Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-10-24

proposed road, and there the work stop
ped.
Shortly after the Black Diamond sys
lem was organized the company under
look to build belt line road around
GAINESVILLE. The Pennsylvania and the
Black Diamond were competitors for the
franchise, and in some inexplicable way
Boone secured it for the latter company.
The Black Diamond didn't control
enough cash to build the road, and at
this juncture appears one of the most
daring things in the history of railroad
construction. Boone undertook to con-
ascate, since he was unable to buy the
property through which the road was to
run, relying upon Governor Foraker,
with the power of the State of Ohio be-
hind him, to extricate him in case he
should get into difficulty.
Colonel Boone carried things with
high hand. He laid track across pri-
vate property at night when an injunc-
ton could not be secured, but when he
attempted to cross the B. & o. railroad
tracks in similar way the indignation
broke loose and a regular riot was pre-
cipitated. Then Boone sounded the
alarm and Governor Foraker rushed to
the rescue. AS Governor of Ohio he or
iered out and sent troops to GAINESVILLE
to protect the Black Diamond, of which
he was general counsel, in it's violent
warfare upon the rights Of private citi-
Eens. This is one of number of re-
markable instances which show the au-
dacity of the present Governor of Ohio.
Colonel Boone had survey made
through the city of Mansfield for one
branch of the system and on the strength
of it he tried to bunko Mansfield out OF
$50, 900. One faction of the citizens of
the town, with no money but great lung
power, wanted to raise the fund, but the
solid business men, headed by Henry
c. Hedges, Senator Sherman's right
hand man, strenuously opposed it. The
Mansfield News, the paper which be-
longs to w. s. Cappeller, one of Fora
ker's most willing tools, doomed the pro-
posed road, doubtless under instructions
from headquarters. The Shield and
Banner Democratic) and the Mansfield
Herald (anti-Foraker) threw cold water
on the project, and, as a result, Mans
field still has $50, 1000 more than she 9TH
erwise would have had. Boone charged
at the time that Sherman was at
the back of the opposition because
Foraker was in cahoots with the road. ;
In other towns, however, Boon was
more successful than in Mansfield.
Gallon subscribed $4,000 to the pro-
moters' stock while the citizens of Mt.
Vernon, Mt. Gilead, and many other
towns and villages subscribed literally.
No one knows how much money the
company got from the promoters stock,
but it is fair to assume that the general
counsel got his share, since none of it
was used in building the roads.
The general offices of the Black Dia-
mond system were atZanesville. A fine
piece of property belonging to Henry
Blandy, worth probably $75, 900, was sold
under forced sale to the Black Diamond
system for $4,000. Only one payment
was made and the property is still
plastered with mortgages, or, at least, it
was six months ago. The building was
fitted up in the most gorgeous fashion.
To enter the building was to be dazzled
by the seeming prosperity of the con-
cern. There were electric lights galore
and big, gilt display signs on the doors
of the different apartments. One had
President, another Treasurer, others
Engineer, Passenger Agent, Car Ac-
countant, etc. A huge iron vault stood
in the presidents Office. Every thing
was calculated to impress the uniniti-
ated with the idea that here were the
headquarters of gigantic railroad sys-
tenn. Farmers were enticed off the line
of these various paper roads and,
overcome by the magnitude of the
thing, they were relieved of their
money with the neatness and dispatch
usually ascribed to the old time green
goods business. The farmers and other
persons who had subscribed to the pro-
noters' stock were frequent but unwel.
come visitors at headquarters. They
came to know why the road wasn't
built and instituted general kick all
around. Boone assured the anxious ones
that every thing was regular and all
right, and he would allay their fears by
pointing to the big si"ns and beautifully
Autographed bonds lich, he affirmed,
were to be sold shortly. All manner OF
excuses were resorted to stave off the
persistent inquirers. Boone claimed that
other roads had established system OF
espionage etoprevent him from selling the
bonds. At one time when he was close
pressed by promises that the bonds were
to be sold on certain date he placed his
right arm in sling and carried it so for
weeks. He insisted that he had nego-
tiated sale but was unable to affix his
signature to the bonds in his official Ca
pacity as president Of the system. 1t
was one of the many ruses adopted by
Boone when he was confronted by his
victims. Whenever there was crisis
like this Boone would run over to Co
lumbus to consult with Foraker and
Foraker would come to GAINESVILLE to
consult with Boone.
Colonel Boone also embarked in vari-
GUS side enterprises of considerable
magnitude, for all of which Foraker
was general counsel. He organized
company for the manufacture of soap
with capital stock of $1,OOO,OOO. The
works were to to be called 'Soapdale"
and were to be counterpart of" Ivory.
dale" the thriving little village outside
of Cincinnati where ivory soap is manu-
factured. OF course no soap was ever