The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-25

being advanced. later to be deducted from ms salary. Larson spent several years in the southern states, working on the leVees, and accumulated $3O0
 Moved to Arizona.
 Learning of railroad construction in Ar kansas, he determined to move there. Upon his arrival he learned that place as ume-keeper was to be filled, but to get the job 1t was necessary to have a watch. Larson borrowed a watch and got the place.
 It was his first step out of the ranks of ordinary laborers. A smooth talkar about that time put in an appearance and borrowed Larson's $3O0 It was never returned, and Larson has since been wont 10 say that his first lesson in financier- ing proved a valuable one
 Larson obtained several small con tracts which were remunerative, and upon the completion of the road he moved north and began freighting in the Black Hills country, then in the midst of excitement because of the gold discov- cries. When the Northern Pacific start ed to build west from Bismarck Larson got several contracts and thus reached Montana He eventually obtained con-
 
 built more mileage than any other one man.
 Railroad contracting seemed to be his forte. for on the completion of the North ern Pacific proper he built the Niehart branch of the Great Northern. With his partner, keefe, he built the Montana Cen tral, including the Wickes tunnel, be- tween Great Falls and Butte, for Col. A. C. Broadwater
 Tn lSS9-gO he constructed the Occur q Alene branch of the Northern Pacific be tween Missoula and Wallace the Spo- kane Falls and Northern and Washing ton Central roads. He also has had large contracts of the Canadian Pacific and in Alaska, and with Pat Welsh Jack Stew art and others he has contracts for the western extension of the Grand Trunk. In this work large capital was required at times. and Larson turned his atten- ton to banking His first bank was in box car. which was always kept at the front in his railroad construction work.
 He Is today heavily interested in the National Bank of Montana, First Nation al Bank of Billings, Cascade Bank of Great Falls in Montana and Old Nation al Bank of Spokane. When, with a few associates. Larson helped to reorganize the latter institution few ever dreamed of the successful outcome as today that institution has resources In excess of SWO,O0O, In place of a few hundred thou sand for a starter.
 Was Successful.
 This example is only one of many. Nearly everything Larson touched turned to gold. With T. l.. Greenough, Larson about ten years ago bought the Morning mine at Mullan. Idaho, paying about s350, GOO for It.
 It is estimated that the property has paid $25.0oO month profit from that day to this, when witb the You Like 1t was sold to the Federal company for s3 GOO OO0 He has large mining interests in Montana, Idaho and British Columbia
 MT. Larson also has lumber interests Tn the Occur d Alene country. He bought the Russell A. Alger tract near What com. Wash on the basis of forty-hve to fifty cents thousand feet for standing timber. He invested $500 900 In this deal. and 1t has enriched him more than s1 GOO 00O
 Larson is also interested in flour mills a Seattle and Spokane and is A heavy stockholder in the Spokane beer trust
 Larson's luck. if such it may be called. has never deserted him since the Arkan- sas experience He was a passenger on the Clallam when she sank off Victoria two years ago. He had on his person about s2Oo,oo0 in drafts, with which he n- mining properties.
 He was thrown into the water. but man. aged to find among the fotsam a cabin door. To this he held with tenacity for several hours until finally rescued by a tug.
 Larson is not what would be termed a good mixer All is business with him
 An example of his methods may be cited. MT. Larson was called upon for donation for church in small Mon tana town.
 How much do they want?" asked Lar son of his agent.
 They would feel pleased and duly grateful for any sum ranging from slO to S25," was the reply.
 Had His Little Joke.
 Give them $5O" said Larson.
 On another occasion an early associate of Larson. who had met misfortune. called to borrow enough money to buy a teaming outfit Larson directed his agent to supply it and incidentally to perpetra te a joke on his old friend
 Draw up contract whereby he agrees 10 make return payment at the rate of month until the principal is paid " said Larson. which would have extended the payments many years beyond the mans life. The wagons were forthcom- ing and the old man departed in a happy frame.
 Mir. I.arsons wealth has been estimated at $5.000.000 to $25. .0O0O00 He is probably the wealthest man in the northwest with the exception of Senator W. A. Clark.
 Mir. Larson married Miss Welch in Helena in the early eighties. Their home in this city is one of the finest in the state. Having no children of their own. Mir. and Mrs. Larson adopted Mabel Lemy. neice of Mir Larson. She was recently married to c. B. Power. son of former United States Senator T. c. Power of Helena. and of this union a daughter has been born. This child is Mir. Larson's favorite and will be one of tho northwest's richest heiresses