The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-06-01
JAMES JEROME HILL.
A great man has passed away.

JAMES JEROME HILL.
A great man has passed away. At
ter a.. brief illness James j. Hills
earthly career ended at his home in
St. Paul on Monday morning, and now
Eall that is mortal Of him reposes close
by beautiful lakelet on the North
Oaks Hill farm, near the outskirts Of
the city.
James J. Hill was born near the lit
tie town of Guelph, Wellington county,
Ontario, Sept. 16, 1888, hence he
would have been 70 years old next
September. Both his parents were
natives of Londonderry county, Ire
land. The story of his life has been
told and retold times innumerable.
Mr.. HILLS first visit to Princeton
was in the summer Of 1880. He came
across country from the St. Paul and
Duluth road, via Cambridge, in a one
horse buggy, accompanied by Engineer
John H. Stevens. They were making
a preliminary examination Of the
country preparatory to selecting a
route for what is now known as the
St. Cloud and Hinckley branch of the
Great Northern. The nearest railroad
point to Princeton then was Elk ,Riv-
er, 20 miles to the south. There was
not a foot. Of railroad in those days
in Mile Laos, Isanti or Kanabec coun-
ties. Our people were greatly stirred
up over the unheralded visit Of the
great railroad magnate and his chief
engineer--for even in those days
Jim" Hill was,a big man in the popu-
larestimation. The leading citizens:
were hastily: called together and met
Mr.. Hill in a.. P: Barker's.law Office
a. little box like wooden structure that
stood on the site ofytheepresent Odd
Fellows building: They were all
eager an anxious for railroad. and
Mr.: Hill was plyed with questions. But
he said he was just looking over the
country, and vouchsafed no other in
formation. But he asked numerous
questions regarding the topography of
the country, soil, crops, etc., and after
stay Of couple of hours headed
toward St.Cloud. Less than IS months
from that time trains were running
over the new railroad between St.
Cloud and Hinckley. -
In Tho - 1000
cation Of Princeton citizens met Mr.,
Hill in his Office at St. Paul to talk
railroad" Two or three preliminary
surveys were being made east of
Princeton, and Mr.. Hill was not quite
ready to talk ''business" to the Prince
ton people, but he did talk most inter-
estlngly on almost every other subject
save the one that vitality concerned all
OF the visitors, who came home rather
dlsconsolate. A few weeks later. by
appointment, the Princeton delegation
again met with Mr.. Hill. After con-
siderable talk had been INDUCED in
with Mr.. Hill doing most of the talk
ing, in answer, to a direct inquiry by
the writer, Mr.. Hill assured the Prince
ton people that he would build road
from Elk River to Milaca, via Prince
ton, if certain conditions that he i'm
posed could be complied with, and less
than eight months from that time
trains were running over the road.
Mr.. Hill has always manifested
friendly interest in Princeton, and as
an evidence Of his friendship we have
one Of the finest depots Of any of the
country towns on the Great Northern
system. Time and time again, by his
personal direction, favors have been
granted. our town and grievances have
been promptly remedied when brought
to his attention.
Mr.. Hill was easily the first citi-
zen of Minnesota, and one of the really
great men of the nation, and was so
regarded at home and abroad. He
has rightly been termed 'The Empire
Builder" He has contributed more
toward the development and up-build-
ing of Minnesota and the entire North
west than any other man or agency,
and future generations will delight to
honor the memory Of James J. Hill.
Men who have always been staunch
c,,ppor+orc of Copo+o,, r1o,o~ 80. L.