The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-09-21
MR.. JAMES J. HILL.

/ MRs JAN4GS o. 1144A.
Last Monday evening twelve
hundred men assembled in the St.
Paul Auditorium to honor James
J. Hill on his seventy fourth birth
day. Among them were repre-
. sentatives of the pioneers who
knew Mr.. Hill in the early days,
as well as prominent men from
every walk Of life in the Twin
Cities, throughout the Northwest,
and from many other places. All
came to do honor to one whose
name is inseparably linked with
the growth and development of
the Northwest, one who, for more
than half a century, has been a
leader among his fellowmen in all
that makes for human advance
ment.
While the Northwest has been
the special theatre Of Mr.. Hill S
activities during all these years,
he is, in truth, national figure
whose achievements are known to
the whole world. There is no
doubt about his greatness or the
magnitude Of his achievements.
He has a genius and aptitude for
railroading; and he is a leader in
the commercial world, a nation
builder whose vision is keener and
more far-reaching than that of
any of his contemporaries.
Half century ago he saw, with
almost prophetic vision, the pan
Drama of the future Of the North
west unroll before his mental
gaze He OWNED the boundless
possibilities locked up within it's
bosom awaiting the touch Of the
magic key Of enterprise which
would reveal them to the world.
Other men, no doubt, caught fleet
ing glimpses of these opportuni-
ties; but they had not the fore
sight and genius Of Mr.. Hill. He
had sublime faith in the potency
Of nature and the undaunted cour-
age to undertake the herculean
task Of opening the mine Of the
future. With indomitable energy
he set to work to build up the
country and develop it's resources.
He covered the Northwest with a
network of railroads, tapping it's
fertile fields, and pouring their
products, in lavish profusion, into
the markets Of the world. Along
his lines homes were established,
colonies planted, and cities found
ed. Hundreds of thousands of
settlers focked into the new re-
gions, and the soil, hitherto be-
lieved unproductive, began to
yield hundred-fold increase of
golden grain. If he who makes
two blades Of grass grow where
one grew before is benefactor
of humanity what shall we say of
Mr.. Hill, whose manifold activi-
ties and unbounded success pro-
claim him a nation-builder with
out peer in modern history.
Nor have his energy and fore
sight been directed solely along
the lines of material development.
He has taken a great interest in
the progress Of education and has
given of his time and money to
the equipment of institutions of
learning for the purpose of plac-
ing their advantages within the
reach Of all. Many schools and
: colleges throughout the Northwest
, have been the recipients of his
bounty. And Catholics cannot for
get that he gave half a million
; dollars to erect and endoW the ST.
| Paul Seminary for the training of
/ young men for the priesthood.
Many worthy charitable projects
and philanthropic enterprises have
received substantial aid and en-
enlargement from him; and he
has already declared his intention
to present to the city of st. Paul
a magnificent reference library
which will be second to none in
America.
The Catholic Bulletin joins in
the chorus of congratulations
evoked by this anniversary cele-
bration and prays that many more
years may be granted him to en-
/ Joy the golden fruitage of q life
which, in the ample measure OF its
achievements, has few parallels IN
modern times.