Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 41, Number 105, 20 March 1916 — Page 12

(page twelve

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM MONDAY, MARCH 20, 191 J: ir n Good. Kaiiroad M 9

J.F. CULLER'S RE

CHARACTER AND ABILITY REVIEWED BY FRIEND

Dead Railroad Genius Showed no Partiality to Employes but Boosted Good Men to the Front.

Showed True Civic Love byWorking for His City and Encouraging Her Young Men.

George B. Conrad, one of Col. J. F. Miller's proteges, apropos of his eighty-fourth birthday, wrote the following tribute, which Is reproduced today as a fit appreciation of Mr. Miller's' sterling qualities: Mr. Miller's life as a beneficial and worthy citizen and capable railroad man, if published in a volume, would prove highly Interesting to the ambitious young American anxious to make the most of his life. Although deprived in old age of the companionship of the one whose sympathlen went out to him in his early struggles and successes, his mind still remains active, cheerful and hopeful, and no man ever visits him and listens to the story of his life as a practical railroad man without becoming Inspired and feeling that no man has a rlht to say that the "world is against him,", and that he hasn't a chance to make the best of his opportunities. Mr. Miller is an optimist in all that the word implies, and has the great

est contempt for the man who goes through life whining and complaining of the lack of opportunities afforded him. lie does not believe in waiting for something to turn up but that the individual by his character and ability bhould create his own opportunity. Some of His Maxims. Some of the virtues characteristic of Mr. Miller's life and for which he has always contended are: Honesty, sobriety, truthfulness, faithfulness, loyalty and self-control, lie always urged upon his subordinates the necessity of living up to their promises; in other words, never make a promise and not live up to it even though it afterward redounds to one's disadvantage. After all, the afore-named virtues are a poor man's asset. If he forfeits any one of them he sacrifices his character. Mr. Miller's ability to judge men's character correctly was remarkable. He rarely failed in this respect. The writer has known of cases where men have entered his office in search of employment, and would be loaded down, so to speak, with letters of recommendation, but Mr. Miller would pay no attention to these, contending that after he talked to a man and looked him in the face he. could invariably Judge as to his character and fitness for the position which he was seeking. Popular as Railroader. The extremely cordial and friendly relations existing between Mr. Miller and his subordinates greatly endeared him to them, and no request for service on his part was ever denied him by them, lie was unusually popular throughout the railroad service, and it is not infrequent to hear railroad men, nld in the service, still refer in the most cordial and affectionate manner to some act of kindness they at one time or another received at his hands. Mr. Miller's high sense of justice and fair dealing to the men employed under him merited the highest commendation. He always insisted upon fitness and real ability above every

thing else, and every man felt that his cause would be justly dealt with if brought to Mr. Miller's attention. This was done even though those nearest to him were concerned, as the writer recalls an Instance where he threatened to discharge his own brother from the railroad service on account of his desire to mete out fair play to one of the other employes. It was the interior of the man that always impressed him, and this quality more than anything else endeared him to the army of men under his employment. Trains Great Men. Some of America's greatest railroad men look back with pride to the careers they had under Mr. Miller, and it is with pardonable pride that he refers to these men as having begun their careers during his regime. Mr. Miller enjoyes the acquaintance of more men in public life than possibly any other railroad man. He was a personal friend of President McKinley and Senator Mark Hanna. His private car, the "38," which was a veritable palace on wheels, was ever at the disposal of President McKlnley. No man ever exhibited a greater interest in his home town than Mr. Miller. Long before the advant of the C. & O. railway when the Pennsylvania was without any railroad competition in Richmond, the latter city was given preference over other cities where there was considerable competi

tion: This was especially true with reference to the distribution of cars to Richmond manufacturers. Maintains Glen Park. Richmond has been the recipient of many benefactions at the hands of Mr. Miller. Along with the other interests which he transferred to the city, no conveyance of property was ever made to the city from which the public has derived such beneficial results as the conveyance of Glen Miller park. Richmond has won much . of its fame through Its most beautiful park. It is not infrequent to hear passengers on passing through trains say: "Oh, this is Richmond, where they have such a beautiful park." Many of our citizens do not know that Mr. Miller maintained this park before its conveyance to the city, for many years at his own expense for the public's benefit. He has ever cherished the' highest civic pride. As a railroad man his name stands among America's most prominent. As United States commissioner of the St. Louis World's Fair he discharged his duties with honor and credit to his home town and state. His life is eminently worthy of emulation and should be an inspiration to the youth of our land who wish to make the most of their lives.

