The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-03
SHE ~ A BUSINESS WOMAN.
One OF Her Feats Was to Own and Sell n
Railroad Franchise.
From tie 81. Lonii Gio5s. Democrat,

From TIE ST. Lonii Globe. Democrat.
Mrs Grace a. Wilson, Of Collinsville. ILL.,, who
was married yesterday at the Planters Hotel TO
Capt Henry Of Indianapolis, is most remark
able woman, Judging by the statements Of her
friends In this city. She Is perhaps the only
woman in this part Of the United States who has
originated the plans for a new railroad. secured
the options on the right Of way and made all the
arrangements whereby the road may be built at
any time In addition 10 this, she owns a large
coal field which this railroad will put in touch
with the market, owns and operates bell foundry
and has charge Of large real estate interests
The wisdom which Mira Henry has shown in
her conduct Of business IL perhaps the result Of
self reliance which was developed very early in
life. She is St Louis girl her maiden name be
ing Grnco ~ Logan Her father was a we'll.
known insurance man. who died nearly quarter
OF a century ago, when she was Is years Of age
The daughter soon aficfward married the late
o. Ii. Wilson. prominent business man OF Col.
insville, Ill. lie spent great deal Of time IN
this city. Two daughters were born to Mr. and
Mrs Wilson, both being now grown.
Mrs Hcnry's business career dates from the
time when her first husband became n confirmed
invalid about six years ago. lie was the owner
Of bell foundry in Collins,ille The business was
an eSactng one and although IL was established
the care which devolvci upon the wife Of the in
valid was one which many man Of mature busi-
ness Judgment would have assumed with some
doubts From the first the then Mrs Wilson
met with success and the business Of the factory
grew under her management Four years ago
Mr. Wilson died.
Her two years experience stood Mrs Wilson
in good stead She invested surplus capital in
real estate at Collinsyillc Then she learned Of
the coal fields near Madison and she put her
money into them. until she controlled as much
Of the coal land "a any Of the capitalists in that
district The result Ia that at the present day
she owns large part Of the Madison coal fields
Mrs. Wilson thought that she ought To have
better transportation facilities Then she did
a most remarkable thing. She projected a rail
road 10 connect with the Illinois Central at Col
linSrilic. More than that she incorporated
the company, securing outside capital. The
name OF the newly incorporated company in thc
charter was given as the st Louis and Eastern.
This il usually considered one 81 The hardest
propositions in railroad building but she did not
hesitate She personally laid out the route which
she wanted the road to take. The whole length
81 the road, az she projected IT, is about seventy
Ave miles
To secure tho options she undertook ~ yisi, the
owners OF the land for about onet third OF the en-
tire distance. IL took time and perseverance
She succeeded and held 10 the options Then
nounced that she did not care 10 go any further
with the road but II any capitalists wanted 10
syndicate and buy her out they might do so
She named her price and go, It, What that price
Is none Of her friends claim TO know. though II
is said that she mentioned the fact one day that
she had not made quite as much out OF IL as she
ought 10 have done
Since she sold ouI the road. which was not SO
very lurg. ago she has attended To he: bell foundry
posed road. besides her real estate interests in
Collinsyille