New-York tribune., 1900-11-13

Quoted by the Rev. Theodore c williams Of Tarry-
Cemetery
Henry Willard had varied and picturesque
career He was born in Speyer Rhenish Bavaria
on April II 1875 His father, Judge of the Supreme
Court al Munich. Gustav Hilgard. The boy IN
opposition his father, came 10 America in 1853
and-resolved 10 make & for himself or, fail
lHg N that 10 bring least discredit upon
q his father-called himself Willard He had rea-
uVes who had settled near ReleviIle. III. years Pc
fore, and 10 them he
CAREER AS NEWSPAPER Man
His first stroke of business was reporting FOR
local newspaper. He liked the work and moving
TO chicago. became before long a correspondent
for several Eastern papers. Lincoin's campaign
and the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates gave him
al opportunity just then to show what was In him
he DID so well that when Lincoln went TO Wash
lIgton Willard went also and established himself
there as correspondent for newspapers both II
the East and in The West. BY the time the Civil
War broke out Mr Willard had laid the foundations
OF such wide and favorable acquaintance with
public men that he sure of a welcome at all
headquarters and SO. naturally. became a war
correspondent Here he his first distinction.
Al this stage Of his career also he formed that
friendship with Horace White which lasted all his
life With White and Adams S Hill the head of
the Washington Bureau Of The New-York Tribune
he started a Washington press bureau. When White
became managing editor Of The Chicago Tribune"
IN 1855 Willard made the Eastern correspondent
q mat paper, and when Willard became highly
successful fnancier he interested White his
Western railroad properties. Mr.. Willard also put
Mr.. White E L Godkin and Carl Schurz at the
head OF The Evening Post and The Nation
when he effected their purchase. with controlling
interest, 1881.
The New-York Tribune sent Mr.. Willard in 1856
70 report the war between Prussia and Austria
but II before he could arrive al the scene
and The Tribune directed him TO turn his pen 10
The peaceful triumphs Of the Paris Exposition OF
-ss7-
BECOMES A FINANCIER.
The time was near hand when Mr Willard
abandon active newspaper work and enter
:he more spectacular part Of his career as fnan-
cier- He vas attracted thar way by the ease with
which he negotiated. while q visit 10 his rela-
ttyes in Europe. some American securities This
brought him into connection with leading bankers
ir Frankfort and Berlin. and In the panic Of 1873
l=adinS To American railroad bankruptcy and
s+guent default in payment Of interest on bonds
he.d IN Germany. he invited 10 cooperate with
commirtees formed for the protection Of bond
holders. and proved excellent intermediary. In
80 these interests his advice. took the
property Of the Oregon and California Railroad
sorn7ary and the Oregon Steamship Company Mr..
Willard was made president u the company, and IN
80 was appointed receiver for the Frankfort bond
holders Of the Kansas Pacific Railway Company.
also IL default
The ex-newspaper reporter had be
recoeT..zed a. power IN the financial world. and.
:1-u1g small syndicate OF his friends. he bought
e.
Steamship Company. The stock OF the Oregon
E-eam Navigation Company next purchased,
ard then in June 1873 Mr.. Willard Incorporated tae
oregon Railway and Navigation Company and be-
caule is president.
THE FAMOUS BLIND POOL
Mr Willard then turned his eyes to the Northern
Pacific Railroad and gathered IL in by means OF
t.- famous blind pool" He invited about nfty
..rsons IN ISL 70 subscribe with himself 70 fund
O. 5. J.,aG9 TO- an enterprise which he would not
reveal until subscriptions ali in. II was re-
1ar.ablt tribute 20 the ability and integrity
y--- the sum was subscribed twice over within
r7--.ty-four hours M. Willard then declared MS
scheme which was form rev company the
OREGON and Transcoutinental, which should acquire
q rarfroIlire interest in both the Northern racine
ard -ae OREGON Railway and Navigation Company
ard Construct fuIl system Of branch lines SUD
s..-v % the TWO main trunks to guard against
r..a- rs and foster local traffic.
sD,. fhe disclosure the plan. second sGpScrlp-
11, Of mere than Sl2.GO0G0 was nade, ana tne
total goose G10 paid in money IN % Iii
Z.st Nr Willard obtained recognition on me l'oatu
Directors. and chosen pTeslneilt, ~ -
N.s-rherr Pacific The C-omDIetion OF tnal roSiu
1as II once vigorously entered on ana acllt't go ~
summer of Iss3 in The presence OF laFs
ioau. From the point Of junction OF me t"o ~ dh
prsaeniue ends Of the road the guests ven t3 NJ
Pa..ec Coast II Seattle where the feeling OF .tIe
..srI1r on being al united by ran 70 tI4e
Tee, ~ ne continent found expression in great
tee'iEftles
HEAVY FINANCIAL REVERSEs
slr Willard was nov AT ihe height Of his repufa-
tlon ~ d fuancler He was 10 meet reVeFses quioA
ly The panic Of 1884 found his companies in'oI'e'