davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

comparatively small number Of men
of means in ST. Louis bear the burden of
the towns commercial exploitation. When
patriotism touches the pocketbook and in
terferes with the personal convenience.
patriotism is often forced to take a back
seat.
Moses c. Wetmore is the kind of pa
! triot whose hand is always in his pocket
and who is willing to give time and sac
vancing St. Louis. He feels grateful for
the opportunities the town has afforded
him TO use his endowments to his great
financial betterment-
To his near friends Colonel Wetmore
admits that he began his commercial
career in ST. Louis at a weekly salary Of
s.. Now he spends more than that amount
some weeks without thinking much about
1t. He is a millionaire. but just how
many times over he keeps TO himself. In
fact, from him no one would ever learn
that he Is a millionaire at all. He is, per-
haps, the most democratic rich man in
ST. Louis. He is bachelor. and having
no family upon which to bestow benefac-
tionS, he is known to a very few to be
total to persons on whom the sun has
shown less kindly. but whom he knows
are deserving of more sunshine. In all his
giving his aim is not to let his right hand
know what his left hand IS doing.
The unobtrusiveness OF the man Is shown
In the fact that none of the biographical
a
sketch of him. He was born at Shobonier
Ill. Il little town near Nandalia-
Colonel Wetmore was IN the Federal
Army. going as a volunteer in an Illinois
regiment. On his retirement he entered
the services of Smith Bros. cigar and to-
bacco dealers. on Fourth street. between
Pine and Olive streets. He began his
Brinkman & schlange. They were at at
Second and Chestnut streets. After
that he travelled FOR Leggatt. Hudson &
Butler. manufacturers OF smoking tobac
co. a salesman for rival house. who
had found himself outgeneraled by Mr..
Wetmore on more than one occasion,
recommended the young man to Lggett
the Drummond Tobacco Company. says
Mr.. Wetmore was one OF the best tobacco
statesmen in the country. There is no
doubt that he made the Star brand. 1t
made Ligeett & Meyers.
1t was put up for the Texas trade when
he took charge of the State. 1t had no
name. He opened it up in Dallas. He
named it in honor of the Lone Star State
lie piacarded Dallas and finally the State
with boards and signs. calling all men to
chew Star plug. And all men responded.
This tide. taken at its food made Colonel
Wetmore president of the Ligsett & Mey-
erS Tobacco Company
After the Continental Tobacco Company
bought out ;he old business, Colonel Wet
has tobacco interests, though he is not
now in active business. He is a heavy
stockholder in the Planters Hotel. where
he lives.
He is an active Democrat and a warm
personal friend OF Colonel William J.
Bryan. Colonel Wetmore is more inter
ested in national politics than in State.
He owns a hunting preserve of 5000 acres
in Taney County. Missouri. 1t Is in the
Ozarks. and big game abounds within TIE
Wetmore wire fence. The Colonel &c
quently takes party leaders to Taney
County for :, shoot and a talk. They take
turns bathing in Taney Countys only
bath tub.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

Charles F. VoSel, who has been identi-
fled so prominently and conspicuously
with commercial and financial interests, is
q native of Switzerland. He came to St.
Louis when he was 10 years old. received
a public school education and for a time
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Tom Randolph, President Common
wealth Trust Company.

