Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-08-21

erty merely an adjunct to "bulp or "bear"
operations in Wall street, and who are
! quite as well satisfied to wreck rail
| road as to build one. On the contrary, he
confined himself strictly to the legitimate
and honest work Of construction and man
agement. Rising from comparative pow
erty and obscurity, the record of his sue
cest will long remain standing refutation
of the oft-heard assertion that there are
now no opportunities for young men who
lack money or influence. From newsboy
to Vice-President of one of the leading
railroad systems of the world, and to the
position Of one of the most conspicuous
and successful railroad builders ever
known, is long promotion, but it was ac-
complished by Mr.. Croker by his unaided
abilities. This should be an encourage
ment to all young men of the rising gener-
alton who have the wisdom 10 appreciate
the fact that hard work and self-denial
are the only sure guarantees Of usefulness
and success.
Believer IN California.
Oakland Tribune
The story of the life of Charles Croker
reads almost like fairy tale, and yet it is
typical Of the splendid possibilities which
are within reach of every American boy
with strong hands, a clear head, and plenty
OF energy. Here was a BOY not vet ten
years Of age supporting himself by selling
newspapers on the streets of Troy, asking
no fayors of any man, and holding his own.
Later he worked in wood and worked in
iron, and everything he worked at paid.
Then he cross the plains in the days of gold.
W ~ IFafee
was young. Like the others, ne dug gold,
and found it, but he soon found in trade a
better opening for his fine executive abil-
tiles
Not yet. however, had Charles Crocker
found his real mission. His ex-
periences as a mechanic, as worker in
iron ore, as a gold digger, and as a mer-
chant were all useful as the best posi-
bic training for the task before
him. He was man of ideas, and yet
no dreamer. He had that grand quality
Of enthusiasm which moves mountains and
harder still-which moves unfinchingly
onward in the face of the embarrassing OBJ
structions which meaner men delight to
throw in the way Of great design.
Few men would have had the courage of
Mr.. Croker when he sold out his business
IN Sacramento and devoted all his time
and money to an undertaking, at that
time so doubtful-the building Of a rail
road over the high Sierra. Chas. Croker
never finched, and at the head Of an army
of 10000 men moved steadily and with
unerring certainty onward day by day,
mile after mile, camping with his men in
sand and snow and mud, sharing their
work and their food, and putting life and
spirit into everything.
It is not necessary here to catalogue the
great enterprises in which he took lead
ing part. He was q great believer in the
future of California, and had an intelligent
appreciation of the means by which our
growth must come. His last great work
in itself a scheme TO occupy the life of
an ordinary mantle MERGED irrigation
canal, is proof of his accurate understand
ing of the conditions necessarily precedent
to the development and growth of the
State.
Nor must it be forgotten Of Charles
Grocker that he had hand open and gen
erous to the appeal of distress No man
was more ready to put his hand in his
pocket in the cause of charity or to assist
those who were worthy. He had a great
heart. His task is ended. He has done
his work well.