Evening star., 1896-07-29
ROBERT GARRETTs CAREER.

Devoted Himself to Charitable Work
Since His Retirement From Business.
Robert Garrett second Of the late
John W. Garrett, who was as is we'll
known. for many years president Of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad Company was
born in Baltimore. Md. April 8, 1s47.
After receiving his preliminary education
in the best schools of his native city, he en-
tered Princeton College, where he was
classmate of John X. Cowen, the present
president of the Baltimore and Ohio and
graduated in 1865. While at Princeton
a warm attachment sprang up between the
two young men, and this eventuated in Mr..
Cowen being invited in 1872 by President
Garrett, at Roberts suggestion, to accept a
position in the legal department of the Bal
timore and Ohio Company.
After leaving college Robert Garrett went
to Europe, where he spent considerable time
in travel returning. however, to the United
States in 1871. at which time he entered the
Baltimore and Ohio service as assistant to
the president.
A little later he was elected president of
the Valley division of the Baltimore and
Ohio, extending from Harper's Ferry, w.
Va. to Lexington. Va, and during his ad-
rlinistration which continued until Febru-
ary. 1879 the road was brought up to
high state of efficiency. and developed into
of the most valuable feeders or the
Baltimore and Ohio system.
Retiring from the management OF the VAL
ley road in 1919 he again devoted several
years to travel in various parts OF the
world and in recreation, and On October g.
1879. he was elected third vice president OF
the B. and o. He was advanced to the po-
sfton of first vice president July IL, 1881,
and remained such until the death of his
father October, 1884, when the directors of
the company elected him acting president,
and month later president.
His first step of importance after assum-
Ing control of the great system was to
fn trOl of ha md
B. railroad. in which he was thwarted by
the Pennsylvania company when apparent
ly upon the eve of success.
Then followed the building OF a parallel
line to Philadelphia in the face of legal
and physical obstacles which seemed in
surmountable. Soon after this he sold the
baltimore and Ohio telegraph system to
the Western Union Company.
Mr.. VanderbiIrs Sudden Death.
1t was while these negotiations and others
of like magnitude were in progress that
Mr.. Garrett was closeted in conference with
the late William n. Vanderbilt in the lat
ter's mansion in New York. when the lat
ter fell dead almost in Mr. CARROTS arms.
This shock together with the great ner-
vous strain under which he had been for
80 long a time, completely unhinged Mr..
CARROTS mind. and it became necessary
to place him in some private retreat The
country home of ex-Mayor Abram S. Hew
lit of New York. at Ringwood. N. j., was
selected for this purpose. and there Mr..
Garrett lived for nearly a year.
Gave Up Active Work.
He continued as president until October
II. 1887. when he resigned, since which
time he has lived quiet life: during that
period travelling great deal both in this
and foreign countries.
During Mr.. CARROTS incumbency of the
office of president of the B. and o. the
haa of fha !
the solution of financial problems which
proved too much for Mr.. Garrett's health
and for more than nine years he was an
invalid.
Mr.. Garrett was married about fifteen
years ago to Miss Mary Frick. daughter
of William F. Frick, q leading capitalist
of Baltimore. who survives Him
The deceased was very wealthy, and be-
sides his large holdings in the Baltimore
and Ohio he owned magnificent residence
on Mount Vernon Place. Baltimore. beau
tiful country seat. called "Uplands,' few
miles out of the city: an interest in the
banking house of Robert Garrett & Sons,
and other valuable property.
Works of Charity.
For a number Of years past, especially
since retiring from the presidency of the
Baltimore and Ohio. Mr.. Garrett devoted
himself to works of charity, and was es-
pecially solicitous for the welfare of poor
end sick little children whose forlorn con-
ultlOn was brought TO the attention of Mrs.
Garrett or himself In order to make as
many of these unfortunates as happy as
Possible. he several years ago purchased
a fine estate on some of the highest hills
In western Maryland. and here he and
Mrs Garrett built cottages so that chill
dren whose parents could not afford to
give them an outing could be taken to the
Mrs. Mary Garrett Sanitarium, as 1t was
called and kept there as long as they or
their parents desired them to stay. He also
had in his employ for the institution at
high salaries physicians and surgeons. who
were regarded as specialists in their line,
and trained nurses. so that the children
intrusted to the care of those who repre-
sented him should suffer for nothing
In addition to this Mr.. Garrett has for
many years provided the funds for con-
Quoting a large children's hospital in the
western part Of the city of Baltimore,
which has been the means Of doing a vast
amount of good and where hundreds of
chiidren are given medical or Surgical at
tendance each month
1t Is hardly probable that Mr.. CARROTS
death will affect either of these institu-
tions, as Mrs Garrett takes the most ac-
tive interest In both. and will doubtless see
that the money to continue the good work
will be provided.