Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-10
WONDERFUL STORY
OF HARTMAN LIFE

Edward Henry Hartman was born Feb
ruary "a, 1S4S, at 1s4S, at Hampton, L. I.
He was the second son in family of six
children. His father was Rev. Orlando
H. Hartman, an Episcopal minister.
The Harrimans' were poor as church
mice. The elder Hartman changed par
ishes every year. but not till Edward
was nearly grown did he get one where
he could earn comfortable living. AL
ways his meager salary was in Arrears,
and his pride prevented him from ae-
cepting help from hfs friends. The Har-
riman children were pressed even for
food and clothing.
Young Harrimans education was little
and desutory. His father helped him
some at home, and he attended some
grade schools. Also he had a year at a
UNCONVENTIONAL church where ministers
sons were educated free.
While still in his teens, young Harri-
man went into Wall street as a brokers'
clerk He was an understood, near
sighted weak-looking young man, reti-
cent, repelling confidence, one who made
few friends.
But he was keen as a polished steel
blade. Despite his weak appearance he
was indefatigable.
And behind his big glasses glowed his
eyes, deep set, penetrating, calculating,
hard. He set in to learn the Wall street
game. 1t was in the early 7Os. His teach
ers were Jay Gould and Jim Fiske and
Jay Cooke.
TRADED ON FLOOR.
So young Hartman was soon trading
on the fioor-for his customers, for HIM
self. If he was noticed at all by the
giants of the exchange, it was as a
shrewd young man, remarkably quick on
his feet with every turn of the market,
quick as a flash to change position, and
protect himself.
Within 10 or Is years he had made
good. He had made his million, had won
the respect of w. K. Vanderbilt and
Stuyvesant Fish. Theirs were the only
sort of friendships he allowed himself
He had established his own brokerage
and banking house-E. H. Hartman &
Co.
Also he was studying railroads-study-
ig them as no man had ever done be-
fore. He wasn't a railroad wrecker like
Jay Gould. He was no builder like Jim
Hill. He saw an opportunity for welding
the power of Wall street, to build up and
combine and connect railroads. He saw
himself bringing the power of Wall street
to the railroads and using the street to
build up, to combine, to connect, to wrest
vast profits from the carrying trade of
the nation--of compelling the commerce
of United States to pour out tribute to
him.
Already he was looking westward, his
eyes on the intrenched wealth as yet I'M
developed
FRIENDLY WITH FISH.
He became friendly-but not a friend
with stuyvesant Fish, who had admired
his ability, and had him made a director
Of the Illinois Central, then a struggling
road Of 1000 miles Till 1887, when Fish
Became president and Hartman vice
president, the broker was completing his
education" He worked with Fish in
building the I. c. to a powerful corpora
ton operating nearly 5000 miles of track
age. 4
Fish was content to build up the Illi-
pois Central, but his vice president was
looking far beyond. He had his eyes
on the west first His opportunity came
in 1889 in the purchase OF the Chicago
and Alton.
The Alton, though in bad condition
physically was a great money-maker.
1t was independent of a national traffic
arrangement, and was the bugbear of all
ether railroads. 1t wouldn't play the
game. T. B. Blackstone, Of Chicago, was
president, and held a majority of stock.
The GouldS, standard Oh ana other big
interests wanted it, 1t remained for the
yet unknown Hartman to snatch it from
the paws of the big fellows.
DEMANDED GREAT PRICE.
For Blackstone demanded a staggering
price for his road. He wanted not only
the market price for his holdings but ex-
acted that all the stockholders should be
bought out at the same price, and that
the transaction should be cash. This
meant a deal OF $45, 100000 in cash-a
thing unthinkable.
But Hartman, 1.-The great borrower"
went down into Wall street; got the
money and bought the Alton. paying
s42. 600 900 in cold cash for II. 1t was a
staggering deal. an eye-opener to older
fnanciers. But Hartman went farther.
Continued on Page Three