The herald., 1895-06-06
More "reminiscences OF Old Git
izens and Old Times
Mr.. HOLLENBECK'S METHODS
Business Is Business But Not Always
HeartIessIy So
Growth of the City as Evidenced by the
Building Permits "A Tract Now Out
of the Market

Referring to the reminiscent conversa-
ton of ex-Sheriff James G. Rays in re-
gard to investments made in business
property in this city by the late J. Il.
Hollenbeck as published on Thursday
morning. NJ. Il. fl. Hewitt recalled
some other items about the property men
toned the corner of Second aad Spring,
and of Mr. Hollenbeck. its purchaser.
when Mr.. Hollcnbeck, in 1884, de-
termincd to improve the property" said
two-story and very plain structure, with
basement, to cover the entire lot. No
sooner was this determination known
among his business friends and associates
than with almost one voice they at
tempted to dissuade him from his pur-
pose, rdiculing the idea of his going so
far down to build, asserting that he was
actually intending to waste good money
by digging hole under IT, and other
wise qestioning his business Judgment.
But MI. Holenbeck had surveyed the
field and planned accordingly, and ex-
pressed himself as being weary of the talk
of so-cailed business men, and steadily
proceeded with his undertaking.
"rne stream of ridiCule may have left
some trace of influence. for when mum
be. of the Masonic fraternity urged him
to make the building three stories in
height, the third story to be Il Masonic
hall, he did not see it quite to his ad-
vantage to alter his plans by adding an
other story to the block. AS q com
mentary on his business associates of
that period you will call to mind the 1act
that Mrs. Holenbeck a few years later
raised the structure to four stories, the
expense being greatly increased from the
necessity Of Strengthening the lower por-
ton.
But little further back, when Mr..
Coulter moved his dry goods store into
the corner room, IN November, 1891, so
uncertain was this business movement
generally thought to be thar he retained
his establishment in the Baker block,
where he had been for several years. He
closed that place in year. however.
"You might add another paragraph
right here, as an offset to some of the in
flucnces around Mr.. Hollenbeck: Mr.. II.
Z. Haines. then of the Western Union
telegraph and firm believer in Los An
geles and everything around it, was
about the only one who sought out Mr..
Hollenheck and encouraged him in his
enterprise, insisting then, as always since,
that young men were then living who
would see the greater part of the business
OF the city done south of Second street,
with the business center nearer Sixth
street. Make note of the rapid approach
to the realization of this exceedingly
rash prophecy Mr.. Haines was at that
time credited with.
81 will give you another instance of
how Mr.. Hollen beck ignored and violated
the ethics of the rule that business is
business in his deals. of the same tenor
as mentioned by Mr.. Kays. grand in
stance of a. successful business man hav-
ing a heart IN him. In the years of
1867 Mr.. Hollenbeck had mortgage
on mans ranch. The seasons were un-
propitious and the debtor was unable to
pay out. He went to Mr.. Hvllenbeck and
asked the privilege OF deciding him the
ranch and be released. This was declined,
and the man was urged to mold on an
other year, for surely there would be a
change for the better But next followed
the terrible drought year of 1877, which
so many remember with horror, owing
to the widespread and frlghttul prostra-
tion. The debtor once more went to ask
release, being. utterly Frustrated and
discouraged. This time, after a friendly
interview. Mr.. Hollenbeck accepted a
deed OF the ranch, paying all costs of
transfer himself. He then drew a check,
payable to his former debtor, naming a
good round sum, babe him a pleasant
goodby. telling him that the paper was
INTENDED to aid him in starting in the
world oEce more
Many other acts of this nature stand
to Mr.. Hollenbeck's credit. 1t is regreta-
BILE that his example is not more generally
contagious.