Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-11-21
PHIL kRMOUR'S OLO-TIME FRIEND.
How He Was Entertained by the
Chicago Millionaire.


How He Was Entertained by the
Chicago Millionaire.
Phil Armour had visitor not long
ago to whom he paid every attention,
says the Chicago Herald. Mr.. Armour
made him guest at his own house,
had him driven about the city to see
the sights in his own carriage and gave
him what time he could from the heavy
duties incident 10 his vast business;
arb yet the visitor was not, in appear
ance, exactly of Mr.. Armour's set
This visitor lives in Macon City, Mo-,
and is n typical Missourian. His name
is Edward Croarkin, but being an odd
character is known throughout all the
country as Needy" sometimes "Old
Neddy." In making recent trip
through Missouri in the interest of the
Chicago worlds fair movement, 1t was
Paul Hull's fortune to form the ac-
quaintance OF 'Old Neddy," and know
ing Mr.. Hull came from Chicago Med
dy" began talking OF Mr.. Armour and
his visit TO the millionaire. While
"Neddy was relating the incidents OF
marked attention received from Mr..
Armour Paul could not but recognize
the wide difference in the positions OF
tho two men, and his curiosity was
aroused. He questioned "Neddy" and
the following story was ELECTED: Dur
ing the gold fever in the stirring times
OF 40 Mr.. Armour was attracted to the
California gold fields. and he and
'Neddy" became not only fast friends
but partners in the search for the
precious yellow treasure. Needy"
says that every Saturday night a divi-
dend was made. He and Phil would put
the joint results Of the weeks work on
the cabin table, and then on one night he
would go outside while Phil took his
knife, divided the pile, put one share
away. when no ("Neddy'') would come
in and take the balance. The next
night the same act would be repeated,
only Phil would so out while "Neddy"
made the "divvy." This went on
through tho whole time they were in
the gold regions "Neddy" told Paul
that he had heard of Phil occasionally
and knew that he had been successful,
but he had no idea what his success was
until he paid that visit to Chicago. On
reaching the city Needy" went at once
to Mr. Armour's office; he says the
army OF bookkeepers and clerks bewil-
dered him, but presently he heard q
familiar voice say, "Heliow there,
Ned" and in an instant his hand was
being shaken by Phil himself. He was
invited to sit down, and they had quito
q talk about old times. Mr.. Armour
was busy at the time and excused him
self from going out, but he called for
his carriage, and, as '.Neddy" says:
He sent me out riding with as nice
and slick a young Teller as you ever
see." Speaking Of the evenings at
Pills house. "Neddy" said he did not
know what to do, everything was so
fine, but Phil made him feel just as
comfortable and at home as was posi-
! BILE. To wind up with Needy" told
Paul that Mr.. Armour got him trans
portation over several railways reach
ing watering places in the northwest.
Mr.. Armour drove with him to the de-
pot, and just before he left he gave him
gold certificate for 800. II made
the trip all around and had good
time, but did not need to use the big
BILL" says 'Neddy;" II have it, stored
away in safe place" NEEDY" says
there is no doubt phil is just rolling
in wealth; that he has realized the
dreams we both had out in the mines
in 40, but for all that he is the same
Phil he was then-always kind, honest
and trua "