The United States Trust Company of
New York went to Chicago for Lyman
Gage, its president. The Commonwealth
Trust Company of St Louis went to Sher-
man, Tex. for Tom Randolph. fits presi-
dent. Rather an odd thing. this going
West for financial talent. Tells a story
of national development that brooks no
denial.
Probably there is not a greater mixer
among the business men of the West than
President Randolph Not even President
For In quiet way Tom Randolph Is a
political power In the Democratic party
Of Texas and incidentally of the nation;
an office. but his word has much to do in
determining who shall hold office.
His railroad connection has thrown Mr
great railroad men OF the country. He
was q member of the American Bankers
Association for several years. This
brought him in contact with all of the
leading bankers of America. In his tray
els abroad he has met many of the lead
ing men in finance and politics of the old
country. What brought him In close touch
with business men who visited Texas was
his connection with the Reception and
Enterprise Committee of his State.
,r,i Tom Randolph Is typieas & h,,s american: Hc n
said to be the best story-telisr West of
the Mississippi River. When he came to
town Worlds Fair Commissioner Private
a .
in the Southern Hotel safe. But. with two
great financial Institutions on his hands
President Randolph finds little time for
story telling. He is not onl.- president of
the Commonwealth Trust Company of st.
Louis. with capital and surplus of $780,
0Go. but of the Merchants and Planters
National Bank of Sherman. Tex. United
States depository. having capital and undi-
vided profits of SS.p9.t01.
President Randolph began his business
career on the streets of Sherman. He
peddled red apples and he sold them.
There won't be better judge Of apples
at the Worlds Fair than this same man
from Texas
Mr.. Randolph was born IN Rome. Tenn,
November 49, 1854 His father is John
Lewis Randolph. who married Mary Brad
ley John Lewis Randolph was an officer
In the Confederate Army. He moved TO
then he "merchan ndised." After school and
on Saturdays Tom Randolph found himself
behind his fathers counter. 1t gave his
business instincts chance TO develop
along practical lines. The store also gave
knowledge of the financial resources of
around to trade. This knowledge came in
handy. when. in 1872. Randolph entered
the Merchants and Planters National
Bank Banh as. oss nan hoy s.ep It helped Ss, him to
majority and made 1t necessary for a
Texas cSIrt. for the first time. to remove
age disability that he might legally per-
form his new duties.
the bank elected Mr.. Randolph as their
president I'm 1886 nor that he married In
1889. His bride was the adopted daughter
of Judge Binkley of the Texas bar. The
made the Randolph home in Sherman a
true exponent of Southern hospitality.
Mr.. Randolph became the president of
the Commonwealth Trust Company Of st.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Doctor Charlie, II. Hurbe,.

Charles II. Hughes is a physician edu-
Gator. business man and poet. From the
multiplicity of duties connected with the
medical profession he has found time to
make many noted contributions to litera-
ture. and occasionally INDUCES in patriot
ic symposiums of a pleasing. versified
character As writer he j. auccinct and
forceful: as a physician he is a successful
practitioner of recognized skill and sound
judgment. AS IL business man. he Is the
inventor Of an improved car-sats the OBJ
and effective gate for railroad and street
cars. depot platforms and for otner SINH
lar uses. The Patent-Office record states
that his improved car-gate will not open
by lateral pressure. consequently no acci-
dents can happen from crowdinS against
it. 1t Is applicable to street and railway
cars and platform exits. and entrances
without material change in the cars or
buildings. 1t may also be adapted to ele-
vator doorways: Doctor Hughes's father
ssS On hf Lever HnPra
Doctor Hughes Is a native st. Louisan.
When but years old his parents removed
to Rock Island. ILL.,. and later to Daven-
port, Id. His education was continued at
Dennison Academy, that city. His aca-
demic studies were completed afterwards
IN class s of sss Lows Was ases sse As
sistant Physician to the United States
Marine Hospital. Assistant Surgeon. First
Missouri Regiment, and afterwards Sur
geon; in charge Hickory Street Post Hos
pital, McDowell's Prison Hospital, De
Soto and Pilot Knob Post Hospitals and
others. continuing in this service four
years.
Since the close of the war his record is
long and distinguished one, well known
to all. Is the author of many new meth
DDS of treatment. and new light has been
thrown on physiology and diagnosis
through his discoveries. The record of
his useful work occupies many pages in
the medical biographies of the country.
and his name occupies a prominent place
in the list of men eminent in tho medical
profession. His latest book is the "Neu-
rological Practice of Medicine which has
been very well received by the medical
profession and the medical press. The
most recent public medical function par
in by Doctor Hughes was his de-
livery of the William E. Rogers memorial
address at Memphis Tenn. by selection
of the trustees and faculty of the Men,
phis Hospital Medical College.
Doctor Hughes is the president Of the
faculty cf medical college and an active
and honorary member of many medical
and scientific societies of his own and
other countries.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
August Gehner.

August Gehner came to st. Louis from
the city Of Hanover. Germany. when l3
years old. attended the German Institute
here. and enlisted in the Union Army
when but is years old. From that date
until July 20, 1865, when he received an
honorable discharge at the end Of the
war. he served continuously with the
Federal forces. with chlvalrous devotion
to the cause he had espoused. At the
close of army life. he returned to st.
Louis and accepted a position as drafts
man in the Surveyor Generals office,
serving three years. became clerk in Hurh
& O'ReilIey's abstract of title office, and
later opened an abstract office OF his own
In 1871. Under his careful and intelligent
supervision the business grew to large pro-
portions. In everything pertaining to this
branch of the realty business he Is Il
recognized authority. and rs a banker and
financier he is no less prominent. For
some years he has been president of the
German American Bank of ST. Louis.
which has been most admirably managed.
and which stands at the head of the bank
ing houses in the city as a dividend-pay-
ing institution. All who know him in
business way have great confidence in the
soundness of his judgment and recognize
the value of his tact and sagac!ty in the
conduct of business affairs. He Is a
stockholder and official in the Mississippi
Valley Trust Company, the German Firc
Insurance Company and the Planters HO-
tel Company; is member OF the 81.
Louis Club and of the Frank l.. Blair
Post No. l, of the Grand Army of the
Republic
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

