The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-25

John WitkO, Ridge cor. weston avenue.
George Jurko, Main cor. Ridge street.
We're talking with him about ii and
endcavored to console him for his de-
feat. They told him it was a shame
and disgrace and all that kind of
thing, and that the Republican politic-
ians had simply sold him out.
"Oh, don't worry about that" said
Mr.. Blair. I'm not worrying a Bit. I
have had the benefit OF a lot OF eXper-
ience. | wouldn't begin to part with
that experience for what 1t cost me.
You see. | was like the fellow down in
Missouri who raised hogs. He had al
ways marketed them i'm St. Louis.
Somebody told him that he could get a
good deal more money for his hogs in
Chicago. So he set out to drive a lot
to Chicago. When he got there he
found the market had just switched
around and hogs We're worth mucn
more in st. Louis. When he found this
out he remarked: Well, if 1 haven't
got any money, I've had the society
of the hogs. l wasn't elected COVER
nor, it is true but | have had the So
ciety of the finest lot of hogs you ever
saw"
GOT A NEW ROAD.
Several years ago Mr.. Blair leased
one of his western roads to another
railroad company. According to the
terms Of the lease. the lessees were to
return the road in as good condition
as when they took it, and, in the mean
time, were to make all repairs at their
expense. When the lease expired and
Mr.. Blair inspected the road, he found
that it's condition was far from as
good as when he leased it. He de-
manded that the damages be repaired.
The lessees refused and Mr.. Blair
brought suit. Th state where the case
was tried and through part of which
the road ran was noted for it's fresh
cts. During the trial, while Mr.. Blair's 8
lawyer was making the argument for
the plaintiff, the old gentleman strolled
out of the court room into the street
1t was raining-it was the spring of
the year, or rather, just at the break
ing up Of winter-and Mr.. Blair
thought he saw signs of an approach
ing freshet. Quickly returning to the
court room, he pulled the coattail of
his LAWYER and in a low voice said:
Withdraw"
The LAWYER didn't understand and
Mr.. Blair repeated:
Withdraw. Give up. Tell 'em we
won't contest"
The lawyer didn't understand what
his client was getting at, but he knew
Mr.. Blair'S wishes were not to be dis
obeyed and so he made a little speech
to TIE court in which he said that his
client was q peaceable man; that he
was getting along in years, and that
he desired him to discontinue the suit.
| The defendant didn't know what to
make of it, but the suit was discon-
| tinued and they were in high feather.
| That night the floods descended and
| the winds blew, and one OF the worst
| freshets ever known in that part of the
| country occurred. Whole sections OF
Mr.. Blairs railroad were washed away,
| ties, tracks and all. Much of the roll
| ing stock, even, was destroyed. The
| result was that Mr.. Blair got prac-
| tically a new road and a lot of new
rolling stock at the expense of the
| leSseeS.
ALLEY VS.. BLAIR.
At one time the late John r. Alley
was associated in business with Mr.
Blair. Differences arose between them
and they separated. Then Alley sued
| Blair to recover S2,500000. When the
case came to trial Mr.. Blair was not
ready and his counsel asked for an ad-
! Journment. The request was granted
but the court directed that the defend.
/ ant furnish a bond for double the
amount of the sum i'm dispute. When
the announcement was made Blaii
| arose and said:
LAS ! understand it, the bond re.
| quired will be for s., 900, ,O00" He was
! assured that his understanding was
! correct, and he then said: 81 rather ex.
/ pected something OF this kind would
be necessary, and so l came armed.
| suppose these will answer in lieu of q
| bond"
With that he went down into a small
satchel and brought out $4,000, 900 II
government bonds. The Judge looked
at Mr.. Blair and then looked at tht
bonds. and when he had recovered
from his astOnishment he said:
"These are quite satisfactory, but
will make you the custodian of them
with the distinct understanding tina
none of them shall be used while tn,
bond is i'm force
Your Honor need not be uneasy OF
That score said Mr., Blair. 81 brough
these here for this especial purpose.
will have no need of them until thi
suit is decided"
RETIRED.
Mr.. Blair has not been particular,
active in business affairs for the pas
four years, but not until year ago die
old age compel him to give up his bust.
ness For nearly year he has no
left his room. A trained nurse con
stantly attends him, and it is only FOL
a part Of the day three or four time,
Il week, that he is helped from his be,
to "A great armchair near the window
from which he looks out over the town
he founded, He sleeps most of the da
and is awake nearly all night. Durinl
| his waking hours he will talk all IN
while If there Is any one to talk to him
His vast business interests are nov
entirely looked after by his son. De
Witt Clinton Blair; his private secre
tary and nephew, DIR. w II. Vail. anC
Conrad Miller, who lives at Nazareth
Pa, and succeeded Mr.. Blair in III,
active management Of the railroads n
which he is interested. Most of MI
: Blair's business is now transacted a
the banking house Of Blair q Co, o
which firm he is the senior member. a
80 Wall street. He has one son, on,
! daughter, several grandchildren, tw
nephews and several great nieces an,
nephews. He also has, perhaps. $50,
100000.