The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-02-07
OIL MAN LONESOME.
Frank Rockefeller Says Brother
Is Afraid of Kidnapers.
Declares Old Associates Of John D.
Fear Eiim-Remorseless Business
Methods esponsible-Asserts
William Is Now the Richest.


Belvidere, Kan-"That brother of
mine, John ID. Rockefeller, is the most
lonesome man in all the world; there
is no man who walks the earth that he
can call his real friend" says Frank
Rockefeller of Belvidere, Cleveland
and New York, according to a CORE.
spondent,
Rockefeller is spending some time
at his big ranch near Belvidere,
where he comes every winter for
few weeks vacation. He is a brother
of John d. and William Rockefeller,
and was, for twenty years. general
field man for Standard Oil. His $4,000
acre ranch In this county is called
booksellers million-dollar play.
thing"
I'D rather live on a 150acre west
ern homestead, with homesteader's
usual fare, than live like John ID. I.,oes
in his palaces. He's living "a a reeu.
lar hell. He's the -,ost lonesome
man on the facs of the earth. He can
ca $50 man 'lriend,'" continued Frank
Rockefeller.
John d. has been relegated to the
background by all the big business
men with whom he once did business.
None of them will have anything to do
with him, They don't like his way
of doing business. Anyway, Brother
William is worth 80 per cent. more
money than John d. is, but people
don't know it. John d. hasn't rein
vested his money for many years and
is practically out Of the game. He
has the income of his investments,
but nothing more. William invests
and reinvests, and today is worth one
half as much again as John ID.
John d. is fearfully afraid Of being
kidnapped and held for ransom and he
never stirs without his guards"
Frank Rockefeller is seventy years
of age, as straight as an arrow,
weighs PIT pounds and is an athlete.
Regardless of his appearance while in
New York or Cleveland, when in Kan
sas Mr.. Rockefeller looks just like an
ordinary Kansas rancher. And he
acts like one, too.
Wall street and lower Broadway
would never recognize this man. He
| purchased the ranch thirty-nine years
| ago and came out here soon after
| wards to- take a look at his property.
AS he neared the sod house he passed
under a big cottonwood tree. From
| its branches three men were swing
| ing.
Horse thieves!" laconically said
his foreman.
Then there followed such a vigorous
campaign against the rustlers and
horse thieves that the Rockefeller
ranch was troubled no more for years.
But gradually the rustlers returned
and the Rockefeller herds began to
suffer. On one of his periodical visits
to the ranch Rockefeller was given
proofs that a gang Of bad" men had
gathered on an adjoining ranch and
were cutting fences and running of
cattle.
In Ohio and New York Rockefeller's
reputation may be that OF peaceful
man. But out In western Kansas he
is known as daredevil and as reck-
less as they make them. He mounted
his horse and, unarmed, rode over to
the rustlers' ranch. There we're four
teen men on the porch as he rode up.
The head OF the gang was not to be
seen.
where's your boss?" demanded
Rockefeller.
The boss came out on the porch.
Rockefeller shook his finger in the
mans face.
II just came over here" he said in
an ordinary tone OF voice, ito tell you
that you are thief and that II my
fences are again cut or single head
of my cattle stolen I'm coming back
over and kill YOU"
The rustler pulled his gun.
That's all right" said Rockefeller.
II am unarmed. But you're a thief
Just the same. You can shoot now
or you can have one Of your men shoot
me in the back as I ride away. Or
you can give me rife, take one your
self, get out here in the road and we
will shoot this thing out right here"
The rustler refused and Rockefeller
turned his back on the gang and
calmly rode away. Not . gun was
lifted to prevent his going. And no
more of his cattle were stolen, either.