Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-07-22
gan thinking that the stories of the
German estate was oYerrated.

German estate was overrated.
But after recovering his health,
which had been impaired by overwork
in the school, and his more recent toll
over the intracacies Of the family pos
sessions, he began building a residence
here. 1t turned out to be the hand
soonest in the city. Across the street
from that he built a stable that is
larger and finer than any in town. He
next acquired several hundred acres
OF rolling prairie land south Of the city
limits and at a sost Of 100000 put up
military academy and tributary
buildings, which for magnificence sur
pass anything in the west.
That was an eye opener, and the
people began to talk about the colonel
and his wealth. The country school
teacher had almost at bound become
citizen of Importance. The Repub-
licans of the First district nominated
him for congress. with the possible
hope Of determining just how many
ducats the barrel contained. But the
colonel wasn't hunting glory, and be-
sides, the district Is nearly 5000 to the
good for the Democrats.
Colonel Blees next built a carriage
factory that covers a block and is
three stories high. The world was
secured to find expert foremen for the
various departments. and there has not
been a day since this establishment
was started five years ago that good
mechanic could not get job at top
notch figures. The output goes princi-
pally to the south and west.
A shear factory and a newspaper
were the next enterprises put on their
feet by the up-ending Of the coloners
barrel. The people began to inquire
as to the extent Of the legacy. They
could understand the dimensions Of a
fortune that enabled an heir to build
an academy, factory or two. and put
up a beautiful home, but when a lay
man begins to invest in newspaper
property even the most Indifferent be-
comes interested and wonders how
long he will last.
If anybody knows how many dollars
the colonel possesses he hasn't told It.
A friend once put the question to the
colonel himself. The two were in the
office of the carriage factory.
do you really want to know" ask
ed the colonel.
why, yes" said the inquirer. II
would be delighted with the informa-
tion."
Colonel Blees began pulling out his
books and ledgers and making MEM
orandum. He worked on and his
friend began to get restless.
See here, colonel" he said. II do
not want to put you to whole lot Of
trouble. How long is it going to take
to do that?"
"Oh, 1 think can give you an ap-
proximate estimate In about half
day; but of course it will have to be
based on yesterdays values In stock.
I don't like to guess at such things.
The subject was dropped.
u.
seven-had been invited to enjoy a
Thanksgiving dinner with the coloners
family. One hundred and seventy
two miles Of Missouri hills and prai-
ries lay between. Colonel Blees went
to the manager Of one Of the trunk
lines connecting the two places. said
that he had a few friends who would
take Thanksgiving dinner with him
and that he wanted them transported
OH a train that would make a record.
"All right" said the manager, well
give you a locomotive, baggage car and
parlor car for $780,"
1T must make the run In quicker
time than any train ever made 1t be-
FORE" said the colonel.
"Oh!"
Can you do it? The other road
will"
do you know what that MEANS COL
onel?" asked the manager. We'll
have to lay out some of the most i'm
portant passenger trains on the road,
stop track repairing gang above St.
Charles for a day and keep all the
trains off the main line at the divis-
ion for half an hour. Why, that will
cost a thousand dollars"
II didn't ask you about the cost Of
it," said Colonel Blees. II asked you
could you do it?"
"Oh, yes; we'll do It,"
They did; the train reached Macon
just two minutes ahead Of the time
necessary to break all records between
the two points. The largest engine
and the best enginemen on the road
were employed.
Every station along the line was
crowded with spectators to see the
Blees special fly through. Maybe the
colonel had a little thought Of this In
making his contract. For their part
in the enterprise each member Of the
crew received a tiny gold souvenir.
Because of this incident some said
that Colonel Blees had no idea Of the
value Of money. They said an outlay
of 5000 would have carried his friends
into Macon as we'll as $1,000 and that
he would have been $700 to the good.
But that $500 brought in more orders
for carriages and interested greater
number of people in the Blees Mill
tary academy than three times that
amount would have done in advertis-
ing in the trade journals and maga-
zines.
Last year Colonel Blees was ENROLL
ed as a member Of the bar. He Is also
a master with the broadsword and a
dead shot with pistol. He Is base
ball crank and has built up a winning