The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-06-01

eighteen COrotS, which, say competent
critics, cannot oe matched in the world,
not even in the Louvre. There also are
creations of Millet, Treyon, Bouge-
reau and a score of other artists. some
of the single pictures being valued as
high as s50.000.
A Lover of Art and Jewels.
Mr.. Hin is his own agent in the selcc-
tion and purchase of works of art. He
has been pronounced better critic ana
judge of paintings than any other lay
man in the country.
1t is not generally known that Mr..
Hill can today take brush and palette
and produce a very fair painting
lights and shades, coloring, perspective
and all.
Likewise, Mr. Hill is expert in his
knowledge of diamonds, pearls and 9th
err precious stones. 1t is said the aS-
gregate worth of his collection is close
to S2.000,Gsl0.
Mr. Hits direct method of dealing
with men and his quick resentment CT
any attempt To take unfair advantage
of him was illustrated not long ago
when he was looking over bids Cor
needed equipment in the presence OF
agents of the companies making the
bids.
gentlemen. there is collision IN
these bids do not care to deal with
YOU. Thera is the door-good day, ne
said. and the Interview which lasted
less than two minutes, was over. in
that brief time he had observed that
the specifications were unsatisfactory,
that the price was out OF line and Lhat
ne could do better by proceeding In his
own shops and in his own way.
For recreation in his home, Mr.. Hill
SoIifai-e for hours a sitting.
Was Born in Log Cabin.
Mr.. Hill was born in little log
house in the backwoods near Guelph,
Ontario. Canada His father was de-
sirous that the boy should be a preach
er. but young Jim did not take kindly
to the idea. The elder Hill died VIII n
the lad was 10, and the latter had to
go out into the world to carve his own
destiny He first elerked in Guelph
store, but ne had been tireless read
er, and he longed TO see something of
the world He Travelled eastward
through the provinces and westward
through the states until he came to st.
Paul. where he has since lived.
There he was successfully dock hand,
station agent agent for a packet COM
pany and owner of a transportation
and fuel business. While engaged in
this WORK ne acquired MS taste 1Of
large transportation affairs. His
chance to get into the railroad business
came in 1873. when the St. Paul & Pa
cific road defaulted on its bonds. He
succeeded in interesting home and for
eisn capitalists in the property and
bought it.. Then began the negc tia lions
which resulted in the projecting of The
Great Northern road. and the eleva-
ton of Mr. Hill to the presidency in
1880, an office he has filled with great
honor.
For twenty-five years he has been
the master spirit in control of over
&c, 900 miles of railways. Besides the
Great Northern Steamship company,
his interests include a fleet of the big
gest boats plying on the great lakes,
between Duluth and Buffalo.
On account of the uncertain worth of
the ore beds of the Lake Superior dis
trict the product of which has been
sold to the United States Steel corpo-
ration, not even Mr.. Hill knows the
extent of his wealth, but s1000 600, GOO
probably is reasonably modest esti-
mate,
Mr.. Hill is generous In his charities,
having given many thousands of dol
lars 10 the worthy poor. When he
abandoned his old ST. Paul home for
the new mansion he turned it over, fur
niture and all, to the Little Sisters of
the Poor. He gave $500e0 to endow
a Catholic college near St. Paul, though
not member OF that church. He has
also been a benefactOr to other church
organizations and charitable societies.
Human Life