New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-15
His manner rather


president Of the Reading RAILROAD. His manner ra'he
than his arguments carried conviction, ana IL Is
mater az rccors that he turned enemies of the com
pany into lifelong friends In the courts, before anu
after his railroad his honesty was never ques
toned. He argued case IN inc nope vi d ieo
or, IN other words, the fee had nothing 10 90 WI"
his position in the case the eloquence Of his plea
It will be discovered quickly after his death mat ne
omitted many opportunities for the accumulation OF
,o,tune He threw himself into every question ~
which his interest was excited without nope OF re
ward or fear OF danger. 1t Is not impossible that MS
life was ended because of his disappointment IN d
legal combat In which he had no pecuniary interest
The late hour when his death was announced found
wall street nearly deserted. The men who knew him
hest had gone TO their homes wi hout hearing the
melancholy news. For many years Mr. Gowen Will
be considered a financial meteor whose erratic course
could not be measured.
HIS CONNECTION WITH SOUTH PENN"
Mr.. Covers persuasive powers interested William
IL. Vanderbilt In the South Pennsylvania scheme
which contemplated the extension of the Reading road
into new trunk line to the West. This enterprise
was originally started by II. Mex. Twombly. one Of
Mr. Vsndcrbilt's sonSn-law, and William c. Whitney.
Mr. Gowen took hold Of IL for the purpose of building
a rival line TO the Pennsylvania road the South Penn
being the connecting link between the Pittsburg and
Lake Erie that would take the route 10 the Lake shore
at AshtabuIs. while from Harrisburg the Reading
would furnish connection TO NewYork by the Jersey
Central and to Baltimore by the Baltimore and ohios
project of an independent Lire 20 Philadelphia. Inc
Vanderbilt interest contributed about S7OooOoo OF inc
total 81 900 600 TO be invested in the south rem
enterprise. and Mr. Gowen raised the rest OF inc sum
from Dr. Hostetter the dead Pittsburg millionaire, AN
drew Carnegie and f. c. Knight and other PAia'
dclpha capitalists When the project was wen '"u.
way, President George g. Roberts. of the PehnSyNd''"
Railroad, is sad to have vowed tha'
he would suspend dividends, II necessary
Nd
loss TO the capitalists who went into 1t of Tlooo ior
every dollar they put into the enterprise. The west
Shore scheme TO parallel the New-fOrk Cen'ra was
practically coincidenta with the south pennsylvania
project and the trunk lines became involved IN de
stIuctive Of rates. which preciptated the sloch
panic of 1884.
In the early part of 1885 negotiations we're begun
for the transfer Of the West Shore 10 the Central |
SYSTEM the deal was arranged in July Of that year. |
and on January /, 1856 the lease of the former to
the latter was made This agreement ended tne con
lest and the Nanderbs withdrew their support from !
the South Pennsylvania enterprise, when became
mohbund. thereby removing The threatening compeu
tor of a rival line Mr. G0wen fought haId TO pro
long the life of the South Pennsyv but IL was
derbilis and DreXeMorgan banking comDinatlOh
Mr.. Governs fac as president aud contro ing power
sylvanis deal was made, and although ne obtained
temporary success IN Ousting George DEB hem from
the presidency al the election In January 1856, be
was forced 10 res On shortly afterward, and Austin
CoIbin took his place as president.
last reorganization Of Reading Mr.. Gowen hal been
prominent counsel for the individual coal produc-
crs along the line OF The Reading and The PcInsyVa
MA roads. lie had taken the ground that the great
coalcarrying rail Dads not at se ty TO Ct a &c
mines which they owned partly or entirely than they
granted 10 the smaller private shippers and ne acted
counsel for the individual minors in suits in the
courts and in proceedings before the Interstate Com
merce Commission.
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEw ASTONIsHED.
Chauncey NJ. Depcw astonishcd when informed
last evening by Tribune reporter Of the death of Mr.
GOwen ard the tragic circumstances surrounding it.
IL can scarcely believe this credible he said Mr.
Gowen, with his sanguine disposition was the last man
in the world. I'm my opinion, to take his life. lie was
lawyer Of remarkable ability ana man OF c9ur |
az convictions and honesty. The essential defect
Of his character as railroad manager or nancer Wa
Reading railroad and coal system he attempted to an
tcipate the future by hundred years and Will, he |
overburen it with obg CATIONS that present conditions
were inadequate to provide for By reason Oh me
for Reading by mortgage upon the next century he
was inevitably bound to meet his Waterloo as inan-
Of statement and cleamc,s Of expression. which, com
bned with his honesty of nature, carried determining
men. lie could talk money out OF the pockets of the
bankers 81 pesed ana loan a rom
person corporation TO which he made aplication |
consider that he Of the ablest. # not the
ablest railway lawyer in the country, fuller OF re-
Behind his ability his magnificent courage and
nothing has been recorded that can be considered
in this respect equal to his contest with the Penn
prosecution against this powerful secret order right
In the heart of the Influence of the organization. |
whore it had terrorized judges and district attorneys
ard held all ures for time in It's RELENTLESS grasp
That undisruted was broken by the personal |
strength and force of Mr.. Gowen and his achievement
will long be remembered TO his honor When directed
toward financial matters this power OF character was
reinforced by honesty which appealed 10 every one ana
imagine that Mr. Gowen conducted greater nnahG d
10 his personal estate than any one can think o.
He was always poor and believe that he died So |
AN ATTRACTIVE PERSONALITY.
Mr. Gowen was remarkably attractive and agree |
able socially He possessed an enormous fund Of |
information and a power Of lucid statement |
which gave 10 his talk life and--what
shall call it, for the word that
that kept his conversation from weayng the listener,
no matter how long the interview might be. have |
been with him days together Oh Inspection to1is OF
HIS properties and found him on the cars most charm
ing in discuss sing the subjects which embrace the
whole range Of human interest. And of the cars he
knew the history and condition of his rOadbcd tracks
and stations wherever we stopped. and I'M |
falling encyclopaedia 10 the condition OF each place
for term of years. and its prospective ircieas' as
contributing the tonnage and revenue of the country
He also knew the history of each mine the company
owned Its opening and Its output
" His failure railway manager was due 10 rs !
absolute reliance upon his Isolated judgment AMI his
apparent fOndncss for controversies with tn most !
powerful elements in the financial and railway world
ilestess in his schcmlng disposition. and with con-
reaching. he deficient in hard healed. plain com.
nonsense, which understands the present value OF |
borrowed without regard 10 liability which Is sure
TO end IN disaster"
PHILADELPHIA SHOCKED By THE NEWS.
Mr.. GowENs FRIENDS FINDING 1T HARD TO