The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-07-01
The Wheat King Quits as Per An
nouncement and Promises to
go Take Long
Rest.
REFUSED TO TALK
After Playing the Game For Thirty
Years, Patten Quits With
Millions In His
Pockets.

CHICAGO, July 1.-"I am altogether
too much in the newspapers"
With only these words as explana-
ton, Wheat King James A. Patten
stepped down from his throne yester-
day.
His abdictation was entirely without
clamor OF any sort. When he walked
out of the Western Union Building at
BIS o'clock he was accompanied by
lone friend and there was no crowd
to cheer the "lking' in his leaving. He
passed from the throne to seclusion
unnoticed.
But he smiled a smile of relief. He
is beginning long rest, friends say,
and wheat, corn, cotton and oats no
longer will lure him to the Chicago
board of trade.
Patterns farewell visits to the board
of trade at noon were quiet The
king" took parting looks at the wheat
and cotton boards. In these two COM
modities his speculation has featured
recently, and he is known to retire
with several millions tiled up" in
New York cotton.
Recently it was said he unloaded
many thousands of bushels of wheat
| at big loss. But it is estimated he
has safely preserved from $4,000, 900
to s15,000,0o0 Of his fortune and will
be able to keep the wolf from the
door, for time at least.
A Mr.. Patten spent his usual hours in
a the office of Bartlett, Patten & Co.
yesterday and took special precaution
against being disturbed Or interview
ed. His negro bodyguard, stationed
4 at the entrance, stopped all reporters
at the threshold. But Mr.. Patten was
caught as he stepped into his big
black automobile.
Won't you give brief statement
on your retirement?' he was asked.
II am altogether too much in the
newspapers, he parried with smile
Then won't you give the boys
some brief advice on specializing
II have nothing to say"
Just a few words?''
Not a word
"But have you decided positively
: never to speculate AGAIN." persisted
the reporter.
Il do not wish to be interviewed
he replied firmly.
Then to his chauffeur: Go ahead
Frank; want to get away from this
fellow
And the big black automobile spec
down Jackson boulevard, carrying
away Patten and his secrets.
Today Patterns old firm, without
him. will become the incorporated
Bartlett-Frazier Company George w
.. Patten, brother of the retiring giant
of the markets, also has retired, but
Fl. j. Patten, youngest brother, re
mains in the new firm.
James A. Pattens retirement is de
clared to be absolute. Nevertheless
there are those in plenty who believe
that Patten merely has tired of pub
licity, severe criticism, varied public
annoyances and his indictment by the
federal government for alleged par
ticipation in an illegal cotton pool
and seeks to avoid the lime light
while having others secretly transac
/ big trades for him. He may in the
future, argue some well-posted trad
ers, again corner wheat, cotton o.
corn, through others and entirely un
T. known to the public. What he seeks
now is quiet
He has played the game for thirt,
years, making millions and losing mil
lions, and is credited with being tn,
most powerful manipulation of whea
the market ever has seen.
1t is said he will go to Europe 70
:. long stay after resting up two week
S in his mansion at Evanston.
n