The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-21

Pacific. the bonds OF which were owned
In Holland, was rusting in near bank
ruptcy. Donald Smith, James J. Hill.
George stephen. afterward Lord Mount
Stephen and y. W. kittson bought the
bonds from the Dutch at anywhere from
IL cents to 20 cents on the dollar. re-
christencd the road. put II through to
Winnipeg and made II n profitable con-
Germ. The lands that Donald Smith had
bought for few dollars became worth
millions.
Then and there was formed an enduring
friendship between Hill and Smith.
friendship which stood terrific tests. Upon
the advice OF MIR. HILL Smith invested
heavily in the Northern Pacific as II was
built up. In time his holdings grew 20
10000 shares. held as an investment and
not for speculation. When the strenuous
fight for control OF the Northern Pacific
was In progress. the interests opposed to
the Htll-Morgan control sent an ambassa-
dor to Lord Strathcona and offered him.
II 10 said. $50, 100000 for his shares
He replied:
when I was young and with little
money James J. I'm was one OF my best
friends. His railroads have been my best
investments since. No amount OF money
would persuade me 10 turn against him
now"
Become a power IN the land. Donald
Smith took up the project OF building
a Canadian railroad from the Atlantic TO
the Pacific. He was in politics. but he
used politics for his main purpose OF
developing Canada through railroad con-
struction. He fought Sir John a. Mac
Donald. then Premier, and then aligned
with Sir John and the Conservatives be-
cause the Liberals were too cautious In
their railroad policies TO suit his fiery
ambition.
Put Through Railroad.
In 1850 the Canadian Pacific Railway
Company was formed. but money was lack
ing. Mr.. Smith, in the face of the whole
opposition and large party OF the
Government. got a Government loan of
So, 100000 cash, which saved the road. At
2 40 o'clock on the morning of November
:. 1855. at Cra!gelachie, II. c.. Donald
Smith drove the spike which completed
the Atlantic-Pacific railroad.
In 1856 he was rewarded for his great
services with n knGhthood in the order
OF 81. Michael and ST. George. His
cousin. George stephen. had already been
recognized with a baronetcy, Both had
been immortalized in the names OF two
OF the greatest of Canadian mountains.
Mount Donald and Mount stephen.
The record of his life from 1856 is an
array of magnificent achievements and
honors He gave sl,OO0,000 to McGill
University, 81. 600. 900 for the Royal Vic
toria College for the Higher Education Of
Women. 100000 for the foundation
and endowment Of the Royal Victoria
Hospital. He founded musical scholar
ships for Canadians in London. He as
sisted countless poor and talented young
Canadians toward career
At the coronation of King Edward he
gave magnificent endowment to the
hospitals OF London. He gave largely TO
other institutions throughout the British
Empire.
In 1895 he was appointed High Com
missioner for Canada In London and
thereafter he made his home in London
and Scotland. His title Of Baron Strath-
coma and Mount Royal was granted in
1897.
In 1900 Lord str thcona presented 10
the Empire regiment OF horse, COO
cayalrymen spendidly equipped. who were
known as Strathconas Horse and who
did fine service In the Boer war The
Rarony OF Strathcona was made trans
mssibe in the female line in recognition
OF this service.
1t will he borne by his only daughter.
Margaret Charlotte, who married II. j.
| Bliss Howard of Montreal.
Lord Strathcona married Isabella Sophia
Hardisty, a daughter or Richard liardisty
| of Ruperts Land,
Lord Strathcona's favorite residence
| was Knebworth, the ancestral estate OF
the Lytton family. the descendants of
Lord Lytton, the novelist. The estat,
was held under lease. He owned great
| estate at Glencoe, Scotland, the scene OF
the Glencoe massacre, and estates nj
! Colonsay, y, H.; Winnipeg. and at Pic
| tou. N, =.
| His London house was mt SO Cadogan
| Square. where were most of Lord Strath-
conas magnificent collection of paintings
and other works of art including paint
! ings by Raphael, Titan, Turner, Reynolds
Gainsborough, Romeyn. Millais and Con-
1 SalI