Omaha daily bee., 1916-05-30

west with transportation mere ana
he also from the first manifested the
keenest interest in all that pertained
10 commerce and agriculture.
Begins Career at St. Paul.
Mr.. Hill began his wonderful ca
reer as a railroad genius with his ae-
ceptanoe OF the agency OF the 81.
Paul & P4eific railway. Ths rail.
roads OF the northwest at that time
we're in wretched financial condi-
ton. He interested Sir Donald
Smith and other Canadian bankers
and took the road off the hands OF
the Amsterdam security holders. The
road was rechristeGed the ST. Paul,
Minneapolis & Manitoba, and be-
gan an aggressive march into the fer
tile wheat region, with the Pacific
coast as the ultimate terminal. In
1898 came the formal opening OF the
Great Northern line, from Duluth 10
the ocean. Later he acquired a con-
trolling interest In the Northern
Pacific and Burlington systems, until
his transportation interests we're
greater than that OF any other one
man on the continent. Later he ae-
quircd steamship lines on the Great
Lakes and established irregular serv.
ice connecting his Pacific terminals
with China and Japan
Retired -Four Years Ago.
In 1912 Mr. Hill retired from the
active duties OF executive head OF the
Great Northern, and other OF his
companies, after thirty-three years
of active railroading He remained
a member OF the executive commit
tee, but was succeeded as chairman
Of the board by his son, Louis w.
Hill
One Of Mr.. Hills most notable
traits was his extreme simplicity Of
manner and habit Regardless Of
weather, he invariably walked TO and
from his office, probably seldom
recognized in his almost shabby at
tire and with his faded old umbrella
The part played by James ]. Hill
in developing the agricultural re-
sources OF the northwest can never
be oyerestimated, He displayed a
personal Interest and gave helping
hand TO every project that had for It's
object the development OF agrieul-
ture and the bettermcnt OF the con-
dition Of those engaged in the indus
try. He had his own model farm
near St. Paul, where he engaged in
agricultural experiments and the
breeding OF blooded stock. Every
year he made . trip OF inspection
over his vast railroad systems with a
view primarily OF aseertaining the
crop conditions md prospects.
Many Public Benefaetions.
Mr. Hill was a liberal benefactor
OF his home city OF St. Paul. Lii
i braries, schools and numerous other
institutions benefited by his gen
erosity. His own style OF living was
extremely simple. His passion for
paintings was ONE OF the few hobbies
in which he indulged, He possessed
one Of the finest collections in the
world OF paintings OF the modern
French school
Mr. Hill was married in 1867 to
| Mary ]. Michigan OF st. Paul. -Four
children were born OF the union, three
sons and one daughter. All three of
the sons have followed In the foot
steps Of their father by engaging in
the railroad business.
| For several years James J. Hill has
been in the habit OF insisting, both TO
his friends and to the public, that he
was not actively engaged in business.
Stauneh Friend of Belgians.
| Just how active he was during the
last two years OF his life can be
judged only by little evidences of his
master hand in matters affecting the
Great Northern railroad and the
First National bank OF ST. Paul and
by the outstanding accomplishments
in which his will and genius asserted
themselves.
From a world viewpoint, il would
be hard to say whether his staunch
support OF the Belgian people, follow
ing the invasion by the Germans, or
the part played in the negotiations
for the $S00.000.000 loan TO the allied
governments, is the more important.
From the time the work OF succor-
ing the Belgians began. Mr.. Hill took
leading part in the movement. 1t
will probably never be known how
much money he sent to King Albert,
an old personal friend, and how much
he induced others 10 send.
His place as an international figure
was never more prominently dis
played than when the representa-.
tiyes of the allies came TO New York
IN quest OF huge loan. One OF the
first men TO be sent for by ]. p. Nor.
gan was Mr., Hill and his assurance
that he and the people OF the north.
west were prepared 10 do their share
N taking up the foreign bonds is be-
lleyed 20 have contributed largely 10
the success Of the negotiations.
From local viewpoint, Mr.. Hills
| influence IN the unhullding az the
South 81 Paul stock yards takes first
rank Il is said on good authority
{ that without Mr. HilIs financial aud
, moral support the deal whereby Az.
meuf q Company we're induced "a
come 20 South ST. Paul never would
have heen consummafed.
, Mr. Hills claim to being a,
original advocate Of live stock de.
Vflopmsnt IN The northwest V On.
+, Questioned
Governor A. A. Buraauist Or,
Bred All HAEa Al hali siaH on ths
1 capitol and other state buildings IA
j honor et Ma Hhl Later ,he SOW.
: esuaf iktued statements saying