The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-20
MIR. PULLAIAN'S CAREER.
From Furniture Worker to Builder of
Palace and Sleeping Cars.


In both the old and new worlds the name
of George Mortimer Pullman is honored as
that of a man who reduced greatly the in
evitable WEAKNESS and discomfort of rail-
road travelling. He was not the inventor
Of the sleeping car, but the improvements
IN its structure originated by him and the
large number of cars made by the Pullman
Palace-car Company give him, perhaps, the
first place in the records of the invention
lie was born in Chautauqua county, New
York March 3, 1881, where his father was
known as a good mechanic. The boy re-
ceived common-school education, and in
due time was placed at work in a furniture
establishment. The lengthening Of the
Erie canal, begun soon afterward, gave
him the opportunity of securing the ap-
pointment of contractor for the erection of
the buildings needed along the course of
the extension. When twenty-eight years of
age Mr.. Pullman removed to Chicago, and
busted himself, very successfully in raising
buildings of the city to grade without the
interruption of business. This great under
taking is justly cited as a triumph of me-
chanical ingenuity Many large stone and
brick buildings were raised several feet
without serious injury and loss of time to
owners and occupants
While riding in an old-fashioned sleeping
car from Buffalo to Westfield N. Y, it oc-
Cured to Mr.. Pullman that there was a
field for building comfortable sleeping
coaches. In 1859 he fitted up two cars be-
longing to the Chicago & Alton Railroad
With sleeping berths. They were liked and
admired, but the manufacture of railroad
sleeping berths was not pushed until some
years after. In 1860 Mr.. Pullman left Chi
cago to mine in Colorado, from which oc-
cupation he retired in 1863, and henceforth
devoted himself to the augmentation of
comfort in travel. A workshop was rented,
skilled mechanics employed, and Mr.. Pull
man threw himself into the task with the
ardor or man who moves from settled
convictions. Although without mechanical
training himself, he personally directed the
putting the ideas he had originated into
material form. The firts car, the Pioneer"
was completed early in 1866 at a cost of
most perfect railway vehicle the world had
ever seen. This was the beginning of the
Pullman system which has grown to the
present enormous proportions.
Mr.. Pullman was identified with almost
every public enterprise in Chicago. In
1880, owing to the growing demands of his
manufacturing interests he put into execu-
ton pet theory for the establishment of a
model town as home for his car works
and the thousands of employees. A site was
selected on the shore of Lake Calumet,
twelve miles south of Chicago. Mr.. Pullman
devoted his personal attention to the erec-
ton OF the little city and succeeded even
beyond his own expectations in making it
model town. Pullman now has population
of 11,000
Mr. Pullmans residence on Prairie ave-
nue., where he died, is one of the most de-
delightful in Chicago. 1t is surrounded by
garden of most beautiful flowers in
which graceful palms occupy an important
place At the southern end of the property
stands the Massacre monument" on the
site of the old tree which marked the de-
struction of so many citizens and soldiers
after the destruction of Fort Dearborn in
August, 1912. The tree was removed some
years ago to the court of the Chicago His
torical Society, and the place where it stood
was marked by a bronze group, illustrating
the rescue of Mrs. Helmby Black Partridge,
and some Of the incidents of the tragic
event.
The wealth Of Mr.. Pullman is variously
estimated at from $12, 100000 to $50, 900 600
His financial interests were confined to a
few corporations. the bulk of the holdings
being stock in the Pullman Palace Car Com
pany, of which he owned about one-ffth.
Some stock was also held in Diamond Match
and New York Biscuit.
The deceased millionaire was married in
1867 to Miss Hattie Sanger, of Chicago He
was brother of the Rev. DR.. j. NJ. Pull
man, of New York former editor of the
Christian Leader. He leaves two sons, San
ger and George NJ. jr., and two daughters,
Mrs Carolan, of San Francisco, and Mrs
Frank o. Louden, of Chicago.