Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1916-05-31
JAMES ]. HILL
DIED MONDAY
The Work of the Great Railroad
Magnate and Empire Builder
Is Finished.
The State of Minnesota Mourns the
Death of it's First Citizen.

James J. Hill, the great railroad
magnate, empire builder, farmer,
financier and philantropist, died at
his home in St. Paul on Monday,
May 20, 1916, aged IT years,
months and 13 days.
His death was peaceful and came
as the result of infection following
an operation for an intestinal
trouble. For several hours before
the end came, he was unconscious.
Mr.. Hill had not been feeling we'll
for some ten days previous to his
demise, but his illness was not con-
sidered serious until a day or two
before the end came. DR.. Mayo of
Rochester and other famous special
lists attended him, but without avail,
owing to the patients advanced age.
Death had found it's shining mark.
Mr.. Hills work in life had been done.
His busy career had reached it's end.
Every member Of his family was
at the bedside when death came with
the exception of one daughter, Mrs.
A. NJ. Beard Of New York. She was
Oil a special train between La Crosse
and St. Paul when MI. Hill died and
reached the death chamber one hour
after he had breathed his last. Mrs.
Samuel Hill, of Seattle, WASH,
another daughter who came by spec
ial train, reached the sick room just
in time to grasp her fathers hand
as he passed away. Walter Hill,
the son who manages the big Hill
farm at Hallock made the run to st.
Paul by special train in six hours
on Sunday afternoon, passing thru
Warren at o'clock. He had him.
self been in an automobile accident
recently and was compelled to use
crutches when moving about. The
other children at the bedside were
James N. Hill, New York; Mrs.
George T. Slade, St. Paul; Mrs. Egil
Boeckman, st. Paul; Mrs. Michael
Gavin, New York; and Miss Clara
Hill and Louis w. Hill, who live at
home.
When the report of Mr.. Hills
death reached Warren shortly before
ten o'clock on Monday, a feeling of
sadness came over all, as the news
spread. Mr.. Hill has always taken
a great deal Of interest in Warren,
has visited the city number of
times in the years gone by, has
spoken at our county fair, and has
here many good personal friends
from pioneer days. This city was
recently the object Of his favor
when North Star College received
the munifcent gift of $4,000 from
him for paying it's Indebtedness.
Out of respect to Mr.. Hills memory
and as mark of esteem, the flags
on all public buildings were raised
at half mast until the day of the
funeral, and the main entrance to
the depot was draped in mourning.
The story Of James J. Hill reads
like fairy tale. Born on farm
in eastern Canada Sept. 16, 1888, he
grew up as boy in rather poor cir
cumstances. At the age of 18 years
with but a limited education he
started out to make his way in the
world, coming almost penniless to
st. Paul, MINI, That was in 1856,
just sixty years ago. Since then the
story of Mr.. Hills life is the story
of the growth and development Of
the Northwest. Drifting into the
fuel and steamship transportation
business he soon entered upon his
real career as an owner and builder
of railroads. AS fnancier, farmer
and political economist, he also dis
tinguished himself. Capitalists the
world over had confidence in his
ability and integrity and his ven
lures we're mostly very successful.
By extending his lines of railway he
unlocked the vast resources of the
great Northwest. The wilderness
began to blossom like a rose, cities
sprang up as if by magic. Mr..
Hills wealth grew rapidly to fabu-
lous proportions and when he died
was estimated at from 100000, 900
to $300,000,00O.
But his main aim in life was not
to make money for himself, although
that followed as a matter of course,
but to do something worth while to
develop the great Northwest and
make it a fit place for man to live
in. During his life, and especially
in his later years he has paid a
great deal of attention to other ac-
tivities besides those of a purely
business nature. Broadly stated, his
aim, though not always understood
was the betterment Of mankind, the
material and moral advancement of
Tho human, racn