The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-24
RAILRUAD NEWS.
A. E. StilWell's Original Methods
for Promoting Railways.
They Are Uncovered at Last by
William E. Curtis.
BY MAGIC OF FAITH.
Gets His Backing Everywhere,
Except From Wall Street.
Gossip and Matters Of Interest
i'm Railroad Circles.
BY MAGIC OF FAITH.

Chicago March 24.-William e.
Curtis. writing to the Record-Herald
from the city OF Mexico, says:
Arthur E. stllweH. president of the
Kansas city. Mexico & Orient railroad,
SIS here with a party of capitalists
from Pittsburg. Buffalo. Cleveland,
sandusky. Philadelphia. Detroit, Chi
cago, Indianapolis, Decatur and other
points. This is the ninth party ne has
brought to Mexico by special train and
entertained in a royal manner. This
is one Of Mr.. Stilwell's methods Of Sc
curing money to carry out his railway
plans. He takes his people to the spot
and shows them what he has done,
what he is doing and what he intends
to do. He brings them into direct con
tact with the proposition, as it We're,
and al the scheme in which he is now
engaged is located partially in Mexico,
he desires to have his financial back
ers learn by observation and converse
tio- what his relations are with the
government and the confidence he en-
JOYS with all the officials from Presi-
dent Diaz down.
Mr.. Shlwe1l is perhaps the most re-
markable railway promoter in the
world. and his methods are unique.
His principles. his religion, he says,
"is a straight deal" He is a Christian
Scientist and is often accused of using
fin financial matters the remedies
which the members of that sect apply
to physical. mental and spiritual diff
hculties. have often heard it said
that when Mr.. Stilwell runs out of
money ia railway building he prays for
more. and always gets it. have heard
men who have had dealings with him
say that he often told them that he
had no funds at that particular mo-
ment and did not know where he was
going to get them, but he was positive
that he would have all the money he
needed by the end of the week-and,
sure enough. his faith was always jus
tilted.
These stories amuse Mr.. stnweu. but
sometimes they annoy him, and he is
always indignant when accused of
using hypnotism upon his clients and
financial hackers He admits that he
SIS sincere believer In Christian
Science. He says that some years ago
when the doctors pronounced him
doomed with an incurable disease,
days ard he has never since had an
ache or a pain. He also admits tEat
he takes his religion into his business
and he believes that other people ought
to do the same, for religion and bust
ness are both founded on faith and
without faith in your fellow men life
is empty and useless He says that his
success has not been due to Christian
Science. and attributes 1t to the fact
that he plays a straight game has
nothing to conceal nothing to evade
and keeps away from Wall street.
AR. Stllweu has had remarka BILE
career. He was born in Rochester N
y His grandfather. Hambln StiIwell
built a section Of the Erie canal, and
was also engaged in the construction OF
the New York Central railroad. From
him Mr.. StlWell gets his ambition and
practical business Ideas. While a child
he was greatly impressed with his
Erandfather's stories about the build
ing Of the Erie canal and the New York
Central railway and the great par
both had in building Up the state OF
New York. and from that time he had
a determination that some time he
would do such things himself
He learned the printers trade while
g mere lad; became a commercial