In 1150 the ancestors of Colonel Fordyce
came from Aberdeen, Scotland. and set
tied in Western Pennsylvania. His boy
hood was spent in Ohio and In the public
schools Of the State. Afterwards attend
ed Madison College of Uniontown. Pa,
Illinois University of Henry. Ill. Entered
railway service soon after leaving college,
being appointed on the Central Ohio Rail-
way Held his position till 1861, when he
enlisted as a private in Company B OF the
First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry Regiment.
serving with distinction throughout the
war and promoted for meritorious conduct.
While attached to the cavalry corps OF the
Assistant Inspector General of Cavalry.
After close of the war settled in Huntsville.
Ala. where he established the banking
house Of Fordyce & R!son. In 1874 served
as a member of the Democratic State Cen
trail Committee of Alabama. Removed to
Arkansas in 1876 and became interested in
various enterprises In 1881 was vice presi-
dent and treasurer of the St. Louis and
Texas Railroad Company, and in 1885 was
receiver for same company. In 1856 reor-
ganized road as St. Louis. Arkansas and
president, remaining with the road till $780,,
Under the reorganizati ton of 1891 the name
was changed to the St. Louis Southwest
ern; but best known now as the Cotton
Belt Route. Connected with this line of
railway for sixteen years, and most of the
time its executive officer. Colonel F'ordyce
has taken high rank among Western rail-
road managers and his personal populari-
ty among railroad men and with the large
portion of the business public with which
he has been brought into contact has been
no less notable than his success as a di-
rector of railroad affairs. From 1884 to 1888
was member of the National Democratic
Committee from Arkansas, and in 1892 was
delegate to the National Democratic Con-
vention that nominated Grover Cleveland
and served as chairman on Permanent Or
ganization. Colonel Fordyce has found op-
portunity for studying labor problems to
a considerable extent, and is known as an
authority ON this perpleXing question
In 1899 ne was appointed receiver for
the Kansas City. Pittsburg and Gulf Rail-
way, which. after its reorganization, was
krown as the Kansas City Southern, and
was the first president of this new line.
For the past three years he has been
actively engaged in assisting to finance
and build more than 1000 miles of rail-
way, all having connections with lines
reaching St. Louis.
At present he is chairman of the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the st. Louis,
Brownsville and Mexico Railway. n low
grade line being rapidly constructed in
Southwest Texas. and Is also identified
with several interests in St. Louis. nota-
bly, director in the St. Louis Union Trust
Company, St. Louis Portland Cement and
the 1aclede Light and Power Company;
director and vice president of the new
Hotel Jefferson Company.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
Gnrrard strobe.

Garrad Strobe was born in st. Louis on
the 1st of October. 1854. attended public
schools and Washington University. He
was for seven years deputy in the Pro-
bate Court and was clerk to NJ. ID. Lewis
when he was public administrator. after,
wards Lewis and Strobe We're associated
together as partners and attended to busl-
ness in Probate Court until his election TO
his present position as Public Admin
istrator in November. 1860. This office Is
created for the purpose of administering
all estates of peOpie who live in the city
of st. Louis. and who have left no will or
anyone competent to administer. to act as
guardian for minors who have no one 10
take charge of their estate. the law re
quiring that this office shall perform this
duty. He is a member of the Legion OF
Honor. and was member of the Executive
Board of this society. and is at present a
member of the Supreme Council of this
order. Is member of the Royal League.
He has always executed al of his duties
satisfactorily and tries TO follow the old
maxim that Honesty is the best policy.
His offices are in the Lincoln Trust build
Ing rooms 224-2o.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

is also president of the Helmbacher Roll
ing Mills of ST. Louis.
The. capacity of the American Car and
Foundry Company Is 1000 freight cars and
80 passenger cars per month, every con-
including all-steel cars, steel under frame
cars. private coaches, sleeping, dining and
cafe cars.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

vet rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He IS con-
nected with a number of minor enterprises
of an important character and is success
ful in all.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

