The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-03-23

I1s.00O miles d railroad, 50 That the
mefing 81 Tie two great interests
meant tie control Of about one forth
Of the entire mileage of the United
States This community d inter-
Twas sticc ssful Ton, the beginnlng IN.
HisO0 tie ailiaays was made still strong.
u ~ tie election of William Rookie
Efeiier to the preside ncy of the Lincoln
Eatfcnas Bank; one Of tie strongest Of
Ithe Yanderbllts hduclafy insti tftions
owns 50. 900 Acres
SctWithsl ending the tremendous do.
mand On Ills time BY reason q his
newly formed ction withthe Vans
Idefhilts. william Rockefe teller found the
opportunity 70 continue q campaign;
he had begun In $50 for the purchase
he lands IN the Adtronda ckg. IN 1893
he bought q, 900 acres rear AZ .smith's.
land ID 1899 1900 acres The follow.
ing year he took up about 10000 acres
more and from then on he hough small
parcels, until today he Is the owner Of
the most extensive reservation In the
state in its most pictnregquepart He
became the overload Of the woodland.
and no man dared trespass on his pre-
serves. He forbade anglers from fsh-
ling IN streams which ran through his
property, but which had been stocked
at the expense Of the state.
Numerous lawsuits followed. The
trial courts as a rue decided against
Rockefeller but in 1903 the Appellate
Division Of the Supreme Court handed
down decision which declared the re
seryation to be private property, and
mot open to the public for fishing or
hunting. The decision created an in-
tense bitter feeling.
Following the assassination Of Or
lando P. Dexter in the early part Of
IisO5. by men who opposed the pur.
chase Of large tracts, threats were
made against william Rockefeller;
Mailed on the trunks Of trees between
hay Pond and Brandon were notices
which read: 'As5e A $4,000 bullet
win stop william Rockefeller the
minute he sets foot upon this proper
Ety." The residents Of Brandon were
especially ineensed against him. be-
cause with bis wealth he could purs
chase property and eyict the tenants
lat win. and which he did through
Ibis agents, despite pleadings and
threats.
Armed Guatds.
MI. Rockefeller deasd tie warning.
however, iand3aid 80 upon the property
hut guarded by haif 4 DOZEN men arm;
liza to the teeth, He placed q Gordon
around the house "a which he lived.
and never yentared out alone. He
went up 70 the Adtfonda els nom Tar.
ITytowa. Vi ere 81 had iiayet 'lsFse ely
\ in real estate ana vas tfeaA from 9
victory over tAsi tn asses
The contest "a ended Overt two vars.
.Ewn1ams Roclte ielle o. con ended that
HE assessment Of hia pala tibl estate.
4 Rockweod, was EXCESSIVE. y was
Ghovn that the property was not taxed
more Ia proportion than the adjoining
| properties. The assessment was for
$500. 600, ana ne spent 100000 to
have It reduced, which he succeeded
tia, doing, and ,hepaid, taxes on,3 sls. 775.
IThis, he said, was q triumph q "pFin-
clple."
Worth Sso 100000. 58
In addition TO forming part Of the.
directorate ofthe STANDARD OH and the
National city Bank, William Rookie
teller Is q idlrectoE In the Analgamat;,
cd Copper Company, the Mutual Life
Insurance Company. seven trust com.
panies and ten industrial corporations.
He Is not as wealthy as his brother.
but manages 70 worry along on tie IN:
come Of a futtune Of seo,oOc,oQo or
SCI, 100000, He Is q Baptist and a
regular church attendant The pastor
Of the First Baptist Church In TarTys
town regards him as one ofsthe great
est living Americans. Mr.. Rockefeller
built q $4,000 dwelling for the pastor.
who leases It at q nominal rental Of
81 a year HeSis sure Of Ibis salary
every month. William has not given
away az much money for educational
purposes as lis brother. The best.
known gift wa, 100000 to Wellesley
College.