The Washington herald., 1914-06-12
HISTORY BUILDERS
Why He Remembers a Great Civil
War Finaneier.
. written Expressly for The Herald)
ny DR.. Il. J. EDWARDS.

/ written Expressly for The Herald)
ny DR.. =. J. EDWARDS.
Il wish every American young man
would take the time to read the biog-
raphy OF Jay Cooke. the great financier-
so far as the marketing Of national bonds
was concerned-of civil war days" said
William ]. wiisus to me at a time when
he was speaking of some of the wonder
full achievements Of American men of
science, ...
Mr.. wilgus has gained recognition
with men OF science on both sides Of the
Atlantic. He II was who conceived and
worked out the original plan by which
the railway tunnel which connects De-
troit with Windsor. Canada, was built.
Wr. Wilgus was also the engineer who
planned along original lines the electrif-
cation of the railroad approaches to the
Grand Central Station in New York City.
Il have the most tender feeling my
self for Jay Cooke" Mr.. Wilgus said.
He was not only a great financier, but
he was also gifted with the ability quick
ly to understand how science could be
made to serve American industry of all
kinds. The story OF his life should be
great stimulus for American youths
who have the honorable ambition to
make the most of their abilities.
Il have in my possession a letter from
Jay Cooke written to me when / was a
young man which I prize very highly for
two reasons. When I was just about be-
ginning my professional career had oc-
casion to go to the far West. While there
I had opportunity to visit Duluth and a
considerable portion of the Western
shore OF Lake Superior.
Il was greatly impressed by what I
thought to be the vast possibilities that
were in the water power and in the in
dustrial development which would follow
the utilization of this water power. AL
though I was not professionally or Pc
cuniarily interestd in a proposition of this
kind. yet as a man of science was
greatly concerned.
TT occurred to me to write to Jay
Cooke and tell him all about this oppor-
tunity. / had never met the fnancier.
and he. Of course. did not know me in
any way. Yet II seemed to me that II
might be worth while TO call his atten-
tion to this opportunity.
Il wrote the letter. and after I sent II
made up my mind that Mr.. Cooke, IL
he read It at all, would throw 1t In the
waste basket. since he had much weight
Ter matters for consideration. and espe-
cia1ly because the letter was written by a
young man VINO was "a stranger to him.
But to my delight I received. a few days
later, letter from Mr.. Cooke in which
he spoke in the kindest manner of what
i had said In my letter to him, and in
which he also intimated that there was
undoubtedly very valuable suggestion
'in my communication. He was at that
time not In a position to lake the matter
up. but these kindly WORDS were of the
highest encouragement to me. I have al
ways treasured that letter.
There came later an additional sense
Of pleasure because, although I myself
had nothing to do with 1t professionally
or In any other way. yet the very plan
which I had laid before Mr. Cooke was
afterward taken up and perfected and
exactly what l had predicted would be
the result was in this way accomplished.
! think that when ne read my letter Mr..
Cooke was Persuaded that some day
what had suggested to him as possible
would he satisfactorily worked out"
Copyright, 1914. by Z. J. EDWARDS. All rights
reserved.
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell How
II All Depended on What Uncle John
Said"