Omaha daily bee., 1916-05-30
HILL VISITS THE
OMAHA CORN SHOW
Pioneer Railroad Builder Has His
Picture Taken-Makes Most
Notable Speech Here,
HoLDREGE TELLS OF WORTH


The only time that James ]. Hill
made a public appearance in Omaha
< was at the time OF the National Corn
y Exposition, on Thursday, December
9th, 1909.
An invitation was issued to him
Z through T. F. Sturgess, editor Of The
Twentieth Century Farmer, who was
general manager Of the Corn Show,
and VIII A. Campbell, who is now
publisher Of the Helena (Montana)
Independent who at that time was
the manager OF the Publicity Bureau
of the Omaha Commercial club. They
found Mr.. Hill deeply interested in
the work and the possibilities OF the
Corn Show and he promised to come,
but further than this, he agreed to
offer cash prizes amounting to $500
as part Of the premium list, g..
Comes With Son.
Mr. Hill and his party Of leading
railroad officials Of the Great North
ern railroad, including Mr.. l. w.
Hill. now the president OF the board
Of the Great Northern, came to Oma-
ha in a special train He wa shown
about the city and was given lunch
y by the Burlington officials Of Omaha
al the Omaha club.
In the afternoon he spoke at the
corn show on What We Must DO
TO Be Fed. This was a very not.
able address and attracted national
attention. His speech was a message
10 the farmers, showing the necessity
Of better farming Mr., Hill made a
thorough inspection OF the whole ex-
position and stood for some time
looking at the best ear OF corn in the
world, which secured over $500 in
prizes and trophies.
Has Picture Taken.
The Bee photographer, Louis Bost-
wick was at Mr. Hills coat tails as
soon as his speech was over. but his
son, l., w Hill, was zealously guard
ing him from intrusion. Bostwick at
tempted TO interest the empire build
er's son without success, when Mr.
4 I. J Hill turned and said: why.
Louis OF course we want our pictures
taken, You come along with me"
He said; y will be proud TO have
my picture taken with this prize sheaf
OF Montana wheat" and a few in.
stants later the photographer had a
portrait Of Mr., James ]. Hill, Mr.. l..
w. Hill and the sheaf OF wheat--a
picture which has since become ia
nous. The younger Mr.. Hill has said
repeatedly that this is his fathers
favorite picture, and a large enlarge
Inent OF II hangs in. the presidents
room at the Great Northern head
quarters.
In the evening a banquet was ten
dered Mr.. Hill at. the Commercial
club. The occasion was one that ey-
cTyone who was there will remember.
Mr.. Hill was the only speaker and
covered a great range OF subjects OF
which he was a master. for an hour
and half.
Tribute Prom Holdrege.
When apprised OF the death OF
James j. Hill, General Manager Hold
rege OF the Burlington. one OF the
railroads that goes to make up what
is known as the Hill system OF roads
said.
While we felt that Mr. Hill could
not recover, his death comes as a
great shock, bringing feelings OF sor-
row to all OF us, especially those of
Us who have known him so many
years
Mr.. Holdrege looked upon Mr.. Hill
as one Of his close friends. He had
known him socially and In a business
way for may years, regarding him as
one OF the great railroad builders and
operators OF the world Closely asso-
eiated with him in many ways, Mr..
Hodrege knew much relative to his
public, as well as his private life. Al
though deeply engrosaed with busi-
ness cares, according to Mr.. Hold
rege, Mr.. Hill found time TO give
thought to others than those OF his
intimate family. He was recognized
as one Of the most public spirited
men in the northwest. giving largely
TO charity and those who were unfor-
tunatc and in trouble. His gifts TO
the poor were large and thus he was
endeared TO all, He was loved by the
employees OF the Hill system Of roads
and was as thoughtful OF the interest
OF the man on the section as the one