Telegram-herald., 1890-09-14
HE OWNS THE TOWN
An Absolutely Real Out And
Out Autocrat.
A BRIEF CHAT WITH PERRY HANNAH
Some of the Aftermath of the story of
the Trip OF the City Officials to the
North Country-HOw Perry Han
nah Became an Autocrat

Special Correspondence to TELEGRAN-HERALD.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich, Sept. l3.-
When Perry Hannah was speaking
to the Grand Rapids councilmen
Thursday evening, a traveller
who sat near remarked that he did not
see why such an autocrat should be so
honored. "Why," said he, "that man
practically owns this town, body and
breeches." And then he went on TO
tell how "the company" dominates
everything here.
In order to see for himself how this
thing was, your correspondent took
a way to ascertain which he thinks to be
one of the very best. Mr.. Hannah had
incidentally remarked, in his brief
speech, some of the hardships of early
life in Northern Michigan, saying that
snow shoes were the only engines OF
transportation during certain months of
the year. In order TO get fuller ac-
count, the newspaper man hired boy
to conduct HIM to Mr.. Hannah's resi-
dence. He had not seen ''the autocrat"
depart from the hotel, but supposed. of
course, that he had departed in his
coach IN great style, especially as he
was an aged man. But the boy earned
his money "too easy" for the old auto
crat WAS overtaken away down in the
darkness (for they do not light the
streets IN country towns with electricity
nor even with naphthal, and he was
sfoOt, trudglng homeward. Right there
IN the blackness of the night, the TELE-
GRAN-HERALD man, though a total
stranger, was taken for just what he
represented himself 10 be. With a
superb courtesy, the old man said: 1--WE
Will walk back to the Othce where We
can talk at our leisure" Other courte-
sizes were extended the newspaper man
with dellcacy which It would be al
most profane to make further men
ton OF.
The particular point which your cor
| respondent desired to BRING out WAS
whether or not the same autocrscy as
that which now curses tins village has
always dominated It, aud the history
tells decided yes The sin Of being
rich il still hard problem.
Mr.. Hannah said that ne came TO the
shores OF this bay IN May, lS5l, practi-
| caliy without dollar. lie had formed
! n copartnership with Mr.. Lay, but nei-
| ther OF them possessed any means.
1ney had foreseen the prospective
wealth Of the lumber 20 be msnufac-
! tured here. but 20 secure these profits,
/ almost blood would have to DC shed.
| They came and began operations with
scarcely anything bat their own bare
I hands Mr. hannah told tbs CORES
rondent that Mr.. lay actually held a
/ lantern in the night while Hannah and
/ others feiled thC trees from which Their
I first shipment of lumber was msnufac-
I iurej
Very early in the same year, a CO.
+ partnership vas formed Of four men
1 Wh1b continues 20 tbs day 8s It Ras
I noin, W. Hannah. Lay and the Mor-
I gans- The Aorgaus have never been
4 ngfve managers Of Zee business. but
! furu SIZED the frst captsl, end have
7 continued with the firm ever snce.
4 With Nr. Lay, they i've in Chicago.
Z During toe FIRST few Vcsrs. the Mcssrs.
+ Hannaa and lay used - eTcasaEs
4 % Fces % coming 90 Ir8Ferse ilfv ald
I taxing charge. but ss Mr. Hs0nsn Fas
( the n8trral iumhernlau cf tle gusrtet
( De- necafnf more and more the local
+ wanager 8rui uCH for very many
4 resrs. - has been the culE res dent
partner
ln fe WINTER months. w HANNAH
states. tae 1uiV way az zettne cot frr1i
Traverse tftV 60 o. eszo HRs 90 sroF-
-eoss. - Grand Rspa. At t1st SINE.