The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-18

SHE is A BUSINESS WOMAN,


|
a Railroad Franchise.
Mrs. Grace A. Wilson, of Collinsville,
ILL.,, who was married yesterday at the
| Planters Hotel to Captain Henry, of
| indianapolis, Is most remarkable wo-
| man. 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 ar
rangements whereby the road may be
built at any time. In addition to this,
| she owns large coal field which this
railroad will put in touch with the mar
ket, owns and operates bell foundry
and has charge of large real estate in
terests.
The wisdom which Mrs. Henry has
shown In her conduct Of business is per-
haps the result of self-reliance which
was developed very early in life. She is
st. Louis girl, her maiden name be-
ing Grace A. Logan. Her father was a
well-known insurance man, who died
nearly quarter of century ago, when
she was fifteen years Of age. The
daughter soon afterward married the
late o. 3. Wilson, q prominent business
man Of Colinsville, III. He spent a
great deal of time in this city Two
daughters were born to Mr.. and Mrs.
Wilson, both being now grown.
Mrs. Henry's business career dates
from the time when her first husband
became a confirmed invalid, about six
years ago. He was the owner of a bell
foundry in Collinsville. The business
was an exaeting one and although it
was established, the care which de-
volved upon the wife Of the invalid was
one which many man of mature bust
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 sur
plus capital in real estate at Collinsville,
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 as any Of the capitalists in
thadt district. The result is 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 railroad to connect with
the Illinois Central at Colinsville,
More than that, she Incorporated the
company, securing outside capital. The
name Of the newly-incorporated compa-
ny in the charter was given as the "St.
Louis and Eastern" Then she went to
work to secure a right Of way. This is
usually considered one of the hardest
In railroad building, but
she did not hesitate. She personally
laid out the route which she wanted the
road to take. The whole length of the
road, as she projected 1t, is about sew
enty-fve miles.
To secure the options she undertook
to visit the owners of the land for
about one-third Of the entire distance.
1t took time and perseverance,. She
succeeded and held to the options
Then she did another remarkable thing. |
She announced that she did not care to
go any further with the road, but II any
capitalists wanted to syndicate and buy
her out they might do So She named
her price and got 1t. What that price !
is none of hex friends claim to know, ,
though It lie said that she mentioned the
fact one day that she had not made
quite as much out of 1t as she ought to
have done.
Since she sold out the road, which
was not 80 very long ago, she has at
tended to her bell foundry. She still
owns the coal mines Mt the end Of |