River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-06-11
A RUNAWAY TEAM.
Causes the Death of Austin corb

Causes the Death of Austin Corbin. the
Well-known Financier.
Newport. n. H., June 5.--Mr. Austin
Corbin and his grandson Corpin EdgelI,
with DIR. Paul Kunzier and coachman
John Stokes started on fishing trip
about three o'clock Thursday afternoon
On going out of the yard at the farm-
house, the horses SHE'D, tipping over tho
open carriage, throwing the occupants
down an embanlxment about eight fees
against a stone wall. The family saw
the accident from the piazza and hur-
ried to their assistance with the farm
help. They found Mr.. Corbin conscious
but terribly wounded. His nephew and
the doctor were also conscious. The
coachman was unconscious and appar-
emily hurt the worst of all. They were
carried to the house and doctors sum-
moned.
Mr.. Corbin's injuries were very seri-
GUS. compound fracture of the right
leg above the knee, fearful scalp
wound over four inches long on the
forehead, cut through to the skull; one
on the right side of the head three
inches long and the hip and chin cut
badly.
DIR. Kunzier was thrown over the wall
and sustained a broken arm and
sprained ankle, SO far as known, and
Corbin Edgell has his leg twice broken
between the knee and ankle.
John Stokes right leg was broken
between the knee and ankle, an dhe sus-
tanned fractured skull. Stokes died
from his injuries about six o'clock with
out regaining consciousness.
The cause of the horses siying Is said
to be from the fact that the coachman
was driving them for the first time with
out binders.
Mr.. Corbin died at e:42 Thursday
evening, shortly after the arrival of DIR.
Cilley from Boston. His son, Austin
Corbin, Jr., arrived on a special train
form Boston about IL o'clock, but too
late to see his father alive. All the other
members of the family with the excep-
ton of his son-in-law, Mr.. George 5.
Edgell, who is in the west. were present
when he breathed his last
[Mr. Corbin was born July II. 1877. near
Newport. N. H.. OF an old New England an
cestry. His father. farmer. was many
times elected a member OF the legislature
Of that state. Mr.. Corbin received hts
early education In the schools of his native
state. He afterward studied law with
Chief Justice Cushing, of New Hampshire.
and Gov. Metcalf. of Rhode Island, and
finished the course at the Harvard law
school. where he received his degree In
lS49. He practiced while at home. but i'm
1851 removed to Davenport. Ia. where he
remained until 1865. Though successful as
a lawyer. Mr.. Corbin did not practice long.
He became partner In 1854 Of the banking
firm of Macklot Il Corbin. which was the
only concern of the kind In Davenport
which did not suspend payment In the
financial panic of 1857.
Upon the passage OF the national bank
ing and currency act Of 1868 Mr.. Corbin.
though located far distant from the finan-
cial centers OF the country. was among
the first to apply for a charter under that
act. He organized and became the pres-
dent Of the First national bank OF Daven-
port which opened Its doors for business
June p. 1S63-the frs, In the country. the
second being the First national bank OF
Philadelphia, which commenced business
two days afterward. on July 1. The bank
was successful. and Mr.. Corbin was enabled
in 1866 to come to New York with a con-
siderable fortune. Here he founded the
Corbin Banking company and acquired In
terest after interest until he became one
of the leading fnanciers of the commu-
"
still larger lender OF money upon Iowa
farms, not only on his own account but for
moneyed Institutions and individual in
yestors in New York and New England,
the business having so grown as to engross
almost his whole attention. IL grew in
volume and rapidly extended over the
states of Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas
and oregon. and the territories OF Dakota,
Montana and Washington and finally over
the whole west and south.
Nor content with the personal manage
ment of the details of this vast business
he soon turned his attention TO railroad
affairs. His first experience in this direc-
ton of sny cons sequence grew from the
care of large Investments in the securities
Railroad company. which he successfully
reorganlzed In the interest of the bond
holders of all classes. Afterward he be-
came actively Interested In various rail-
road enterprises. but II was his connec-
ton with the Long Island railroad that
brought him most prominently before the
public as a railroad manager and financier
He bought into the control of the property
in December. 1880. January 1. 1881, he went
into possession as receiver and president of
the corporation.
Within the space of eight months a revo-
luton was wrought. From a condition
which made II the laughing stock of rail-
road men II became q Thoroughly equipped
and completed system, with numerous
branches reaching every part of the island,
and one OF the most reliable paying prop
critics In the state. AS In the case of the
indianapolis, bloomington Il Western
railroad he was virtually forced into Read
man who could save the company. ON
January /. 1883. he presented the property
to the stockholders not only I'm a solvent
condition. but with largely increased and
rapidly increasing revenue.