The Greeley tribune., 1906-09-06
HONOR TOHIM
METHODIST CONFERE NCE
PASSES RESOLUTION
Edward J. Wilcox Stops Run,
ming of Sunday Trains on
His Railroad and is
Lauded

A resolution Of approval Of the
convictions sof Edward ]. Wilcox,
mine owner and railroad man, was
introduced last Monday evening at
the meeting Of the Methodist Epis-
copaI conference and adopted By a
rising vote, which was out Of the
ordinary method OF voting.
Denver is the home of the man,
the courage Of whose convictions has
been tested TO the extent of $500, 600.
And he still holds steadfastly to his
principles in spite of the fact that
his friends have warned him that
the pursuance of his policy will in
jure him financially.
Mr.. Wilcox is builder and sole
owner OF the Argentine Central rail-
way and he has displayed his courage
by not permitting a train TO run
over his road on Sunday. Neither
will he permit the insertion of
| line OF advertising concerning his
railroad or other business interests
in the Sunday issue newspaper. al
though a great believer in adyertis-
ing and spending liberal allowance
with the dailies of Denver every
other day in the week.
The Argentine Central railway
cost Mr.. Wilcox more than $3.50, 900
and he built it entirely with his own
money. Yet he believes that no
man should do business on Sunday
and he insists that his road will pay
its expenses and be ..a.winner in due
time, II he strictly observes the Sab
bath. And the first months earn
ings seem to justify this belief.
Strict adherence to. religious and
business principles has marked the
career of Mr.. Wilcox, who came to
Colorado penniless and is now reck-
oned multi-millicnaire, his fortune
being estimated at about IS. coo, 600.
He was born in Creedmore, Ont. ;,
Canada, and when 81 years of age
came to Colorado with no advantages
. to place him at the top rung OF the
ladder Of financial success beyond
the possession OF good health and a
strong pair of arms.
Mr.. Wilcox secured work as a
miner In the Cashier property near
Montezuma. He soon decided that
great wealth was not to be obtained
by manual labor. So he saved his
money and took course at the Colo
RADIO state school of mines. qualify
ing in five years as an engineer.
Then he began to hunt mines for
other people to develop. A little
later he sold the Wilcox tunnel at
Idaho Springs to the Big Five Min
ing company. Success followed him
until today he is the owner of or
controls the Waldorf mines at Ar
gentine, above Georgetown, valued
at @, 900. 900, the Manhattan Union
Mining company, the Bankers Land
and Investment company. the Will
cox Realty company, along with coal
lands in Routt county and real estate
in various portions of the state He
is the owner Of much property on
Capitol hill in Denver.
The Argentine Centra. railway,
which las made the owner famous
because Of his refusal to run trains
over it on Sunday, is nine miles
long. 1t extends from Silver Plume.
where it connects with the Colorado
& Southern. to Gray's Peak, on the
summit of Mount McClelland. the
terminus being located at an altitude
OF IA, ,007 feet. With one exception
it is the highest railroad in the
world running a. regular schedule and
doing regular business. The road
was completed last August /, on
which date Vice President A. D.
Parker of the Colorado & Southern
drove the golden spike.
Il don't believe In doing business
on Sunday" says Mr.. Wilcox.
Not an office of mine shall be
opened on that day aud none of my
trains can run on Sunday. My
| friends tell me that l am losing
money. But doubt it. I believe
the road will pay by sticking to the
principle OF six days for work and
the seventh for rest from our labors.
The first months earnings of the
road have demonstrated this. and /
believe that it is bound to be the
heaviest earning piece of railroad
for its mileage in the state of Colo
rado.''
Union Pacific Sunday Excursions