BEAUTIFUL GLEN MILLER PARK ' STANDS AS MEMORIAL TO MILLER

A: memorial to Col. John F. Miller, by. which, he will always be remembered by Richmond people, Is the city's beautiful natural park which bears his name, Glen Miller. The beauty of this park is unsurpassed In the central west and includes several hundred acres. Col. Miller first acquired this property for the purpose of converting it into a country estate. Its rugged beauty , and numerous springs convinced t him that the property was best suited for a public park and he offered it to the city for approximately the same amoiAt he had. expended upon its purchase and improvement. In 1885 the city took over the park for $35,000, issuing bonds to secure the purchase price. There was some criticism of the city's action at that time but the big majority of citizens stood behind Mayor John L. Rupe in his advocacy of the park purchase.

Today no offer would tempt the city to dispose of Glen Miller. After selling the park land Col. Miller purchased property . in Spring Grove, rich in ' natural scenery and converted it into his country estate. He spent a vast amount of money-in the" beautification of this property and it became one of the show places of the state. Some time ago, following the death of Mrs. Miller, this property was sold by Col Miller as the site for the Reid Memorial hospital. Several years ago Col. Miller purchased about 500 acres of farm land northwest of Richmond, and - estab

lished a general stock farm. The development of this stock farm greatly interested him.

STORY OF J. F. MILLER'S CAREER AS FAMOUS RAILROAD GENIUS

Smash in China In the busy calendar of merchandise this is china sale time. The stores present unusual opportunities to replenish the china closet frequently making price concessions. This particular impulse to buy at this season has been built up by recurring advertising. People have been educated to watch their newspaper for the opportunities and many are at this very minute Instinctively turning to the advertising columns of The Palladium.

Colonel J. F. Miller's rise in railroad circles is a history of the development of rail transportation in the United States. Mr. Miller consented to be interiewed by a Palladium reporter in connection with a birthday celebration a few years ago, and the article reproduced below, can be accepted as a word picture given by Mr. Miller himself, for it conveys the facts he set out. In 1850, Mr. Miler, a carpenter by trade, applied for a job on the Cleveland & Columbus railroad, then the first railroad built west of the Appalachian mountains. This was the beginning of his railroad career, which led eventually to his election to the highest position in railroad circles of the west. Cars Like Boxes. This road was a crude affair. The rails were the old style strap rails, and the case run over them more nearly resembled dry goods boxes than the presend-day coaches. Like everything else, the railroads had to have a beginning, and this was practically the beginning. During the first few years of Mr. Miller's life as a railroader his ambition continually urged him to do more and more, and within a year he secured the position as freight conductor. In 1854 he became a passenger conductor on the same road. In these early times the telegraph was in a very crude state, and not until 1853 was this method of cummunlcation and of giving signals used on any of the railroads in the west. Early Changes. In 1855 Mr. Miller secured a position as passenger conductor on the old Steubenville road, which had been built from Columbus, O., to Steubenville. It was then extended to Pittsburg. When the war broke out, Mr. Miller went back to the Clevelend & Columbus road, and after working as conductor for several years he became connected with the Miami- railroad, which had been built later that the C. & C. road. During the war he had charge of all railroads entering Cleveland. There were perplexing duties connected with this position, as every road had Is own freight cars, where now all roads interchange cars to avoid unnecessary transferring of goods. In 1864 the Pennsylvania company sent him to Richmond, with the promise that he would become superintendent here. He reached here May 20, to take the position of trainmaster for a short time in order to learn the road. However, he found that two dispatchers were quitting, and the superintendent, J. M. Hunt, was leaving on a long trip. Therefore he became trainmaster, dispatcher and took the duties of superintendent at that time. Within a few months he succeeded Mr. Hunt as superintendent. Rises in Honor. He had charge of the line from Columbus to Indianapolis, but later the line by way of Bradford was added. In a few years that followed he was given in addition the line from Bradford to Logansport, from Richmond to the Ilinois state line, through Logansport, and in the seventies, when the Eaton and Hamilton road was purchased, the Pennsylvania built Into Cincinnati, he

