The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
Ex-senator CockreH, of Mis-
souri,, Owes His Political
Prominence to Defeat for
Gopernor-W. H. Moore,
Burned" Out byMatches,
Soon Back on His Feet.

world lecturing tour at an age when most
mems thoughts are all OF a comfortable
seat by a freside.
Like Henry Willard. W. H. Moore, one
OF the most famous corporation promOt-
ers of latter-day American history, met
crushing defeat and won a striking sub
sequent victory on the same battle-ground
Moore. it may be remembered, was the
leading spirit in the organization of the
so-called match trust the Diamond Match
Company. For several years the enter
prise thrived nightly. securing control
practically Of the match industry in the
country and paying large dividends.
Seek Too Great n Control.
Flushed with success. Moore and his
associates decided TO secure a monopoly
OF the match business of Europe as well
To this end the president Of the company
went abroad, and in due time it was an
nounced that the governments OF France
and Austria would use none other than
the trusts machinery. This was the sig
nal for ". r. Moore 20 lead a campaign
to boost the trust stock TO $500 a share.
But the best laid plans OF mice and
men gang aft aglee" Along came one
William Jennings Bryan. with his "cross
of gold speech. Down plunged the mar
ket. down Went match stock with the
rest, and after a long and brave fight
against great odds Moore surrendered 10
the inevitable when he discovered that
some member Of his own pool was play
ing traitor Moore left on the field Of
battle his personal fortune OF $5.O00.O00
and as much again In borrowed millions
Il will pay every cent of my indebted
ness. he told the newspaper men when
they sought him out. And pay he did in
side of two years. his victory being Sc
cured by his reorganization OF the match
company.
To-day W H. Moore is bigger power.
financially. than ever. his interests being
heavy In numerous railroads and big in
dustrial corporations of national and in
ternatlonal fame. Now sixty years OF
age, his face has the appearance and his
step the elasticity Of man about two
decades his junior. Naturally. his is a
buOyant spirit: but. unlike the ordinary
promoter, there is nothing Of the fam
boyant about him. II is interesting 70
note that both he and Stillweu were
born in Western New York. and that
DtAA hNeo4t AAlOAi bAh AAlsaA4CAal operations
in the Middle West Before he went TO
Amherst College. which he was com
PEELED to leave before graduation on ac-
count OF IN health. Mr. Moore received
his preparatory education az Cortland
Academy. Cortland N Y. where Alton
3. Parker. President Roosevelt's oppo-
nent in 1905, was educated.
There are two very notable rather
modern instances OF mining men win
ming victory after defeat Just before
". 5. StTatton struck the Independence
mine. and SO brought about the founding
OF Colorado's largest mining camp. Grip
pie Creek, he had lost his savings. s.. 600.
In worthless mine and was all but
ready to close in disgust his fifteen years
search for gold high up" y. c. Creede.
whose discoveries led 10 the birth of
Greece Colo, spent fruitless years
searching the mountains alone; and he.
too, just before victory was won, felt
that he had been defeated in his fight
for 2 fortune
(Coyright sos hv Dexter NarshaUl