The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-13
Henry wizard.

Henry Willard was the first man who
after Ben Holiday. made an Impress on
the Pacincs Northwest as transportation
magnate and brilliant financial exploiter
There had been several men In this Sec
tion who had amassed fortunes In the
transportation business. men like HolIi-
day. Ainsworth. Thompson. Kamm. Reed
and others. but their reputation and IN
nuence were to some extent local. Willard.
when he once acquired interests in Pa
cihc coast properties. brought new life to
the entire Northwest. There was more or
less bold juggling in some OF his opera
tons. but he was broad sansed, which
the most of the Coast people were not
md he created hopes and aspirations
among the people of this new country
such as had never been experienced be-
fore. He expressed aboundine faith in
the Northwest. and ~ an earnest Of that
faith subscribed to public improvements.
started great hotels. gave to public In
stitutions and promised the good will OF
great corporations In every cffort direct
ed TO the upbuidIns OF this part Of tho
country.
Wizards death will recall to many the
days when the territory OF Washington
first began to attract some attention from
the rest Of the world. and its rapid rise
and development took on some character
istics of the sensational. There had been
some activity in different parts OF the ter
ritory. but nothing like feverishness was
noticeable until the golden spike was
driven. the Stampede tunnel finished and
the through line completed from the
Mississippi river to Puget sound During
the ten years from 1879 to 1859 Mr. Willard
was a conspicuous figure in the railroad
world. especially as 1t affected the Pa
eifc Northwest. In all the railroad prof.
Getting. railroad constructing and railroad
manipulating OF that era he took lead
ing part He would be BUSTED from con-
troll only TO regain position stronger
than ever. and the final results obtained
BY him may be fairly said to have been
pronounced.
The people who with Willard became
identified with the Northern Pacific In its
nrst days OF regeneration were for the
most part hardened capitalists. energetic
promoters skillfui msnipulators. expert
eneed wreckers. TOWNSHIP boomers. inside
contractors. and an army OF friends and
rc,ainers who had influence with the eie-
ment which happened TO be on top Stock
brokers and gamblers showed their heads
In the management from time TO time,
and the road. although being improved
and operated ali the time. fell upon evfi
days through too much manipulation and
milking. From 81. Paul to Portland. seat
tered along at every city. town. village.
crossing and water tank. was a crowd az
parasites who ana nothing but draw their
pay and stand in with the faction tina,
happened 10 be in control Useless posi-
lions were created in order thar reia-
lives from ST. Paul Philadelphia. New
York. BcstOn ana Vernon, might have
ilsh, work and not suffer from the pangs
Of hunger. Townsltcs were iala out. NOV
ea or ahliierated that those on the inside
might nrofis. all sorts Of side issues ~ere
associated with raliyoaalns. and OF course
good many fer the time fattened on il.
Rut this could not last forever Fight
ing among the directors qearreling among
stockholders, elashing among factions am
growing wall from hondholasss gave
signs Of approaching dissolution. Years
OF seml-respectshie ioo,ing resulted In the
Inevitable bringing up with sharp turn.
The expenses had grown to be enormous
A mighty empire in the form Of a lana
grant was being sribbled away. with a
large slice Of the payments for I, going
into the hands Of dishonest suoOrdinates
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