The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-06-02
BUILDER OF RAILROAD
LEADER in FINANCIAL,
CIRCLES is STRICKEN
From Mondays Daily.

Mr.. Hill was unconscious for nearly
twelve hours before he died. DR.. Her
man M. Biggs of New York and DR..
Stanley Seager, of the Mayo staff, to-
gether with members of his immedi-
ate family, were at his bedside when
the end came.
Mr.. Hills personal secretary, M. r.
Brown, made the announcement of
his distinguished employers demise
to the waiting newspaper correspond
ents at the Hill residence. His state
ment was made verbally. Questioned
regarding the date for the obsequies,
Mr. Brown said no arrangements had
been discussed. The secretary ap-
peared greatly affected and defined
to talk further than to make the bare
announcement of Mr.. Hills death.
According to a statement issued by
surgeons at noon today Mr.. Hill died
of blood poison due from intestinal
catarrh and hemorhoids
Governor Burnquist has ordered
that all public flags must be haff
masted until after the Hill funeral.
Archbishop Ireland will probably con-
duct the services.
Early Day Predictions.
st. Paul, Mimi, May 29.-Dr Her
man NJ. Biggs, who has been attend
ing James j. Hill, the famous railroad
magnate, stated this morning at S:45
O'Clock that Mr.. Hill was very low
and probably would not live through
the day. He said Mr.. Hill had slept
somewhat during the night. There
was very little hope of his recovery
The same admissions were made by
George A. Mcpherson, personal
friend of the Hill family, who spent
the night at the Hill residence.
Funeral on Wednesday.
limited Press Dispatch
st. Paul, Mimi, May 29.-The flu
neral of James J. Hill will take place
at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon
This announcement was made today,
but further particulars were not
given out. Whether the service will
be conducted by Archbishop Ireland
is a question, as Mr.. Hill was not
Catholic, though he and the arch
bishop were close friends
Twin city newspapers roughly esti-
mate the fortune of Mr. Hill at $780,
O0O, 900.
Immediately after the death of
James j. Hill, his son, Louis W. Hill,
passed into complete control of his
fathers affairs. Ralph Budd will con-
tlnue at his present post in the man
agement of certain features of the
Hill interests.
Change in Northern Pacific Predicted.
While Mr.. Hill lived, he would not
let the Great Northern and Northern
Pacific railroads compete. Now, it is
understood that much of the North
ern Pacific stock is owned by the Ma
tional City bank of New York 1t is
possible that this stock may unite
with other stock and get controlling
interest in the Northern Pacific. The
National City bank is understood to
be controlled by the Rockefeller in
terests, and these have been long in
favor of having the Northern Pacific
run in open competition to the Great
Northern. Thus it is thought the
death of Mr.. Hill may break up the
merger of these two great lines.
There Were No Death Agonies.
st. Paul. Mimi, May 29.-James J.
Hill, the railroad king, died this
morning at 9:433 o'clock. Death
came quietly. There were no death
agcnies. Mr.. Hill lapsed into uncon-
seriousness several hours before death
took place.
Fifty years ago Mr.. Hill was al
most penniless. Today he is the
owner of controlling interests in the
Great Northern, Northern Pacific and
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy rail-
roads, the Northern Pacofc Steam
ship company, whose ships traverse
the Pacific ocean and the Northern
Steamship company, whose vessels
ply the Great Lakes.
But One Child Absent.
There was but one of his children
who was not present at the bedside
of the great magnate, when he
breathed his last. This was Mrs A.
M. Beard of New York, who made a
race across the continent in special
trains, in an endeavor to see her
father before his soul hal left this
earth. Mrs. Samuel Hill, another
daughter, also travelled many miles,
after hearing of the seriousness of
her fathers illness, and she arrived
just few moments before he died.
Walter Hill arose from a sick bed
and hurried from Hallock, Kittson
county, to gather with his brothers
dliu olSJClo Ucdlu
bed.
Two Business Conferences Held
Two business conferences were
held by Mr.. Hill on his death bed. He
realized that his end was near and
there were certain business affairs
that he desired to dispoes of, while
he still was among the living of this
world. Sunday he called several
railroad men and two bank officials
Mr.. Hills family has always been
carefully guarded from the glazing
light of publicity, as far as most of
the private affairs OF the family were
concerned However, it is well known
that the family life of the Hills has
been one of almost ideal happiness.
It is known that all of the very i'm
portant business deals made by Mr..
Hill was transacted after a consulta-
ton with his wife. Mrs. Hill is a
woman of the middle classes.
1t is agreed by the physicians at
tending Mr.. Hill that he would have
stood a good chance for recovery
after his operation, if he had been a
young man. His seventy eight years
weighed him down.
Eof1 Cihhnnc ond