The Western news., 1900-05-02
THIS MAN WAS BEYOND PRICE
Chicago Rai1roauer Tells How Tweed
Ring Tried to Bribe Him.

Chicago Railroauer Tells How Tweed
Ring Tried to Bribe Him.
A group of men high in the railway
world of Chicago were seated in one
of the clubs the other night smoking
and chatting. The conversation, natu-
rally, had drifted to railway matters
and experiences of days when all were
many years younger, and some stirring
tales of adventure or experiences con-
nected with the business had been re-
lated. Finally the youngest member
Of the group turned tdAthe oldest, who
had not yet contributed to the fund Of
anecdote, and remarked:
ITS your turn now, Mr.. D.. What
is the most stirring incident Of your
railway experienceY
Mr.. D. puffed his cigar thoughtful
ly while mentally he took RETROSPECT
tive survey Of the years. Then he said
slowly:
'Pll tell you, and it's story that I've
never told before. It's when refused
two checks-one for $4,000, the other
in blank, which l was told to fill out
myself. During the days of the Tweed
regime in New York was connected
with the X. y. and z. road, one Of the
greatest railway corporations in an ad-
jacent State. was young man, but
was private secretary to the president
of the road, and he had unlimited con-
fidence in me. It became necessary for
us to extend our terminal facilities in
New York City, and the president put
the matter entirely in my hands. Go
to New York. he said, stay as long as
is necessary, keep your mission as Sc
cret as possible, and when you have
determined upon the location and ex-
tent of the dockage you think neces-
sary close the deal, and report
"This was a pretty big commission
for young man, and it put me on my
mettle.! 70 cut my story short, spent
two months in New York and ac-
quired what was sent for. The Fifth
Avenue Hotel was my headquarters,
and almost the first day of my arrival
there l made the acquaintance of q
jovial, handsome fellow Of about my
own age, and we became very chummy,
He knew l was with the X. Y. and z.
road and frequently would divert om
conversation to it, but while l would
talk freely about the road l never said
word about my business in New
York.
'"The day on which closed the deal
for the property went up to the hotel
In spirits, only to find my friend walk
ing up and down the corridor in a per-
turbed manner. 4 want to see you at
once he remarked, and we went up to
my room. AS soon as the door was
closed he turned to me.
"'You've decided to take such and
such property he said, coolly.
His manner and the acquaintance
with my business he revealed stunned
me, but before could recover my wits
he continued:
"'That's all right. I've known ali
about your business since you've been
here. 1t isn't too late yet for you to
change the location Of your terminals.
II you'll do it and place them at such
and such wLarves l am authorized to
offer you this and he handed me a
check for $4,000 signed by a member
of the Tweed ring.
81 handed him back the check and
coldly remarked: You've come to the
wrong man. I'll bid you good-evening.
"'Wait minute he remarked, un.
abashed. Every man, they say, has his
price He pulled a pocketbook out,
took from it another check, signed, and
said: Fill it in to suit YOURSELF
81 had to admire the mans gall. It
was simply colossal, and in place of
getting angry laughed heartily. But
l finally convinced him that l was not
to be bribed and got rid of him. Before
he went away, however, he told me
that the Tweed ring had secured op-
tions on the dock property he wanted
me to take, with foreknowledge of
the X. Y. and Y. roads needs, and that
If we had located on it they would
have cleared a fortune. AS it was
they had the property on their hands
and large sum indefinitely tied up.
"And that's the most exciting expert.
ence l can recall,". said Mr.. D. In
conclusion. 'and one recall with de.
sire to give myself bouquet. Chi