The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-05-20
HENRY N, FLAG[ER DIED
At HOME IN FLORIDA

named Rockefeller at Cleveland, OhtD,
who was doing things in oil. He went
to his wife's parents, who let him
forces with Rockefeller. 1t was not
long before the Flagler ideas became
accepted by Standard Oil--successor
to Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler
ideas that helped throttle competition
and extend the rebate system until 1t
took years to overcome it. F1agler
found ways to know all that went ON
in the offices of the independents"
and even forced the railroads to d.
vide commissions on business handled
for the Standards competitors.
Before Flagler ceased active partici-
patton in the workings Of Standard
OIL he had turned to Florida, where,
as tourist, he had discovered what
profits may be expected from tourists.
He built string Of winter resorts,
hotels that extended from ST. Angus
tine to the lower end of the peninsula.
More than $3,000,000 he thus invested
and found the investment good. Then
4
tation facilities of the state, pititully
i inadequate because Of the vast swamp
areas which made ordinary construc-
4 tion impracticable. Out OF this devel-
opment came the 600 miles of railroad
of which no became sole owner.
i The first train was run across his
iover-sea trestle to Key West January
1 %, 1912, travelling on tracks stretched
over water and reef, with the inter
!, vening keys as stepping stones. 1t was
during the Spanish American war
that Flagler saw the need of such a
railway. Many thought his project
I impossible. but he proved It was not.
i During its construction the workmen
i lived in houseboats on the water over
which the Key West express now
runs daily.
4 With his enormously increased
wealth. though he was growing old,
social advancement came to him.
Z. About this. time his wife began 70
Hose her mind and the beautiful Mary
Lily Kenan of North Carolina came
. into Flagler's life. The divorce laws
of Florida did not then provide insan-
ity as basis for legal separation, but
. the legislature of the state soon pass
, ed a law which did, and Flagler di-
, vorced his wife and married the
J, North Carolina belle, then barely S6.
Few men knew Flagler. Among his
business associates hardly one anec-
? dote can be found. That he was eau
! tious but with a capacity for sensa-
,ltional deeds of finance is known by
his accomplishments, but there are no
lights on his human side. No one
: knew whether he needed the criticism
, lof hs marital ventures.
His associates in Wall street say
he was man OF modest demeanor, OF
few words, quiet and absolutely i'm
> pervious to criticism.
When his wife, almost a maniac af.
ter the divorce, was sent to a New
York sanitarium, Flagler set aside 81.
! 600, 900 for her care during her life
, To the physician especially detailed
to care for her he paid an enormous
weekly fee
i ne new SOCldi CulVct lCu W eiiS
! aged financier was too severe for his
: age Rumors that he was fast break
h ing were vigorously denied but ]
g became known that his sight ant
!. hearing were failing, when fall OF
/. the marble stairway of his wintel
i. home, Whitehall, at Palm Beach
r brought about his fatal illness.
+ During the late years of his life
r F1agler was vice-president and director
of the Standard Oil of New Jerse.
until he resigned in 1911; Chairman
4 of the board Of directors of the Flor
ida & East Coast railroad and direc
: tor in the Western Union TELEGRAPH
Z company. the Peninsular & occidenta
i Steamship company and the Cub;
company.