Evening journal., 1914-01-24
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
How Uncle Johns PrediC-
tiOn Was Fulfilled
By Holland

81 was reminded on the first or
January Of this year of an incident
which occurred about twenty-five
years ago which at that time made
a strong impression upon me-"
This remark was made to me by
William u. Hall. president OF the
American Tract Society and also one
OF the leading manufacturers Of the
United States.
EARLY in my business life." said
Mr. Hail. IL was in the West a good
deal for my business was of a kind
which made IL necessary for me 20
visit many parts of the country where
railroad improvements were in prog
ress or where new lines we're under
construction In this way ] made the
acquaintance of John Newell, presi-
dent for many years of the Lake
Shore railroad He was very able
railroad operator, and, in addition TO
that he was a most lovable man. He
was very conscientious person and
his sense Of integrity was so keen
that he never permitted himself to
take any advantage, pecuniarily. of
confidential information which he
gained as railroad president and
stock markets. For this reason Mr.
Newell, whom everybody who knew
him called Uncle John, died, COM
paratNely speaking. q poor man; he
left only a small estate.
~ think IL was about twenty-five
years ago when ! met Uncle John at
Youngstown, o. After some talk with
him upon business matters he asked
me 10 spend the evening with him.
He had no inclination for social life.
but he dearly loved to have a friend
OF two spend the evening with him.
He INDUCED in his fayorite tipple,
which was vichy. He would drink a
large amount Of shat in the course
Of an evening, and it was never con
taminated by spirits Of any kind
while ] was chatting with Uncle
John that evening he spoke TO me of
some of the younger men who we're
in the service of the Lake Shore Rail
road or some Of its branches. ! saw
that he took great interest in these
young men. There was one of whom
he spoke in terms of real affection.
He said TO me. j have young man
under me whom have actually
learned TO love. He was a poor boy
of Cleveland, and before he was
twelve years of age he began not only
to earn his own living, but TO support
his mother. who was a widow, and
two or three younger children.
brought him into the employ Of the
Lake Shore aud / watched him. He
was loyal TO every responsibility. Tho
only fault / found with him was that
he insisted on working too hard. Well,
he was gradually promoted and he
now is in responsible position
Every time I see him / think he has
a great future before him. 7 may
not live TO see Il. but ] am certain
that Al Smith will some day take
rank over any OF us as a railroad
man."
81 never forgot that name" said
Mr. Hall. II often thought Of Al
Smith and of what Uncle John New
ell said about him. And when some
years later J was told that Uncle
John actually died i'm the arms Of
the subordinate. Al Smith. having
been stricken With mortal illness in
his private car in which Mr. Smith
was his companion. / knew that the
warm friendship established between
lhes' TWO men hau netn mtlnlaineu.
DO YOU wonder. then, that when
on January ! OF this year I read the
announcement that Alfred H. Smith
had become the president og the New
York Central Railroad Company and
it's allied lines ! yiyldly recalled the
prediction that Uncle John Newell
had made TO nle years ago of the
future career chat awaited the young
man whom he anectionately called Al
SMITH"