The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-05-28


The Baltimore and Ohio became the city
of Baltimore and the state of Ohio and
controlled both.
John W. Garrett died in 1884, and
his son, Robert Garrett, succeeded him
as president of the B. and O. Robert
Garrett suffered the disadvantage Of
having great father. Robert Garrett
was luxurious millionaire The Gar
rett holding of B. and o. stock was
then 81 900 shares of the $50, 600.
Robert Garrett was the center of the
social system of Baltimore He wished
besides to rival his great father as q
railroad man.
There was one railroad between Phil
adelphia and Baltimore. Robert Gar
rett wanted it for the Baltimore and
Ohio Thomas A. Scott wanted it for
the Pennsylvania railroad.
That railroad was the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore. just at that
time it was naturally the most desira.
BILE thing in the world to the Baltimore
and Ohio and to the Pennsylvania
Robert Garrett generally got anything
he wanted. Wanting the Philadelphia.
Wilmington and Baltimore, he looked
around to see how he could get it. He
learned that several of the largest own
ers of the stock lived in Boston. They
owned almost half the stock, and with
that in his possession Robert Garrett
could easily get control OF the majority.
So he went to Boston. His negotia-
tions were eminently successful. His
offer for the stock was accepted. Robert
Garrett went to New York. Already in
his minds eye he saw the Baltimore
and Ohio trains rolling into the Phila-
delphia. Wilmington and Baltimore de-
pot at Broad and Prime streets, Phila-
delphia, for all that remained was to
sign some papers.
Now, be it remembered, Robert Gar
rett was never self contained man. He
drank deep. Arrived in New York, he
went to a dinner party with some of his
old friends. Some corporation lawyers
were among them.
At that dinner the bottle of cham
pagne that cost millions was opened.
Robert Garrett drank it. Flushed, he
could not keep his triumphant secret.
Congratulate me, he cried. "Drink
to the B. and o. and her outlet to Phil
adelphia. In two days will control the
p, W. and B. -
More corks popped. But one man,
whose legs were under the mahogany,
did not drink. He excused himself about
1Op. m., pleaded a pressing engagement
and left the table. He took the first
train he could catch to Philadelphia.
l,ox I,,- 30 %lo -
Thomas A. Scott, Rittenhouse square
and Eighteenth street. It was long aft
er midnight. He aroused Mr.. Scott, a
plain man. Mr.. Scott went down stairs
with his nightgown tucked in his trou-
sers and his stockingless feet in slippers.
The man who had dined with Robert
Garrett told Scott of Garrett's boast.
I'm two days?" unused Scott aloud.
"We'H see. %
Instantly Scott sent for his assistant,
Captain John P. Green. now vice presi
dent of the Pennsylvania railroad, and
for some of the directors. The confer
ence lasted until daylight That morn
ing Captain Green took the first train to
Boston. Other men close to Scott went
flying in the directions where they knew
p, w. and B. stock was held
By 2 O'Clock the next day the papers
were signed that gave the Pennsylvania
control of the Philadelphia, Wilmington
and Baltimore. The stock was to be de-
livered in New York that night. Cap
tain Green went to Philadelphia, and in
stantly returned to New York carrying
big satcheL The satchel booked as if
he was going on long journey. 1t was
fat and heavy. R. D. Barkley. assistant
to the president of the Pennsylvania,
helped Captain Green carry it.
That satchel contained more than $3,-
900, 900. Captain Green paid it down
ON the nail spot cash, and the p. W..
and B. shares were handed over to him.
When Robert Garrett awoke on what he