Whatever is Proper For Men to Wear If It's Haberdaslmy Find It atLichtonfels In The Westcott

was also placed in charge of that line. In 1885 Mr. Miller was made general superintendent of all the lines west of Pittsburg, with headquarters at Columbus. His family resided in Richmond while his headquarters were at Columbus. He was in charge of 1,700 miles of railroad, or all that the Pennsylvania company owned south of the Fort Wayne line. He held that position for fifteen years and was retired on a pension from that position January 1, 1901, but he did not absolutely sever his connections until 1906. In 1901 President McKinley appointed Mr. Miller a member of the world's fair commission of seven men from all parts "of the United States. This was one of the big appointments of the interior at that time. The seven commissioners arranged for the world's fair at St. Louis, and served until they settled up affairs in 1905. Mr. Miller saw the first train load of Mexican war soldiers leaving various points in Ohio in 1847. He was then a young boy, having come to Columbus from his birthplace in Attica, N. Y.

Finland has a greater proportion of its territory covered by timber than any other country in Europe.

JOHN F. MILLER IS GALLED TO FINAUjEST Continued From Page One. unless .there . were guests under his roof and he entertained them with lavish hand. His character was devoid of all petty meaness; he loved life and knew how to make the best of it; he was strict but kindly in the performance of his duties, had a remarkable memory and a keen sense of humor. When "off the job" Col. Miller was content to be on his estate, supervising its ? beautification and amusing himself with the horses and dogs he loved so well." As a landscape gardener he could have made as great a success as a railroad builder. There was no more beautiful estate in America than "Miller's Rue."

Most Notable Deed.

Perhaps Col. Miller's most notable exploit aB a raidroad man was the reconstruction of the : Pennsylvania lines in southwest- Pennsylvania-following the disasterous Johnstown flood, in May, 1889. That won for him national fame. He also rendered invaluable service to his company as its representative during the negotiations for the termination of the great Chicago, strike of 1893, after it had been necessary for President Cleveland to call out the federal troops. ' He won the enthusiastic praise of his superiors for his services at that time. When Col. Miller was retired from active service, January 1, 1901, he received one of the largest pensions ever paid, to an employe of the Pennsyl

vania system. Also ne received a testimonial of appreciation, signed by the president-and secretary of the company and authorized by the board of directors. This testimonial is handsomely engraved and bound in Morocco. In it much emphasis is placed on the importance of his work in the Johnstown district following the flood.

Miller' and his -; men "were on -the job 3,200 feet of trestle work was constructed and 38,000 feet of track put down, requiring -much heavy; grading. It rained heavily every day the men worked, and frequently they labored in water waist deep. Veteran railroad men love to tell of Col. Miller's work during the famous Indianapolis strike of 1874, at which time he was superintendent of , the Indianapolis and Columbus division. He was unexpectedly called to the scene of the trouble and departed post haste, wearing evening clothes and a silk hat. He changed - his clothes about a week later.

Breaks Up Strike.

In the interim conditions in Indianapolis were so bad that it was impossible to move trains in or out of that city. Col. Miller, however, determined to take a train out if he had to drive the locomotive himself. He secured a volunteer to fire for him, but the locomotice would not move because soda-had. been placed in the boiler by strikers. He cleaned the boiler, fired - up again and started through the yards. . Obstacles were thrown . upon the tracks, shots were fired at the engine and he was the target for a bombardment of bricks and stones, but he got his locomotive out of the city. This feat had its moral effect and a short time later the strike ended.

ling the situation the governor of Ohio made Mr. Miller a colonel of the state militia. la April,-1901, the federal government officially recognized Mr. Miller's services as a railroad official when President McKinley appointed him one of the federal commissioners for the Louisiana Purchase exposition at St. Louis. This appointment was made at the suggestion of Senator Mark Hanna. Colonel Miller and Senator Hanna had been close friends as young men. President McKinley was also a great friend of Colonel Miller, and Colonel Miller took him to Washington for the inauguration in his famous private car. No. 38, known all over the southwest system as a "palace on wheels."

