The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-03-02

-CO.
ney, one of the engineers of the Albany
d Schenectady, the first railroad built III
this country, as to the feasibility of con-
structing railroad across the continent
to Oregon, and the idea of Pacific rail
road appears always to have had an attrac-
ton for him
Before 1860, the rich silver strike had
been madein Nevada, which was afterward
known as the Comstock lode This drew
large emigration TO the new mines, and
great quantities of supplies were trans
ported over tue Serras by mule and OK
teams. There was also considerable trade
carried on with Salt Lake and the country
north of it. The project presented itself |
to Stanford that if the construction of a |
railroad across the mountains was feasible |
a monopoly of this business might be Sc
cured, and if, as he felt confident, the ven
ture proved successful, it would result |
eventually in the building of transcon-
tinental line. G. p. Huntington, Charles |
Croker and Mark Hopkins, who were also |
merchants in Sacramento at that time,
were consulted, and it was decided to make
a personal inspection of the proposed
route. General Judah, an accomplished
engineer, accompanied the party and they
started on horseback to climb the summit
obstacles to the building of railroad, but
he was overruled, and it was decided to
make the attempt. A railroad company
was incorporated July ], 1861, though little
work was done till the fall of 1868. and in
1864, the first thirty miles were graded.
I'VE knew the only competitors of a
railroad,,' said the governor, would be the
mule and OK teams then used, and. there
fore, we would De able to ask price for
| transportation which would justify the
construction of the read"
BUILDING RAILROADS.
"Stanford's Pacific railroad scheme as
it was then sneeringly spoken of by San
Francisco capitalists, was considered a
very doubtful enterprise, and until 1864, no
one would have anything to do with 1t.
1t does not speak very well for the bust
ness foresight of our people that only ten
shares, amounting to 81, 0Ga, was subscribed
for in this city. The work went ahead,
however, through all sorts of difficulties,
both nf-sural and financial. The last spike
was driven at PromoutoTy Point, Utah,
May 10, 1862 and an electric wire attached
to the silver handle of a hammer held in
Stanford's hand flashed the tidings across
the continent. AT the conclusion of his
gubernatorial term, Stanford refused all
political preferment, remarkinC that ''he
would rather build the Central Pacific rail
road than be President of the United
States" and he never held any public Office
until his election TO the United States
Senator in 1885.
The business success of the venture of
Stanford and his associates, three or four
country merchants, was something marvel
GUS. The first ten years their net cash
earnings amounted to nearly twenty mil
lion of dollars, and the corporation ac
CURED a richer property than the East
India company during the two and half
centuries of its existence.
FOND OF HORSES.
Fifteen years ago Senator Stanford
bought Mohawk Chief, son of Rysdick'
; Hambletonian, General Benton and some
l thirty head of brood mares of Lexington
stock, and at Palo Alto, thirty miles soutt
of this city, started his breeding farm, tn,
products Of which have become famous al
over the world. He now has nearly eight
hundred animals there Of all ages from The
newly dropped foal to the great sire, Elec
. tioneer, over twenty one years old. Herr
was bred Bell Boy, VINO sold over veal
ago for $4,000; Kinda hose, who has
three yearol record of 2:lgl5, and Sunol
: with a three year-old record of 2:lS, lately
sold to Robert Bonner for a very larg,
|. price.
ford, Jr., University. established in mem
4 DRY of his only son, who died at Florence
Italy, a few years ago, is located. No 10
5 stituton of learning was ever founded TO
which its protector had loftier aims an,
more liberal purposes than this. AS Sc
forth in the grant of endowment, the uni
: versity is intended ''to qualify students TO
u personal success ana direct usefulness il
u life and TO promote the public welfare b.
;, exerting an influence IN behalf of human
= ity and civilization; teaching the blessing
y of liberty regulate by law and intoxicating
love and reverence for the great principle
d of government as derived from the inalen
o able rights of man TO life, liberty and tn
, pursuit of happiness"
) Both sexes are TO be admitted, and tn
e advantages will be shared alike by NAL,
and female. tits expected that tae univer
: sity will be ready for the reception of it
{ students October 1st next. The cost o
Il the buildings, which will probably excee
{ 81 000.00 is not included in the endow
Z ment of real estate, cash, libraries. etc
+ which viii amount 10 $4,000, coo in value
b No such princely endowment was ever be
e slowed upon an Institution of learning bt
) fore
. MILLIoNAIRE'S HABITS.
- Senator Stanford is splendid specime
e of American manhood. He is large an
1t imposing He has a massive, deep head
II prominent jaws; round, close shut mouth
i superlauye grey eyes, which of late year
is since the loss of his son, have assumed
Sc tinge of sadness; a high forehead, and h
N face has firmness, energy and Intelligent
I'd depicted on every feature. His voice
ut pleasant and well modulated, and ne is
II most interesting talker. He dresses vel
plainly, though with care and neatnes
When in San Francisco he rises at Z :
every morning, eats a hearty breakfa
:, and walks TO his office, distance of a mi