The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-12
WON AND LOST.
Some Interesting Incidents in the
Life of Henry Meiggs.

Henry Meiggs, the builder of the great
South American railways, has been dead
nearly thirteen years. Although he was a
North American, no man was better known
in South America than he. The following
story, illustrating his equanimity of tenn
per, is related by DR.. L. III. Heath of
Kansas City, who was intimately con-
nected with him during his great enterprises
in the South American republics. Meiggs'
good temper at all times was one of his
characteristics.
"One day, during the construction of the
Peruvian Railway, he was sitting in his Of
fiee," says DIR. Heath. "An American en-
tered, and, without even the formality of
introducing himself, asked Meiggs for
loan of 100000.
"He would not tell what he wanted it for,
nor could he give any security. Msiggs
good-naturediy told the audacious stranger
that he could not let such a lot of money 60
on such an uncertain proposition.
livery WE'LL, answered the visitor, with
no show Of anger. You will regret your
decision, however, and it will cost you
more than 100000 Meiggs dismissed the
mans threat with its maker and thought
no more of either.
''The next issue of the Rationale. the
official paper Of Peru, came out with sen.
satiOnal statement, amply backed up with
details, pronouncing the fills along the road
which Meiggs was building to be botched.
sit declared that the nils were made of
cactus, covered only with earth enough to
give them the appearance of solidity. With
the decay of the vegetable matter the fills
would sink, the article continued, and it
concluded with an appeal to the Peruvian
Congress TO appoint commission of inves-
''Ths article was followed by others, and
at last the legislative body did appoint
commission to investigate. Meiggs was
compelled to charter steamer and take the
commission to the works, all the time feed
ing them on the best the market provided
at his own expense.
Then every fill had to have a shaft sunk
to its depths in various and different places
to convince the commission. Every thing
was found all right, and the commission SO
reported to the Government.
"Meiggs was exonerated, but the author of
the articles, who was the man who Meigg5
had refused 100000, was never punished
"Meiggs declared that the articles cost
him 81, 100000. Some time afterward, one
day when was in Meiggs' Office, an Ameri-
can entered and talked with Meiggs for some
time, the conference ending with Meiggs
lending him $4,000 and promising $4,000
more if he needed it,
Their demeanor toward each other was
pleasant. The stranger arose to 60, and as
he did so Meggs brother entered the office.
At the sight Of the American his face
flushed with anger and he clenched his
fists.
1.-THE. stranger made hasty exit and
Meiggs' brother said angrily: How dare
that scOundrel come into this Officer
ITO this Meiggs laughingly said, adj
dressing me and referring to his brother:
He'd be pretty one to make a contract
with any one, wouldn't hep Meiggs then
related the story of the articles in the Ma
tOnale, and at the conclusi ON added:
That man who just left is the man who
asked for the loan and wrote the Rationale
articles
"Meiggs treated him as if nothing had
ever occurred between them. He then
and there entered into another railroad
scheme with the audacious stranger which
Melted each of them $1,000. 0OO."-Kansas
CITY Star