McKinley's Friend.

Some of His Sons.

Many of the highest railroad officials in the country got their first training in practical railroading while working under Col. Miller. Among these men are:

J. J. Turner, first vice president of

the Pennsylvania company; H. W. Thornton, general manager of the Great Eastern Railroad of England,

the man who made possible the mob

ilization of the British overseas forces at the outbreak of the present war;

William C. Downirig, vice president of

the Pennsylvania Northwest system; the late William B. Leeds, one of the

j owners of the Rock Island system; J.

S. May, manager or the Butraio & Susquehanna Railroad; J. O. Crockett, president of the Mexican & Northwestern Railroad; his son, Harry F. Miller, former president of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois; Judge E. B. Hutchinson, of Indianapolis, formerly general claim agent of the Pennsylvania Southwest system; Ralph Peters, president of the Long Island Railroad; L. F. Loree, president of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad, and E. F. Kearney, president of the Wabash Railroad.

Fighting the Flood.

After Johnstown had? been submerged with heavy loss of life, railroad traffic in that section of Pennsylvania was paralyzed. Col. Miller was put in charge of the reconstruction work. He took over 1,000 picked men from the Southwest system and in eleven, days had norma traffic reestablished. Through his efforts prompt relief work for the flood sufferers was made possible. During the eleven days Col.

The Title Colonel.

The title of colonel was acquired by Mr. Miller during a railroad strike at Columbus a number of years ago. To give him complete authority in hand-

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Palladium Want Ads. Pay.

President McKinley once laughingly remarked that he believed he would have forfeited Senator Hanna's friendship if he had not appointed Colonel Miller a St. Loui9 world's fair commissioner. Mr. Miller's friends were not confined to those in the higher stations, however. Track walkers, switchmen, brakemen and other railroad men who "served in the ranks" were his great admirers because they knew that in him they had a real friend, who had a kindly interest In their welfare. Last fall Colonel Miller decided to visit the Benjamin Johnson stock farm near Hartford City, Ind. The private car that was once his traveling office and home was sent to Richmond, and

Old Folks Need "Cascarets" For Liver, Bowels Salts, Calomel, Pills Act on Bowels Like Pepper Acts in Nostrils.

Enjoy Life Don't Stay Bilious, Sick, Headachy and Constipated. Get a 10-cent box now. Most old people must give to the bowels some regular help, else they suffer from constipation. The condition is perfectly natural. It is just as natural as it is for old people to walk slowly. For age is never so active as youth. The muscles are less elastic. And the bowels are muscles. So all old people need Cascarets. One might as veil refuse to aid weak eyes with glasses as to neglect this gentle aid to weak bowels. The bowels must be kept active. This is important at all ages, but never so much as at fifty. Age is not a time for harsa physics. Youth may occasionally whip the bowels into activity. But a lash can't be used every day. What the bowels of the old need is a gentle and natural tonic. One that can be constantly used without barm. The only such tonic is Cascarets, and they cost only 10 cents per box at any drug store. They work while you sleep. Adv.

in this car he and a party of friends went 'to Hartford City. It was a triumphal trip for him. and the last one , he ever made. At every station along ' the line veteran railroad men. some in overalls, climbed aboard his car to shake hands with him and wish him Godspeed. By the time the colonel reached Hartford City his car was filled with flowers and other tokens of esteem.

Look at Child's Tongue if Siclt Gross, Feverish When Constipated or Bilious

Give "California Syrup

. - . ui figs..