Doctor August c. Bernays of st. Louis
not only IS n voluminous contributor to
surgical literature. but is the inventor of
new methods OF operation and new opera
tions. No book in English. French or
German in the past twenty years has
failed to quote Doctor Bernays or indorse
him.
Kochers great book on operative sur
gerry. issued in 1903. says: "Bernays Is
probably the surgeon who has been best
able to carry out radical operations IN
every case of appendicitis at the highest
point of danger of the disease"
The doctors reputation has not little
of its foundation ON the peculiar talent he
possesses for teaching anatomy: His stu
dents spread his fame. Its breadth Is
shown by the fact that at one time in
one st. Louis hospital Doctor BernayS
one from Vancouver Islands and one from
Mexico.
A. G. Bernays. who fought with Ma
was its leading citizen. had two of his
boys baptized as Catholics and two as
Lutherans. because the German law pre-
vented the characterization of sons OF
Jewish citizens at German universities.
who enjoyed a large practice in st. Louis
Doctor Bcrnays graduated from Heid!e-
berg in 1876. He was already the possessor
In his examination at Heidelberg. where
he studied medicine. he was given the
highest degree the university awards. He
was the first American student to take this
degree. Leaving Heidelberg Doctor Ber-
nays went to London and passed an eX
animation at the Royal College OF Ply
sicians and Surgeons before probably the
best medical examining board in the
world. Returning to the United States he
devoted his entire time to becoming sur
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
ST. LOUIS HAS PRODUCED MANY
MEN WHO HEAD THEIR PROFESSIONS.

The Development of the Great Financial and Commercial Inter
ests of the Southwest Has Afforded Opportunities Which
Have Gsped and Multiplied by Men Whose Names Are
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21
George L. HcimburEer.

Mr.. George L. Hamburger, Commission
er of Public Buildings. is q native of Mis-
souri, and received Il thorough education
in the common schools of this State. Just
after the close of the war his father
moved to the State of Indiana. where Mr..
Heimburger began the study of architec-
ture with noted firm OF architects, and
received careful training in all branches
of this profession. In the year 1879 he
came To st. Louis and has been engaged
in architectural work ever since. For
the last twenty-five years he has worked
in different architect offices of this
city. until Last May. when he WAS ap-
pointed Commissioner of Public Buildings
under Mayor Wells. to succeed MIR. Long
fellow. His principal duties In this posi-
ton are the making OF plans for public
improvements authorizes him to make;
also. he has the Four Courts, Courthouse
and Jail TO superintend, including the ap-
pointment of janitors. and TO see that
these buildings are kept in good order at
all times. He has on hand now the conf
pletion OF the new City Hospital. which
was started a few years ago and never
finished. He also has a number of fire.
engines coming. which were planned by
him. In this line of work Mr.. Hamburger
has done more along his line of duty since
he has held this position than has been
done in the last two or three years. His
duties have all been faithfully and con-
scientiously performed and he is making
a flattering record in every respect.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

with him Messrs A. l.. Bryan and j. Is.
Desnoyers. with the firm name or Bryah-
Brown & Co. Their original capital was
$1,000. nearly one-thrd OF which was III
vested in equipments.
Five skilled workmen from Rochests.'
N. Y, were secured and the factory start
ed at No. 1g South Eighth street IN
less than 4 year they outSrew this ioca
ton and removed to the Cupples bulluins
at Eighth and Walnut streets. Their SUI
cess was assured from the start. ana VIII
in a short period another floor in the same
building was secured and later !; third. IN
brief: Incorporated I'm 1851 as the Bryan
Brown Shoe Company. and removed 10
Seventh and ST. Charles streets: Mr. tBr!-
an retired in 1855. and name changed 10
Brown -Desnoye.s Shoe Company: removed
to No 800 Washington avenue. and since
1890 have occupied their spacious quarters
at Eleventh and Washington avenue; ME-
Dcsnoyers retired I'm 1898, and corporation
changed 10 its present title. the Brown
Shoe Company. Mr.. Brown having been
president of the corporation since Its or.
ganiEatiOn in 1881, and one OF the greatest
shoe manufacturing and .jobbing con
Germs in the United States has grown up
under his leadership. Seventy statesmen
now sell their goods from Pennsylvania
to the Pacific. and from the Canadian bor-
ders to the Gulf. About 900 people are
constantly employed.
Mr.. Brown can well feel proud of HIS ef-
forts IN vieH of the fact that be was the
prime mover IN establishing suc:esSiul
shoe manufacturing here. which has
grown to such colossal proportions. and
been the great lever in making ST. Louis
the greatest shoe market. selling direct
to the retail trade, in the world.
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

