Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-10-22

ROSdlte IOeTt TO meet them
ences such defiance so long as it is not
leveled at the old institutions of aristoc-
racy; and this imagination particularly
relishes antinomian tendencies in the line
of contempt of northern rules, among
which are counted the revenue laws.
In some way Mr. Ellis embodied this
irrepressible southern defiance. He look
ed it, and his past career had accorded
with it.
On the other hand, he was gentle,
sweet voiced and almost amiable. He
had many of the elements OF greatness,
not the least of which was enthusiasm
and perfect self reliance. His operations
in illicit distilling had been on a rather
grand scale, and his profits had been cor
respondingly heavy; but his mastery
vantage in his settlement of the whole
matter with the revenue officials in such
way as to save his fortune and his lib
erty as we'll He had come to Savannah
with the reputation of brilliant fellow.
In fact, he was everywhere privately
discussed as hero, his achievements
and adventures losing nothing in the
course of frequent telling. He was well
aware of his prestige, and very quietly
he pursued the advantage it gave him.
He had determined to turn his energies
to strictly legitimate pursuits; but, while
nominally a broker in cotton, his
thoughts were fixed on large schemes in
another channel. He saw the broad field
that the south offered for railroad build
ing, especially southern Georgia and
Florida, to which field Savannah held
the key He began at once to study the
situation of all the railroads of Florida
and to gather information relative to
certain proposed lines. 1t was not long
till he had mastered such knowledge as
promised to serve his turn He planned
boldly, but with great care.
Before Mr. Roosevelt was aware Of
any move, the intrepid tyro in his own
field had got firm control of three pro-
posed routes, with land grants attached,
in Florida, and was negotiating with
New York capitalists for placing the
bonds and procuring money and iron for
building. 1t had been so cleverly ex-
ecuted that Mr.. Roosevelt was compelled
to admire and respect the genius of the
man who had originated it. But ii
called for prompt action. A telegram
was sent to Mr.. Largely requiring him
to come to Savannah at once. An out
line of the dangerous break in the plan
they had made at Chicago, caused by
this brilliant coup of Ellis, was EN-.
bodied in the dispatch, The answer was
short but it meant good deal:
start today Edgar Julian will be with me-
LARGELY.
Mr.. Roosevelt saw at once that Ellis
had in him the germ of success, and he
viewed him as all the more dangerous on
account of his youth and inexperience.
Genius is often successful where trained
experience would fail; it is the success
of audacity backed by enthusiasm.
The telegram from Mr.. Largely was
the first intimation received at Roose
welt Place of Edgar Julian's return tc
Chicago In fact he had just arrived
from New York, and calling at once on
Mr.. Largely had found the latter quite
excited over the dispatch from Savan
nah. To Mr. Largely this opportune re-
turn of his lawyer and financial adviser
was great relief 1t lifted heavy re
sponsibility, and gave mighty impetus
to his energy
Mr.. Roosevelt himself felt that gooG
deal might justly be expected of Julian
in the sharp struggle which must soor
begin, astruggle which would ultimately
involve the ownership of the most valu
able railroad in Florida.
Sir Edmond Kane, distinguished
English baronet, and the representative
of large London capital, had arrived il
New York and would soon be at Jack
sonville with view to capturing por
ton of the system projected by Messrs
Roosevelt and Largely
There was no time to be lost. Vigor.
Gus action and comprehensive Judgment
were called for There must be com
bination of forces and interests 1
struck Mr. Roosevelt suddenly that hi
grand schemes were liable to burst al
any moment
Mr. Frank Ellis went right on, once
he had started in his railroad operations
The newspapers began to be full of his
doings. He was called a Southern jim
Fiske, a young Vanderbilt and hi
power and influence increased prodi
giously He had gained the confidence
d. and aid of New York capitalists, and hi
energy seemed without limit 1t was ~
if mountain storm had struck the stag
nant waters of Savannah's tinancia
circles The bankers and brokers al
looked out to see what it could mean,
Rosalie soon became aware of Mr.
Ellis brilliant movements though h.
never mentioned them to her She reat
the newspapers, and Colonel Talbot oftel
spoke in high praise of the young rail
road king from the Cherokee hills, VIII
was revolutionizing internal improve
ments in Florida and southern Georgia
She could not help feeling certail
pride in Ellis success, on the score tina
he was from the pocket Of cours
his success. as yet consisted OF mer
movements which pointed out his aims
for there had not been time for anything
more His race had just begun but hi
pace was astonishing Meantime the ei
feet of his rapid operations was immense
ly exaggerated by the newspapers, som
accounts went 30 far as to place him il
undisputed control of all the railroads il
Florida.
Rosalie's imagination found food Il
the idea of this young mountainee
conquering the low country She wa
glad to hear Mr. Roosevelt declare tina
Ellis operations were all legitimate, an