The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-12-03

er state convinced him that he was in
the wrong pew, and it was only by adj
mirable business judgment that he
managed to save himself from heavy
loss.
Shanghai" returned to Texas and
has made his home here ever since. He
established ranch in Wharton coun-
ty, got together bunch of cattle, and
began raising beeves on his own ac-
count, while incidentally he did such
trading as he could. He prospered
amazingly AS his capital grew larger
he purchased tracts of land or added to
his herd of cattle. In those times
yearling belonged to the man who man
aged to get his brand ON it first and
Shanghai" like all the other cattle
men, was in continual warfare. "Shang-
hal" got mixed up in several gun"
plays, but always came out on top.
Those We're the days that tried mems
souls-at least, cattlemen's souls-and
there is no one but will admit that
Shanghai had courage equal to the
gamest man in the state.
But despite feuds and petty warfares,
despite gums" and buster, Shanghai
attended strictly to business. His
range widened, his herds grew and
soon he doomed up as the biggest cattle
man in the state. He attended to all
his affairs himself, was continually on
the go, visited every section in which
he had cattle, took his steers to mar
ket at the right time, and supervised
every detail of his scattered business
with watchfulness and care that were
surprising to his competitors. Some
how 1t seemed that Shanghai always
did get things just right, whether it
was in the time for selling cattle or the
selection of land for grazing. His. cat
| tie were always as good as the best
| that went to market from Texas.
With his continued success "Shang-
hai'' began to have more money than
he could conveniently handle in his or
binary business. He loaned out the
surplus at a good percentage, and has
continued doing so up to the present
time.
| What he Is worth to-day neither he
nor any living man knows for cer-
tainty. I saw an inventory Of his be-
longings which was prepared in 1894.
1t showed that he then owned $4,000
acres of land, had $4,000 head Of cattle,
had 100000 out at interest, and had
| property here and there which brought
his entire possessions up to $4,000
This inventory was on very conser-
vative basis, and was prepared under
his direction. Since 1894 he has had the
three most prosperous years in his ca
reer, and has added greatly to his
wealth. Cattle in 1924 were cheap.
To-day they are selling for the highest
price reached in thirty years. The
| lands which Mr.. Pierce owned have
appreciated in value. Not only that,
but he has picked up a large tract in
the Indian territory, and has estab-
lished a ranch there. Judging by the
inventory mentioned, 1t would appear
that he is worth to-day at least four
million dollars.
There is no doubt that "shanghai's"
education has been more practical than
poetic. In illustration of this I may
| tell a story about the one vacation that
Mr.. Pierce is known to have taken in
4 the sixty-three years of his life. He
i went abroad. He visited London and
Paris, and Berlin and Vienna, and
4 Florence and Milan, and the deuce only
i knows where. In Rome he stood near
| the spot where Rienzi addressed the
multitude, he rested within the shades
of st. Peters, he saw the Vatican and
the Quirinal, and he gaved out upon the
seven hills. He saw it all. And when
he came back and one of his friends
asked him where he had visited
Shanghai told him all the places.
what did you think of Rome?" his
friend asked him.
ct saw some mighty fine cattle just
outside Of that town." was "Shang-
hairs reply.
Mr.. Pierce is big and bluff and
hearty. The frugal, temperate habits
he learned in the early days in little
| Rhody he still retains. He lives simply
but well. There is no ostentatior
| about him. He drinks occasionally, but
sparingly. He never uses tobacco, an6
| doesn't want anybody about him who
does. He is a curious mixture of the
| Yankee and the Texan. Some people
do not like him. If he likes any one
particularly well, if he takes fancy t.
person, that person has his utmost
confidence. Here is an examples Some
years ago Shanghai" did his banking
business in Gavelston at the Island Cit!
Bank. In that bank was young mar
| named Ed. Mccarthy. This young mai
attended to Pierces affairs. He was
polite, accurate and sharp. In many
instances he went out OF his way to &C
: commodate Shanghai" Mr.. Pierce a
! the time showed no evidence of appre
citation. To-day that young man Is {
member Of the big banking house o
Weekes, Mccarthy & Co., Of this city
He runs the banking end of the estab
lishment exclusively. Shanghai i
: the company" Mr.. Pierce not onl.
provided the capital for the bank, blu
. the prestige of his great wealth is be
} hind it. 1t is understood that just be
fore the last presidential election, whel
. money was fearfully tight and whel
banks were threatened with disaster /
BRYAN was elected, Mr.. Pierce sent
message somewhat after this fashion t
: Mccarthy:
J Eddie: If you are bothered for read.
| money or If you see a good chance t.
place it I can let you have seven hun
, | dred thousand dollars"
"Shanghai's' home, when he is a
, | home is at Pierce Station, on tn
: Southern Pacific road. To the minds O
l some people there is little to attract
: person at Pierce Station. The countr
: is bald prairie. The home Of Mr.. Pierc
} | is plain and commodious. 1t is we