AN AMERICAN RAILWAY KING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 14, 19 October 1880, Page 3

AN AMERICAN RAILWAY KING.

» Among the remarable men in the United States is one coming to the fron? of whom piesently much move will be heard. His name is Victor Newcomb, aud he israpii ly using to a position not nnlike that held some years ago iv England by Hudson, ilie Railway King. It is believed he will have built up a fortune of two millions sterling by the time he enters his fortieth year. Newc . mbs' field is the purchase and combination of railway companies. He is now vice-president of tho LousviHe and Nash-ville mad, and is the soul of the undertaking. Ho coatrols. more or less, all the lines between Chicago on the north. and, the,. Gulf of Mexico on the southy and between St. Louis. Memphis, and New Orleans on the west, and the Atlantic Ocean. Having brought his passengers and freight to the seaboard, it is in his steamers that they are cairied to New York or Cuba ; and from Charleston southwards to New Orleans, Newcomb controls every port. This enormous property comprises over 5000 miles of railway, and five or six lines of steamers; it is worth over £24,000,000, and does a busniess ot £10,000,000" per annum. Young Nowcomb's father commeuced the enterprise, and largely succeeded when the Civil War interfered and stopped further progress. Another effort was made ; then came the panic of 1878, and Mr Newcomb saw nothiug but ruin before him At this jmv hire young Newcomb, who had but shortly before returned from completing his.jeducation in Europe, voluuterred to soli the bonds of the ' Louisville ami Nashville. . Eailwayi in London. He succeened, returned home to receive his father's dying words, and before he was 30 years found himself entrusted with au organisation such as no man at his age had ever before managed. He has bought line after line, to unite his various ways ; and is now "making the busiest preparations for the future.