Amador ledger., 1900-08-17
Coils Potter Huntington.


The death of Coils P. Huntington,
which took place at Pine Knot Lodge,
his camp in the Blue mountain region
of the Adirondacks at l1:55 Monday
night, came with startling suddenness.
He went into the woods August 9th
and was apparently in excellent health
At that time he remarked that he had
never appreciated the woods so much
as this season. On Friday and Satur-
day he was about his camp noting the
progress of improvements which he
had been carrying on this year.
On Sunday he remained at the lodge
very quietly, receiving the calls of
several friends from the neighboring
camps. Monday he took long walk
over his preserves. and also made
trip on his steamboat, the Oneonta.
He remarked to his friends that he
was feeling remarkably well. During
the day he made no complaint what
ever of Illness. He retired at II O'Clock
still apparently in the very best of
health A few minutes later means
were heard from his room and an at
tendant Immediately went to his assist
ance. Help was summoned and re-
storatives were applied, but Hunting
ton sank rapidly, and in ten minutes
had passed away. 1t is supposed that
death was caused by heart trouble.
He ives born in the little sleepy viii
lago of Harwinton, Litchield county,
Conn. The narrative of the first four.
teen years of country boys life pre-
sents the usual episodes. Young
Huntington's school days ended then
and the boys father gave him his free
dom. 1t ''as great gift, but the
father knew his son.
In his first year of seIf-support he
earned $S4, his board and clothes being
included in the contract. The incident
is of Importance from the fact that he
saved every cent of it and because it
brings to light other qualities extra
ordinary thrift, patience and deter
mination-which were in after years to
play their part in the building up of a
great fortune.
In 1849 he started for California and
during his detention on the isthmus for
three months, waiting for a north bound
ship, he occupied the time in buying
and selling merchandise. He had
started with 81, 200, but he landed in
California with $1,000, while his COM
panions. who had enjoyed themselves
after their own fashion instead of his,
we're broke"
In due time Mr.. Huntington -and
Mark Hopkins became partners. A
few years of association made them
rich, but the wheel of fortune was
steadily bringing nearer and nearer TO
them the opportunities of great
achievement.
The need of transcontinental rail
way had become obvious, and Mr..
Huntington realized this. But the
undertaking was gigantic. Together
with his Sacramento friends, and in
the face of ridicule, he betrayed the
expenses of the first surveys.
In 1861 the Central Pacific Railroad
Company came into existence, with d
capital of SO, 500, 900.
The Southern Pacific was this re-
sourceful mans next undertaking, and
in 1884 he organized the Southern Pa
cific Company of Kentucky. 80
This concern operated twenty-six
railway and steamship lines. Mr..
Huntington was President of the
Southern Pacific Company, and also of
the Guatemala Central Railroad, one of
the finest lines in Central America.
He was also President of the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company, and his
shipyards and drydocks at Newport
News, Va, were among the finest in
the world.