Look at the tongue, mother! If coated, it is a sure sign that your little one's stomach, liver and bowels need a gentle, thorough cleansing at once. When peevish, cross listless, pale, doesn't sleep, doesn't eat or act naturally, or is feverish, stomach sour, breath bad; has stomach ache, sore throat, diarrhoea, full of cold, give a teaspoonful " of "California Syrup of Figs," and in a few hours all the foul, constipated waste, undigested food and sour .bile gently moves out of Its little bowels, without griping, and you have a well, playful child again. You needn't coax sick children to take this harmless "fruit laxative"; they love its delicious taste, and it .always makes them feel splendid. Ask your druggist for a 50-cent bottle of "California Syrup of Figs,' which has directions for babies, children of all ages and for grown-ups plainly on the bottle. Beware of counterfeits sold here. To be sure you get the genuine, ask to see that it is made by "California Fig Syrup Company." Refuse any other kind with contempt.

Have you the Correct Time? The man who carries a watch procured at this store, may compare time with any one and be sure that his is correct." We have sold watches to men who must rely upon correctness to the fraction of the minute railroad men, physicians, etc, and in every instance only words of the highest praise have come from them. Whether we sell you a watch of gold or silver, or in a gold filled case, you may depend upon the movement being right. We guarantee that. Chas H. Haner 810 Main St Jeweler Glasses Fitted Correctly and Expert Watch Repairing.

USE COOPER'S BLEND Coffee COOPER'S GROCERY

ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY SALE Began Saturday-

Luxurious, over-stuffed furniture for the living room. The above comfortable over-stuffed Davenport, covered with a splendid grade of imported tapestry; 3 soft, loose cushions; length' 80 inches; worth

$70.00. Anniversary price ,

ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY SALE Began Saturday

$56.00

Lett Romniey's Valines (Giuinde Yomi Here

amid Prnces tto Buy

Our special 5-year Electric Iron at only

guaranteed $1.98

TO BE SAVED NOW

f I I

Romev's Special Vacuum Sweeper

easy to operate, adjustable brush, 'j

guaranteed by us; anniver- ( rjfff sary price pO I U

In no table can you find more allround usefulness or greater serviceability than in such a table as shown in our picture of sturdy, sensible mission type. We have many such in

different styles; this one with 26x42

top,- in fumed oak,

only

$15.75

O This Solid Mahogany

This beautiful, solid mahogany Parlor Table in dull finish; 24 inch top. Worth d- Q rrr $30.00; now JJXJ You'll be delighted with this value.

A Convenient, Practical Sulkey $4.45

Folds into a flat and compact package. The frame work is made of steel, finished in black enamel.

Adjustable back, dash and hood.

Rubber tires. Our price

This Divan Bed Daven- dOQ HJZ port, only I D Made of solid oak and nicely finished. Has every appearance of a divan, but contains a perfect bed.

$4.45

Aluminum Roasters

XSjTfxjKi. ALUMINUM

You will find Romey's special Lad da Stule in many kitchens. You should have one. Strong and sturdy, but light and conve- H(g nient; our special price is.. I

We can match up your Chamber Suites with a pretty Dressing Table

and Chair. Our selection is large Another lot of our Special and the values are extra good. Aluminum Roasters, now

Come in and let s see what we can on gaie while they

do ror you. we nave them rrom jast oniy $12.00, $15.00, $22.00, $26.50 up.

98c

This Solid Mahogany Four-Poster Bed, . full

size, extraordinary val

ue, marked $34.00; Anni versary price is

$27.20

This Steam Cooker special is made of pure

aluminum and is a big value QQ for only JOC

rn L.LJ unnsri w w

uurrurirurmi

4UHnJHnJu mill

AVetalBed

w av rrx she

III

Felt Mattresses. These mattresses are of quality, filled with a good grade of quaranteed sanitary felted cotton, covered with extra strong tick well made, evenly tufted, firmly QfT bound PiVO '.They are mattresses of long life and perfect comfort. We most heartily recommend them.

This Bed Outfit consisting of Metal Bed. 2-inch Posts and Heavy Fillers, good Spring and Mattress d- Jk for only iJ4:.OD

Mahogany

Floor Lamps, Silk Shades, from $13.20 up

if!