Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-20
JAMES j. HILL, EMPIRE BUILDER
Minnesota Delights Honor Her Most Distinguished Citizen
Who Has Made His Lifework a Wonderful Romance.
The promoter" Who Promoted the Northwest
By THEODORE EDWARDS

career In 1870, when, with partner he organ
lied the Red River Transportation Company
and built two boats. These, in connection
with stage route, furnished the first
through service between st. Paul and Win
nipeg. While he was serving as an agent
of this road it fell to his lot to pilot the two
scientists, Louis and Alexander Agassiz, on a
trip through the Red River and Lake Supe-
rior country. 1t was thus that he learned of
the great mineral wealth of this country and
led him later to make the investments which
yielded him so much of his wealth.
In 1873 the ST. Paul and Pacific Railroad,
which had extended its line to the Red River
became bankrupt Mr.. Hill organized syn
dicate which purchased the line This road
was eventually extended to winnipeg, and
helped to develop the province of Manitoba
as great wheat country. At about this time
Mr.. Hill became identified with Lord Strath-
coma and others in the construction Of the
Canadian Pacific from Montreal to Van
couver Before that line was completed Mr.
Hill withdrew and concentrated on the Great
Northern from st. Paul through North Da
kota' Montana and on to the Pacific coast.
With the construction of this line Mr.. Hill
also developed his colonization scheme. Long
before the line had been completed he sent
to Sweden to induce inhabitants of that king
dom to emigrate to the Northwest That it
was successful is proved by the large num-
Der of Swedes there now. Not content with
the completion of this transcontinental line.
Mr.. Hill organized a steamship service be-
tween Seattle and Japan, and began the de-
velopment of the great trade between the
Pacific coast and the Orient and compelled
the tide of commerce TO turn westward.
Not Eligible to the Presidency
Mr Hilrs interests, however, were not con-
fined to railroading. He knew the farming
industry as thoroughly as he did railroadine
and he devoted himself passionately TO teach
ing the intensive cultivation of the soil. He
furnished the farmers with good seed en-
couraged the organization of agricultural COL
leges' Not only that, but he sent to England
anu the continent for fine horses and cattle
"hich ne distributed among the farmers on
terms OF easy payment. In every way he
couid ne encouraged capital to invest. and
when American capital was timid he secured
1t from abroad.
Aithoush Mr. Hill is now Minnesota's most
,aihouS cilizen' this country cannot claim
MN as native. He was born in a log ga hin
uueiph' ontario, n years ago, and is
not eligible TO the Presidency His father
had mapped out for him the life OF q olara,,
man. but this did not appeal to Young nm
the death of his father compelled the No., =.
go TO work as clerk when he was IA wears
OF age That job paid him one dollar a vel,
lie subsequently took other positions ,nt, -
landed In st. Paul at the age of IS years as
dock hand. "S
AS boy Hill developed taste for studv
and good reading. Although he was witbort
trainine' both his speeches and magazine
articles show decided literary quality His
DOOR, Highways Of Progress" reveals hin,
as seer a philosopher and an economist
whenever he speaks the country listens for
ne always has something to say, and he saws
1t lucidly and effectively says