Norwich bulletin., 1909-05-08

After nine years of raiIroading ]
graduated and bought out a hotel at
San Jose, in 1864. Naturally, as pro
prietor of the Continental hotel,
scored such a success as no other
hotel man in that town could come
within gunsliot Of. After I had been
in the hotel business in San Jose long
enough to have. established a credit
able reputation as a host / was one
day honored by visit from Governor
and Mrs. Stanford. They came in the
morning and remained all day. and
seemed to be pleased with the estab-
lishment and its appointments. After
lunch the governor suggested that we
should go out and sit under the avn
ing, as ne had a matter of some i'm
portance to discuss with me. | could
not imagine what it could be, but was
not long awaiting enlightenment Soon
after we were seated, Governor Stan
ford asked me how j was making out
in hotel keeping. I answered;
Very well. indeed; much better than
I expected"
Well" said the governor. II have
q proposition to make to you. Mr..
Croker Is now the superintendent Of
our railroad, and he is also managing
the building of the road. which occu-
pies all his time. He, knows of the
proposition l am about to make to
you, and it meets with his approval.
1t is this: That you sell out this hotel
business, return to Sacramento and
take Mr.. Crocker's place as supern-
tendent of the Central Pacific rail-
road"
The proposition startled me. and
could not believe that he was in earn
est. There were fewer railroad men
in California than there were in later
years, and / have always thought it
was to that that I owed the distinc-
ton. / told Governor Stanford that I
appreciated the honor beyond the pow
er of words to express and with all
my heart l thanked him for his hatter-
ing opinion of my capabilities as a
railroad man. 1t was proud to know
that my nine years service in the
Sacramento Valley had won the ap-
prevail of such men as composed the
Central Pacific Railroad company, but
] had become enamored of my hotel
life, and with many thanks I declined
the honor The governor seemed some
what disappointed ats the result Of the
interview. and L afterward learned
that he had come to San Jose with
the express intention of inducing me
to accept the position. Many times,
afterward, during my career as a ho-
tel keeper, it occurred to me that had
] told the first man | met after nv
he could have the establishment for
just what he chose to offer, and gone
back to Sacramento, it would have
been the wisest thing ] could have
done. 1 would not now have to think
of walking in order to economic car
fare. And yet. I would have missed
so much fun, and so many Jolly times,
that. taking it all in all, perhaps, it is
better as it is. / could not be hap
pier. nor enjoy better health, if I own
ed a whole railroad myself. and were
the president and the board of direct
ors combined.
In 1856 the wooden hotel at Santa
Cruz went up in smoke. but the own
ers saved the lot and decided to build
another hotel on the same site if
would consent to manage it. Nogo-
tiations were opened, and everything
being satisfactory sold out at San
Jose and settled down In Santa Cruz,
which found much easier than set
Ting up after two years of hard work.
! named the hosiery the Pacific Ocean
HOUSE, and for two seasons 4t was
e1anA with Dl1e incest psoele that 6ser