The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-10-05
William ]. CONNERS,
MODERN Midas, DIES
FROM HEART ATTACK
One Time Saloonkeeper, Tycoon
Of Lake Transportation,
Succumbs in Buffalo

Buffalo. N. Y, Oct. 5.-P,-William
!. Corners. Sr.., chairman Of the
Courier Express and Great Lakes
Transit corporation boards. widely
known IN financial. industrial and
political fields. where his interests
extended from his native Buffalo to
Florida and Cuba, died suddenly early
today at his home on Delaware ave
nue., from the effects Of a heart at
tack.
Although MI. Corners health had
become impaired during the past
year he had maintained his usual
routine since his return from Florida
last spring.
Thursday afternoon he spent at the
Courier Express office studying plans
with architects for the new home Of
his newspaper. Friday morning there
developed symptoms Of a recurrence
OF heart trouble from which MI. Con-
ncrs had been a sufferer. But these
wore away later In the day.
This morning he complained OF re-
ncwcd trouble With his heart and his
physician, DR.. J. Carroll Roberts, was
summoned. DR.. Roberts, upon reach
ing his bedside recognized the end
was near and members Of the family
were summoned.
Fought His Way Up
The phenomenal career Of William
]. Corners. ST.. embraced successes
in widely separated fields Of endeav-
or. He fought his way up from dock
lsborcr, saloon-kceper and foreman
of stcvcdores to a commanding posi-
ton as capitalist and industrialist.
After accumulating a huge fortune
IN the businesses Of lake transporta-
ton. newspaper publication and real
ectate, he took his place as a phil
ant!lropist through the gift Of 81 900, :
COO to charity in the city of Buffalo
where he gained his earliest successes
The million was to be raised to five
millions as the need required.
The money. lie stipulated. was for
the poor regardless of a c or creed
administered by q committee com
posed of two ProtestantS, two Cath
o!ics ana two Jews.
Termed Great Corporation
Born lii Buffalo on January 3. 1857
IVY. NOllkIGlo dttSl10Cu ANOAAN oNhAOO
Until he was Is years old. when he OBJ
tanned employment as a porter on a
lake steamer. While sailing the lakes
between Buffalo and Duluth. he OBJ
tain.d experience which was to stand
him in good stead. In 1916. he &C.
c0rnplisllcd what he believed was his
rrcatest achievement. the organization
of the Great Lakes Transit Corpora
ton, controlling about IS per cent Of
the freight and passenger steamships
on the Great Lakes and including ex-
tcnsivc docks. terminals and ware
l.ouscs along the lakes.
When rail lines were forbidden, by
act Of Congress. to W.T.. operate OF
control water transportation lines. Mr.
Corners conceived the idea Of form.
ing 4 company to take oTer the great
fleets operated by the roads. Thi:
plan he was able to ccnsumlnate, ano
tho man, who, at the age Of Is, had
been forccas.lc boy OF a little freight
steamer at So a month. became com
mcdore OF the greatest fleet Of steam
ships in the history OF inland waters
Had Midas Touch
"Canne:s CT the Midas touch" was 9
name often applied to him. Certain
T.. tho ccgnoncn IA deserved in al
Mr.. Corners had to do with lax:
transportation. Florida real estate an6
numerous other projects.
He was one of the pioneers in the
development Of Florida Everglades. Ht
spent 4 fortune in building a road
around the cast side Of Lake Okec-
e.,c!3cc to tic town of. Okccchobet
CITY a;nong o.lci improvements ant
i reported to have rcapcd fabulous
profits from his investments in thai
ssatc.
&c wa married twice. His first
vi.,. Catherine Maiiancy. died In
1-1i. Twelve years later he married
rr-...2 A. Jordan. at West Seneca, N
=. His sen. William J. Corners. Jr.
a q Of the sccond union. succeeded
t, the management Of his fathers en-.