The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-19
RockEFELLER's BoYHoop.
Was a Great swapper and Always
 Good to Ills Mother.

Sioux City qowa) correspondence Phil
 adelphia Record
 "John D. Rockefeller was good to his mother and heaven knows she deserved 1t, for the poor woman was all the time half dead from weeping over the behavior of her husband.''
 It was Richard Rockefeller, cousin of the famous millionaire, who made the foregoing declaration. He resides on farm near Neville. Iowa, twenty miles southeast of Sioux City.
 "John was different from other boys he continued. He did not seem to relish our sports. Instead of joining us In swimming and like expeditions, he would remain at nome performing chores Of various kinds or helping his mother about her household duties. There was one trait that was particularly noticeable in him and that was his disposition to trade ana dicker He was eternally swapping with the boys. Anything from jack-nife to a horse that John might happen to have was open to trade He seemed to have mania for 1t, and invariably got the best of the bargain. It was not always ap- parent at the time the trade was made, but future developments always showed the wisdom of Johns course.
 But I'll say this for John. He was al ways honest-or at least no one ever charged him with being dishonest His parents were Presbyterians, or rather his mother was, and John was a regular church-goer. He seemed to take every thing seriously, and didn't become very popular with other boys. They respected him, but didn't enjoy his company
 Richard Rockefeller is perfect image of John D., save for 8 little chin beard of the goatee order. He has son who promises to become second John D., for he has become cashier of the bank of Neville and is rapidly winning repu- tation as a financier. Richard has ever been noted for scruplous honesty and public spirit. There was a time, ten years ago, when he appeared to be about to lose his farm by foreclosure of mortgage when crops failed badly. But he and his estimable wife stinted and worked until they paid off the mortgage and they now find themselves absolute owners of an ex- cellent farm and first-class improvements. But in their direct need they never asked for nor received a cent from their rich relative.
 Mrs. Rockefeller has as accurate a rec ollection of John D. and his father as has her husband "william Rockefeller, Johns father" said she, was a big fel- low, sullen and ugly Although he was given to laughter and songs much of the time, particularly the latter. his appear ance was so terrifying to the average woman that they gave him wide berth. He was a great story teller. but his jokes and stories were generally coarse.
 'I well remember when l was little girl John and my husband and I attended the same school back in Tioga county, New York. My father and were passing a blacksmith shop which was kept by my husbands father I saw a big fellow leaning up against the door of the shop and asked my father who if was. He told me 1t was William Rockefeller. father of John. From that day 1 never forgot the man. But we have lost all track of him now. Several years ago when we were back in New York on a visit, we were told that he had died. You see we moved down south, where we resided for time, and then we came to Iowa. Since we came here we have had no communion ton with Williams branch of the family He may be in the west and may even be in Dakota or Iowa. but If he is we do not know it. He must be an old man of 90 years or such matter by this time
 civilian was a powerfully built, hand somely proportioned fellow, and would have been attractive but for his forbidding mien But he was bad man. No one seemed to know what became of him when he disappeared for days at time, but he always seemed to have enough money. It was common talk among all the neighbors though, that he treated his poor wife out rageously. She was one of the most un- happy women ever knew. Her son John was the light of her life. No one can convince me that he is the bad man he is alleged to be today. He was too thor oughly good as a boy and was too much of Christian to turn out bad. He has acquired his weal.i. honestly and Is gener- ous with it.