The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-10

or the family and he was always welcome.
IL was a delight to have him, with his sun
ny race and CHEEKY voice.
AFRAID TO BE RICH.
He was the embodied idea of a Christian
Ar intimate friend said of him that only
eternity will tell the good deeds he has
done" William Jackson might nave been
a rich man.. He had opportunities thrown
in his way for making money; he was
capable of being a money maker, but he
preferred not. He said he was afraid to
be a rich man. He saw other men grow
rich. but as they grew rich they seemed
to lose their interest in Christianity and
became interested in other things. 1t was
not till after Mr.. Jackson came TO this
city that ne was converted. lie was
brought up a Baptist, but he did not like
immersion. His was an out and out con-
version. He joined the second Prespy-
terrain Church at the same time as Gen.
Thomas A Morris. His Christian life was
one long stream of good. He started the
Twelfth Presbyterian Church down in the
Kingan penthouse district on the property
Owned by the K IhngisoS,s i su rs Kne sSboo a.
perhaps better than il is by Its right name
down in the district and by many others;
Mr.. jackson attended the services and
every Sunday, rain or shine was present
in the Sunday school. He gave or his
means for its support. and with the help OF
Mr.. Yandes and Mr.. McCarty and some
kept up the running expenses. He dld a
world of good among the people or That
neighborhood and interested others IN
them. He worked among them for nearly
twenty years. He gave timely help 10 nun
dreds who were in distress. tie gave away
any number Of sewing machineS, ana once
kent an account of how many, but the list
grew large and he threw IL away. Even
he did not NOW how many he had bought
for poor women. He kept two scholarships
in "a woman's school. and for years there
nave been two girls securing an educalon
by his liberality. He also had a scholar-
shin at Wabash College for deserving pu-
nils who could not afford to pay their OWL
way. He never could be rich or even well
off, for he gave every cent OF his salary
except just enough TO pay his own ex-
penses, for benevolent purposes.
LOVED FLOWERS.
Mr.. Jackson's great love for flowers was
one of his strongest characteristics Years
ago. when there was only one greenhouse.
he used to go to the florist and engage
every rose that would come out. These
he would take to persons who were sick.
Often there would be only one rose. No
matter, he would make the trip to the
greenhouse for the one rose, for be was
SIRE to have some one to whom he wanted
70 give II. IT was not an jnfrequent thing
to meet Mr.. Jackson on the street win
one flower wrapped in its oiled PAPER, ana
he would say that he heard that some
cEllu was not We'll. II WOhi'i GU ~ NHAt
the child and take the flower. He was
often sent for by persons VINO were SICK,
who preferred a visit from him rather than
from their minister, MANY oying
the utmost generation and respect Ter
womanhood, and never did a discourteous
thing. He would always offer his seat TO
a woman in a crowded car, ana was gallant
i'm assisting women and children on and off
III. car. even when he was so weak that
his friends worried about him. He would
make friends with children anywhere and
everywhere, and he would often take a
child TO hold. One of his life charities was
tn send a certain amount of money every
year TO two old ladies who lived in his old
homestead at Elkton. Il began years ago,
when he found that they were old and
needy. and part of his salary went toward
their support. There were very few per-
sons who knew what he was doing for peo-
pie TO help them.
UNION RAILWAY SERVICE.
Mr.. Jackson came TO Indianapolis in 1853
and took service with the Union Railway
Company. 1t was a small business then,
and he was ticket agent. secretary and
treasurer. For years he all but ran the
whole business of the Union Railway. He
was the local manager. The president and
other officials lived away from here and
they had such faith In his integrity hat
they would go for years without a meet
ing. He conducted affairs so that there
was III dul w lAii0- III Acpc NHC ONL 49,
son & indianapolis road was in a bad imam
cial condition. 1t had no credit and the
sheriffs in the counties along the line OF
the road levied on its rolling stock and
practically tied the road UP. Persons In
terested induced Mr.. Jackson TO take
charge Of the road. He had been with the
road during it's construction and was man
ager of it for a time. He consented TO do
what he could and went to Madison. He
visited all of the parties who had claims
against the road and on his word, they
AnnaAI fhA nHaaAnrrtfAn1 HNhnV had CuFnh
confidence in him that they gave him time
TO see what could be done towards arrang-
ing things satisfactorily to everyone. He
worked indefatigably eighteen hours out of
twenty-four. He had a cot at the office.
He would take a few hours sleep, have
some one there to wake him up and then
would go TO work again. This he did for
over eighteen. months, but he saved the
road. He returned 10 the Union Railway
Company and took up his old position of
ticket agent and secretary and treasurer.
He had charge of the Union Railway bust
ness till 1852, when the Union Railway
leased the Belt road, and he was relieved
OF keeping the accounts of the Union Rail-
way. 1t was mis- duty to go to the stock
would go over there with j 5000 or $4,000.
He continued his duties of secretary and
treasurer until 1883, when the new Union
Station was built, when he asked TO be re-
lieved Of the duties of treasurer, but con-
tinued as secretary. He never had an in
crease of salary and at one time when the
salaries OF the employees were Delng re-
duced he insisted on having his reduced
also. He was much beloved by all the en-
ployes of the road, and whenever the pay
master made his rounds there were always
numerous inquiries for Uncle Billy" He
had the universal respect of all.
HIS LIFE THREATENED.
In the winter of 1866 Mr.. Jackson lived
with Mrs. John Morris and her daughter,
Mrs. Haines, at Woodruff Place. 1t was in
January, while there, that he took a heavy
cold and suffered for weeks with penumo-
MIA. His life was despaired of and his
friends were alarmed at his illness. For
weeks he was cared for and was visited
daily by his loving friends. His old friend
and physician, DR.. L.. L. Todd. was a con-
slant attendant. Mr.. Jackson was weak for
a long time, but finally recovered his usual
health. The next autumn ne came into the
city to reside, and made his home with
Mrs. Reginald Hall at Meridian and Yer
mont streets, which was much nearer his
business. In the summer of 81 Mr.. Jack
son went to live with Mr.. and Mrs. r. S.
Mckee, on North Meridian street. Tt was
while he resided with Mrs. Hall that he felt
unable to continue his ministries at the
Twelfth Presbyterian Church, and he re-
sumed his membership at the Second Pres
byterian Church. he having taken his letter
to the little mission church when he decided
70 work there. Mr. jackson resumed his