The Monte Vista journal., 1900-04-07
\ BRAVE STRUGGLE
MADE TO PAY THE DEBTS OF
ANOTHER.
u Finally brought Death - Pathetic
sser5 os the Life Task Of 0Iss =.
Hinev Of St J.ouls-Trisd to Fay
ol,360.000.

One Of the most pathetic stories now
going the rounds Of the press Ia the
one which tells OF the brave struggle
Of Giles F. Filley of St. Louis to dis
charge an enormouse debt OF 81, $50, 900
shouldered upon him by the shortcom-
'ngs Of another man. Every dollar OF
this sum should hava been paid by
John How. who was morally responsI-
bic for 1t. but Mr.. Filley was unfortu-
nate enough to have stood his security,
believing implicitly in his ability and
honor in financial transactions. and
when John How failed Mr.. Filley found
himself confronted with the necessity
Of meeting his obligations. He coald
not pay the full amount at the time,
although he was one OF st. Louis most
prosperous merchants, but he under
took to pay 1t from year to year. and
for thirty-fve years he staggered un-
der the burden. Except for his fail
ure in business some few weeks ago he
would have paid every dollar OF 1t, bat
financial disaster overlook him, and
his own death followed soon thereafter.
When John How was mayor OF st.
Louis during the closing days OF the
civil war he was thought to be the
wealthlest man in the town. He owned
extensive tanneries and other business
enterprises. The home OF How was on
Locust avenue. and next door-l527-
was the Filley residence. The two inen
were bosom friends. Mr.. Filley trusted
How as only one man gives himself to
another In whom he believes. Both
were on the high road to riches: for
each life could not seem to be bright
er. How needed ready money. He ap-
pealed to Mr.. Filley for aid. Mr.. Fill
ley instantly Indorsed his notes for
amounts that in the end aggregated
$500 900. Some little trouble over one Of
the notes led Mr.. Filley to investigate
the standing Of his friend. How ned the
city. Then It dawned on his neighbor
that he was legally responsible for
every dollar paid on the notes he In
dorsed. He accepted the situation. His
friends urged him to 20 into bankrupt
cy and settle for SO cents on the dollar.
This he refused to do. He drew on the
resources of the Excelsior company to
meet the notes. He never compromised
but two notes-one held by a bank
which would accept nothing but 4
compromise and one possessed by the
late Capt. Eads, who would take bu:
60 cents on the dollar. The other notes.
with interest. were paid In full. with
only two or three exceptions. Death
intervened and prevented their pay
ment. The interest on the notes in the
thirty-hve years aggregated over $780,
600. but Mr.. Filley made no remon-
STRANGE. His business prospered for a
time. Up to 1850 and 1881 he was able
TO keep abreast Of his misfortune. Then
q nrc and strike cost him $3.50 900
Still. he recovered from this until three
years ago. when 4 change In the con-
ditIons OF the iron trade seriously af-
fected his company. He had NO reserve
capital TO draw upon. His life's wa.k
was represented by the cancelled How
notes. He breasted the rising tide us
best he could. meeting payment after
payment. Last month he could no
longer command money. and the end
came. Now he Is In his grave. How.
after his exposure and night. appeared
In Arizona, where he led q dogs life