Born in ST. Louis In the year Of 1857.
George Klngsland early started to work
his way up In the local industrial world.
He received common school education
and at the age of IL he went into the man.
ufacturinE business. Now he is at she
head of two large manufacturing institu-
tions and prominent IN many ways in the
social and business circles of the city.
Mr.. kingsland is the president of the
iron foundry established by his father.
George kingsland. who came to ST. Louis
IN 1884. He is also president of the Central
Brass Company. the largest institution of
its kind In the city. Brass goods for
electric cars and the Incidental brass work
on railway cars are manufactured by
them. A large number of specialties are
made. including various kinds of brass and
iron castings.
The foundry and brass works occupy the
half block bounded by Cass avenue and
Mullanphy and Eleventh streets. The
brass foundry covers about 176x25o feet
and is very extensive plant. 1t is
equipped with the most modern machinery
and employs about 100 men.
Mr., Kingsland. besides his connections
with the two above firms: is chairman of
the Board of Engineers of the city and is
vice president of the Metal Trade Associa-
lion. He is enrolled as a member in the
Mercantile Club and Merchants Ex-
The St. Louis Republic., 1904-02-21

When Harrison l. Drummond wired his
resignation as vice president of the Con-
tiaental Tobacco Company he cut the last
cord that bound him to active business
AND when he gave up the lease OF the
Hudson River cStat. he inhabited near
bobbs Ferry and sold the ocean so"lS
yacht, bought In England. with Whlcn ne
pioWed North River i'll sailing 10 anu
from his New Yorl. Office. he gave up all
that bOund him TO tac East and cast his
iut for good and ail with 81. Louis
lie now lives II - Nandeven.cr place.
He is an active director Of the World $
Fair and feels deeply The responsibility "t
st. Louis toward tho world. It's COMING
guest.
AIR. Druinnond = an officer Of the Mis-
sissippi Valley Trust coniGau: and is Il
StucAEolier in various DINER iirancidl IN
sttut;onS and commercial enterprise. Ito
iS the president of the Drumincnd te;,ts ;
and Investment company. Its other uut-
GERS are James 7. biur,in"n+. wee pteSt-
dent: th';ri"s h. ~ 'i.'-'-f''. tt.a'ut t, :.
an,. W DityIcSs pitIiaau. secretary TIM.
company ~ not nDw snSaer'i IN genera
business. !; icGks ate the real estate
anu other Investments nj It's officers 49,
The company has offices In suite "v-
Carlton huildinc olive and Sixth streets.
Harrison l. rrunImrnd was born IN Al
ton. Ill, December y. iSiS. He was strong
" urged TO represent tho Eleventh Nils Nils
souri, District in Congress when he was
only q wears of age. hut declined on ac..
count of i'll health. His father was head
Of the tuhaCcO mdnJf Acfuring trm o.
Drummond X Meyers. afterwaTf the Daus-
man Il DTUmnond Tobacco Company. 1t
built a factory at Fourth and Poplar
streets. 81. Louis, and moved the well-es-
'ablished Alton business To this town. Inc
DTummond Tobacco Company was the
fra! name of the corporation.
Harrison ]. DrummOnd had gone through
the wellkn1wn Wyman Institute, at Up
per Alton. and had graduated from Sais
in 1S.1 He at once entered the employ
of the factory. passing through ever
department Of the business. He WAS made
| manager of the sales department and the
benefit of college training applied to prac-
teal life showed almost Immediately in
greatly increased sales.
In January. 1855. MIR Drummond was
made director of the company and first
vice president. He was acting president
during the year preceding his fathers
| death.
As head of the company Its business
Was greatly developed.
Mr. Drunmond Is member of most OF
the leading clubs in ST. Louis and New
York. He is q lover of all forms of out
door sport. He rides. he drives and he
automobiles. lie COILS and he uses the
gymnasium. All this gives him his per
feet trim.
Mr. Drummond was married in 1892 to
Miss Mary w. Prickctt of E.dwardsvilie
III. Mrs. Drummond is a member of the
younger social set. Her benefactinns are
| numerous. but surreptitiously bestowed.