The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-24

people down there who interfered
with me in reference to the yacht
club matter. If 1 were able I would
rather lose a, million dollars than to
make a compromise with those peo-
| pie"
In 1901 Lawson caused to be con-
structed a handsome yacht, which he
desired should be entered into compe-
Americas cup. 1t was of manganese
bronze and cost about $500, 900. Law
son equipped the craft thoroughly and
placed a crew of fifty-ffve men on it.
This yacht affair cost Lawson. about
half million dollars before he fin
ished. Not being a member of the
New York Yacht club, Mr.. Lawson
was not permitted to enter his yacht,
the Independence.
Frequently he endeavored to get a
snap trial with the Columbia or Con-
stitution, but each time his craft would
approach the other boats they would
turn tail and run off. Finally Lawson
became so angered that he chopped up
the yacht and caused the bronze to be
made into mementoes for his friends.
He wrote book on the affair, each
copy of which cost at least $780, These
contained his version of the affair and
magnificent pictures. The Corinthian
Yacht club of this city was among
those who were recipients of the gift.
Some years ago Lawson created some
what of a sensation by paying $4,000
for single flower. Thirty thousand
dollars for a single flower had never
been heard of before, and the press of
the country echoed the establishment OF
individuals. In telling the story tbout
the celebrated Lawson Pink the
Financial Moses said:
ct am very fond of flowers, and so Is
my wife. Her florists bill, believe. Is
Just about $4,000 a year. The florist
who supplies us, Tom Calvin by name,
had in his employ a man by the name
of Peter Fisher. who propagated a pink
so that 1t reached this size
Mr.. Lawson placed the tips of the
fingers of both hands together, making
a large ball.
He showed it to me, and said that he
had named it the Mrs. Lawson Pink
and that he had propagated 200 of the
plants.
ct was slightly interested, for it was
a beautiful flower, but it passed from
my mind until one night later Calvin
called and told me there was man
chase all the Mrs. Lawson Pinks.'
said to Calvin:
You cannot sell them. you know.
for want them
Calvin said, But this man offers
$4,000 for them
tThen 1 became interested, for at
first I thought that probably the man
wanted the flowers for about 800.
Who is this mani? said to Calvin.
His name said Calvin, is H. N.
Higinbotfam of Chicago
Then Calvin sat down and figured
some and he showed me where this flower
would prove a very profitable investment
as it would increase in a year to 400, 900
plants, and in two years to 100000.
Then determined to buy, just as a
business investment, but 1 did not close
at once, or rather he would not. The next
night he came and said that Mr.. Higin-
botham offered $25, coo for the plants. 1
made an offer of $4,000, and they were
sold to me. And made a clear profit out
of the transaction of $4,000, besides Civ
ing the flowers back to Calvin.
But at what a cost to me! The papers
all over the United States had columns
about the Lawson Pink and the reckless
spendthrift who had paid $4,000 for a
flower to put in his buttonhole. The flower
stared at me-if a flower can stare-from
out of the columns of the big papers. The
name was given to china plates, to new
buckwheat flower, to baby carriages, to
cigars, to boats, to babies and I don't
know what. Everywhere 1 went 1 had
forced upon my notice some new article
of merchandise that had been named the
Lawson Pink. +"
His Diversion.
The business life of Mr.. Lawson is re-
lieved by his devotion to horses. They
are his passion and his stable proves it.
He owns at present thirty of the finest
harness and saddle horses in the world.
This collection includes many celebrated
resentatives are Gorgeous, Glorious.
GIorione, Gloriana, Glorio, Gloriala,
Chimes, Trinity, 1filady's Boy, MiIady's
Lad, Enchanter and Enchantress 1t is
said that President Mckinley wanted En-
chanter but he is Mr.. Lawson's pet sad
die horse, and money could not buy him.
although money in plenty was offered.