Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1916-05-29

81. Paul. Mimi, May 29.--Jamcs J.
Hill. one OF the last Of the American
empire builders. died ut his home
here at 9:43 a. III. today. following an
operation for the removal OF q car
buncle. On account Of his age. rs
years, he was unable to resist sue
cessfully the shock OF the operation.
James Jerome Hill was called THE
Empire Builder" because he was one
OF the greatest transportation
gcniuses OF an age when railroad
building was the most important fea-
ture OF American expansion.
Hin was born near Guelph On
tario. September ls. 1888. Educated
at lockwood academy, he left his
fathers farm In 1856 and entered
steamboat iine ofiices In 81. Paul.
where he remained ten years.
He was married In 1857 to Mary
Theresa Michigan. About this time
Hin went into the fuel and transpor-
tation business as a member OF the
irm Of Hill. Griggs 4 Company.
In 1870 he established the Red
River transportation company. oper-
ating between St. Paul and winni-
peg. Three years later he sold his
interest In that concern and organ
ICED a syndicate which obtained con-
troll OF the 81. Paul 4 Pacific railroad.
This was reorganized under Hill's
guiding genius. and became known
as the ST. Paul, Minneapolis & Mani
toba Railway company.
Hill officiated as general manager,
vice-presIdent and president Of this
road until It merged with the Great
Northern system In 1890. Hill then
directed the building OF the Great
Northern, extending from Lake Supe-
rior to Puget sound, with northern
and southern branches and a line OF
steamers running to the Orient,
Hin was president OF the Great
Northern until 1907 and chairman OF
Its board OF directors until 1919. He
was also president OF the Northern
Securities company, a director Of sew
eral railway systems and a number
OF banks, and vice-president Of the
New York chamber OF commerce.
One OF the finest collections OF
modern French paintings Is In the
Hill galleries. He also interested
himself in writing and was the author
of several works touching on trans
portation problems. One OF the best
known Is Highways OF Progress.
Hills final collapse came with
startling suddenness. II was late last
week before word OF his serious
condition was allowed TO leak out.
Then It was stated he was merely
from cold, The Mayo
brothers, surgical specialists, were
brought from Rochester, Mimi, for a
consultation and It then developed
that Hill was afflicted with an intes- !
tinal carbuncle.
Newspapermen. motion picture
operators and press cameramen be-
gan besieglng the Hill mansion. It
was learned Sunday that Hill was
worse. He suffered considerable pain !
and was restless, He grew steadily
weaker.
Special trains began bringing
friends and relatives to the bedside.
The best surgeons we're summoned.
Louis w. Hill, president Of the Great
opened his residence next
door for the accommodation of doc
tors and nurses. Early Sunday after
noon Hill suffered q sinking spell.
Rev. Father Thomas Gibbons, pas
tor OF the st. Paul Catholic cathedral
and vicar-general OF the st, Paul arch
diocese. hastehed TO the bedside.
Four hours later Hill was said to
have rallied. At six p. m. his pulse
was reported improved. But at s;s0.
twelve hours before his death was
to come, Doctors Biggs and Gilnllan