Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-01-24
Armour Anecdotes.

mouI as captain OF INDUSTRY VIII
long be conspicuous in the CONNER
cial and industrial history of Ameri-
ca, says the New York Press. Mr..
Armours chief trait was in minding
his own business. One day just after
Mr.. Armours return from European
trip Chicago newspaper sent a re-
porter to interview him in regard to
his observations of life and business
abroad. The millionaire packer re-
ceived the reporter courteously, but
added in brief, direct way, with a
quizzical smile:
Il am no talker Imade my money
by learning to keep my mouth shut.
When the teeth are shut the tongue
is at home. Besides, you'll never be
convicted of foolishness if you follow
this rule"
Mr.. Armours pet projects in phil
anthrophy were the Armour insti-
tute, school Of technology, and the
Armour mission, an unsectarian In
stitution, whose object is to promote
the physical, intellectual and moral
improvement Of children and youth.
These institutions stand side by side
at Armour avenue and Thirty-third
street, on the South Side in Chicago.
They represent an investment by Mr.
Armour in behalf Of the educatlona-
and ethical welfare of the community
amounting to $2,50O,0O0 A little
more than a year ago he made his
last gift of $750,OO0 to Armour in
stitute.
That h. had always been deeply in
j-terested in young men and happy
when he had the opportunity to en-
courage the young and ambitious mas
been well illustrated by more than
one incident. He bad always shown
desire to do the right thing at the
right time to shape the character for
growth in the right direction in young
persons in the plastic period Of life.
One day, while travelling between
New York and Chicago, he became
interested in a colored boy, sleeping
car porter, whom he saw trying to
read book. He named the boy
General Forrest.
General" said Mr. Armour, I'll
give you s. bill if you will read one
line of that book without stopping to
spell out the words"
The boy grinned, but accepted the
challenge and read out line without
hesitation. He not only received the
S. note, but on further questioning
stirred Mr.. Armour to still greater
interest. He disclosed a desire for
knowledge that impelled Mr.. Armour
to propose way for his education.
Soon afterward General Forrest"
resigned from the sleeping car service
and went to Oberlin college, where
he was educated at Mr.. Armour's eX-
pense.
Only those closest to Mr.. Armour
in the last twenty years know to the
full extent the thousands of appeals
for assistance that came to him in ev-
cry conceivable form. No appeal
that was not fraud on its face was
ever ignored by him without investi-
cation. He once said that he did not
like the idea of refusing any modest
appeal without investigation, as it
might be from some person unfortu-
nate, but most worthy.
Strange ups and downs happen
in this world" he added. 1T is among
the possibilities that my own son
might see the time when he would ap-
peal for help to some man that had
once been turned down by me. Stran-
ger things have happened. For this
reason I believe in relieving human
misery SO far as it is in my power.
For this reason, it is well not to turn
deaf ear to any deserving case Of
charity"
One day, several years ago, Chi
cago minister called on him and ap-
piled for help for poor woman in his
parish, whom he had found in power
ty and destitution in the most trying
hour of childbirth. He was supplied
with a sum ample for immediate needs
and requested to see that the poor
creature received necessary comforts
with the least possible delay. Mr..
Armour ability to shunt his thoughts
quickly was one of his traits. This
matter was speedily forgotten. Imag-
Inc his surprise when the minister re-
turned next day and said
81 have brought your money back,