.
After young Jewett was graduated he
went to Cleveland to seek employment.
He was so poor that he was glad to secure
place as clerk in a lawyers office at 81
a week. He was vet to receive a thou
sand times that week as the head Of
great railroad company. He used his
leisure time as clerk to study law books,
was admitted to the bar, entered politics,
became Judge, was elected TO Congress,
and vigorously supported Abraham Lin
coin and Gen. Grant. He resigned his
seat in Congress because he thought he
could improve his finances in his profess
sion. He opened an office IN New York
and became known as an astute railroad
lawyer. He was for time associated with
S. j. TIlden, who, IL IS needless to state,
was one of the shreWdest OF railroad law
yers. Mr.. JeWett attracted the notice OF
John A. Dix, then President of the Erie,
and of Col. James Fisk, one of the
financial harlequins of that ill-fated cor
pOratlon so often wounded in the house
OF its so-called friends. In due time &r.
Jewett became the receiver of poor, tired
old Erie, nearly exhausted by the bleeding
to which it had been subjected for years
by financial quacks and sharpers. Mr..
Jewett, l am told, demanded "a salary of
$4,000 year and a payment of ten years
in advance, and received it, although his
enemies assert that fifty cents a year
would be an eXOrbitant charge for his
services. Be this as it may, he certainly
aroused violent opposition; he was ac-
cused of extraYagance, and a powerful
faction, led by Mr.. ID. o. Mills, the Worm
ser brothers and few others, finally ac-
cOmplished his overthrow, and Mr..
John King reigns in his stead, with a
salary of $4,000 year as President or
the road. Mr.. Jewett secured a fOothOld
in the Chicago and Atlantic and became
its President. He had old Erie enemies
in the directory, however, who thought
that the cheapest thing for the road would
be to dispense with the luxury, so to
speak, of Mr. Jewett's services. They ac-
cOrdlngly secured enough Chicago and
Atlantic stock to give them control of the
road. Then they invited Mr.. Jewett to
resign, and, like a prudent monarch, to
avoid being deposed, he abdicated, and
James II. Benedict regns in his stead
And now / see that Mr.. Je wett aud mis-
friends must leave the Cincinnati, Hamil-
ton and Dayton road. In his case, at
least, it seems that uneasy lies the head
that wears railway crown.
He lives in a handsome house on Madi-
son avenue. He is off-hand and rather
pleasant than otherwise in bis manners.
lie Is about the medium height, rather
thin, and is slightly lame. He has strong
features; Roman-like resOlutlOnis there,
and the effect is heightened by the Roman
nose. He Is combative, and searching
black eyes, undimmed by his three score
years, will on occasion blaze with aggres-
sive ardOr. Whatever may he said Of his
akiIi aaa financipr no has ghOvvn su ffi0iapf
force OF character 10 push his way to the
front and secure the highest rewards
which finance has to bestOw.
OSCAR WILLOUGHBY RIGGS.