The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-31
st. Louis Man Who Has Spent
Much Money, Time and Labor
for the City's Good.
ALWAYS GIVES UNSPARINGLY.
Never Draws Line on Creed or
Race. but Seeks Ever the
General Welfare-SOme
Things He Has Done.

Rolla Wells is public-spirited Rolla
| wells's father, Erastus Wells, was public
spirited.
Both spent their money for the interests
| of ST. Louis. Both gave their attention per-
sonally to every movement that was for the
| best welfare of st. Louis. Some of the prin-
cipal industries from which ST. Louis and st.
Louis's citizens draw great revenue are the
| result of their energy and public spiritea-
ness.
In contributing TO any project that would
be of benefit to ST. Louis. Rolla Wells has
| never asked those who solicited his and what
creed. sect or nationality they representea.
II it was for the welfare OF ST. LOUIS ne
gave, and not with a sparing hand.
In 1885, when there was a stringency IN
tho money market almost bearing on a
panic. Rolla Wells was fortunate enough to
possess ready money. Others similarly SIT
uated hesitated about investing their money.
To them it seemed dangerous. But Roi'a
Wells took n different view of the SITUATION;
As a result the great American Steel anu
Foundry Company's plant at Granite Slty,
seyen-eighths of the employees OF winch are
citizens of St. Louis. was built IT employs
1850 men night and day. Mr.. Wells. as Its
head. inaugurated the idea of furnishing
sick or injured. Special trains are. run
! morning and evening from ST. Louis to
Granite City for the accommodation OF the
From 1881 to 1888 Mr.. Wells was president
of the St. Louis Fair Association, the ben
efits of which have even been recognized III
healthy condition financially. Rolla Wells
contributed TO it the amount that would
have been his by right as salary for the
work for nothing. 1t was love for st. Louis
and her institutions that prompted him TO
do so.
the Worlds Fair was held Rolla Wells was
one of those in attendance. Personally he
subscribed s5.Ge. The American Steel and
Foundry Company, of which he is the head,
subscribed $4,000. Later Rolla Wells be-
came one of the gu%arantors for $4,000. Mr..
Wells has worked for the interest of the
public duty and because he believes the Fair
will be of great advantage to st. Louis.
Wells's money is invested In many other
industries and IN St. Louis real estate. Mt.
Parker is silent when questioned on the sub
ject Of a Worlds Fair subscription.
WHAT ERASTUS WELLS
DID FOR ST. LOUIS.
Rolla Weiss public spirit comes to him
naturally. II is hereditary: His father;
Erastus Wells. was public-spirited. and
never let a chance go by to do something
was he who started the movement for
rapid transit in St. Louis. 1t was he who
worked day and night for the present post
with being largely instrumental in secur-
ing it. 1t was in 1913 that Erastus Wells
came to St. Louis: then a city of 5000 or
f',Wv popuiatioLi. ms ois NaS "ilhous
transportation facilities. Mr.. Wells con-
ceived the idea of inaugurating an omnibus
line: From this was sprouted the first line
of st. Louis's great street-car system. The
first line was built by Mr.. Wells on Olive
street, and 1t ran as far west as Grand
avenue. until 1859. Mr.. Wells was president
of the company. Meantime many other en-
terprises vastly beneficial to ST.. Louis felt
the stimulating effects of his genius. his
indoniitable energy and public-spirited ac-
ton. He became the head of other COM
panies, not one OF which failed to result
to the advantage of st. Louis.
Erastus Wells was a member of the
Forty-frst, Forty-second. Forty-third.
His official life beean in 1s4s, when he was
elected to the City Council. He was re-
elected in 1854. and during his service In
that body he never lost sight of an oppor-
tunity to do good for. St. Louis. He was
especially interested In, Improving the city's
sanitary condition. Thordgh his energy and
agitation the improvement of the water
supply system was brought about. Other
reforms, by no means unimportant, came
from his labors in behalf of st. Louis.
In Congress he rendered material aid to
James B. Eads in securing the necessary
LEGISLATION for the erection of the great |
bridge. His kindly deeds In the interest Of
the poor are recalled. Upon his return home
from Congress at one time he presented
his entire salary to the charitable institu-
tons of st. Louis. 1
A p~ublic-spir;ted Mayor is conceded to be
a necessity for ST. Louis, and Rolla Wells |
answers all the requirements. |
If Mr.. Wells's Republican opponent is
philosophical, the public itself is to yet
hear of the fact or see 1t Illustrated.