The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-07-08
DRINKS FOR THE SYNDICATE.
Treat Given by q Missourian to . New York
Real Estate Combine.

" AsSSSS
Il have never looked up the genesis OF
syndicate said q member Of n OF the
Oldest real estate firms in New York, "but
I wal in one before the civil war.
the combine had for it's object, In part,
the purchase OF tracts OF land In what
seemed to be cities Of the future. One Of
these was st. Joseph. Mo. In the opinion
OF our combine that was destined to be the
metropolis Of the Mississippi valley. Why
1t never realized these expectations is not
a part Of this story.
"Three members Of our combine, or syn
dictate, Of whom I was one went to st.
Joseph to confer with the millionaire land
owner Of northwest Missouri, Elijah M.
Patee. He owned about one-half h town.
He laid out the first subdivision ever mapped
In q Western town, and built the first hotel
OF any ~pretentions in that part Of the coun-
try.
1T was O long journey then from Now
York to st. Joseph. We went by steam
boat from Pittsburg to st. Louis; from the
latter city we travelled by another boat up
the Missouri to our destination.
I'VE had never seen Mr.. Patee until we
met him In his home. 1t ives a Southern
house, and stood in a field which formed
one side the boundary line OF the young
city, that overlooked 1t from IN amphi-
theatre Of curiously formed hills.
aMr. Patee was In Appearance almost
the double Of Theirs, former President Of
France, whom I once met In Iaris. While
we were his guests the meeting vas strictly
OF a business character. There was no
sightseeing, no social functions.
After supper Mr., Patee won't to bed
and we were Informed that we could do as
we pleased. We soon followed Mr. Patee's
example.
aHe was az shrewd as any man I have
ever met. He took nothing for granted.
Our mission was partially successful. We
made a purchase, but within two years Mr..
Patee through an agent bought back the
tract at an advance, which was satisfactory
to the New York combine.
.The interesting and amusing incident
connected with the New York trio's visit
to St. Joseph will now relate:
After the deal was made Mr.. Patee
invited VI to 60 with him on a steamboat
TIN IN the Missouri River, The craft
was not TIE palatial steamer which later
on made the Missouri famous.
at vas a tub. The stage OF water was
low dflu VIC tuc nv S''y 80 VIC
channel as far up as we went. The scenery
on either shore would not have inspired an
artist.
Il said the deal was made before we
started on the trip. Some details remained
In make II an all-around bargain and these
we're arranged on board the steamer.
After ali was signed and ready for record
.sNow, gentlemen, that we are all agreed
and have had a pleasant time. will you
Join me in my stateroom where we will
have something -,
"Sumnoning the captain of the steamer,
Mr.. Patee asked him to fend to his state
room a pitcher of wafer and half n dozen
elasses. We gladly followed. We had had
nothing stronger than milk and Missouri
River water for several days.
aMr. Patee arranged the glasses on the
wash stand and then pulled out from under
his bunk an old style carpet bag such as
YOU see now and then in aDown East play.
After removing most Of the contents from
the bag Mr.. Patee took out a small box
and carefully removed the wrapping. Lift
ing the lid he said:
E'Gentlemen, help yourselves The box
contained Just enough quinine powders to
10 round. That was the treat OF the Missouri
millionaire to the first New York syndicate
that ever did business in the West