Great Fortunes, and How They Were Made. James Dabney McCabe
Press" at work.
SAMUEL COLT.
Birth and parentage—A restless boy—Dislikes school—Early fondness for mechanical inventions—Is sent to boarding-school—Runs away to sea—The story of a boy's invention, and what came of it—Origin of the revolver—Returns home—His chemical studies—Dr. Coult—The lecturing tour—His success—Completes his design for the revolver—Patents his invention—Visits England—Discovery at the Tower of London—Returns home—Formation of the "Patent Arms Company"—Objections of the officers of the army and navy to the revolver—The Florida War—It is decided by the revolver—Triumph of Col. Colt—Cessation of the demand for arms—Failure of the company—Beginning of the Mexican War—Action of General Taylor—No revolvers to be had—A strange dilemma for an inventor—The new model—Contracts with the Government—Success of the revolver in Mexico—The demand from the frontier—Emigration to California and Australia—Permanent establishment of Col. Colt's business—The improved weapon—Builds a new armory—Description of his works at Hartford—A liberal employer—Other inventions of Col. Colt—His submarine telegraph—His fortune—His marriage—Visits to Europe—Attentions from European dignitaries—Witnesses the coronation of the Emperor of Russia—His last illness and death.
SAMUEL F.B. MORSE.
Birth—Parentage—Early education—Graduates at Yale College—Becomes an artist—His masters—Visits England—His first attempt—"The Dying Hercules"—Opinion of Benjamin West—Wins the medal of the Adelphi Society of Arts—Ambition as an artist—His cold reception by the Americans—Mr. Tuckerman's comments—Organizes the National Academy of Design—Visits Europe the second time—The homeward voyage in the "Sully"—News of the experiments at Paris with the electro-magnet—How the electric telegraph was invented—Morse is made a professor in the University of New York—Completion of his model—An imperfect telegraph—His first experiments—The duplicate finished—First exhibition of the telegraph—Morse applies for a patent—Visits Europe to introduce his invention—His failure—Seeks aid from Congress—A disheartening effort—A long struggle—Independence of Morse—Despondent at last—A sudden lifting of the cloud—The experimental line—The trial—A curious Cabinet Minister—Success of the telegraph—Establishment of companies in the United States—Professor Morse wins fame and fortune—The telegraph in Europe—Honors at home and abroad—A list of his rewards—Morse originates submarine telegraphy, and predicts the laying of an Atlantic telegraph—Personal characteristics.
JAMES HARPER.
The Brothers Harper—Birth and parentage of James Harper—The Long Island home—James Harper goes to New York—Becomes a "devil"—Winning his way—How he gave his card to a stranger—Arrival of "Brother John"—Good habits—Sets up for himself—"J. & J. Harper, Printers"—How they started in business—Integrity rewarded—First job—Their first effort at stereotyping—The Harpers become publishers on their own account—Their early ventures—Feeling their way to success—Their publications—Character of their books—How they drove the "yellow covers" out of the market—Their prosperity—Admission of new partners—The great fire—Destruction of the establishment of Harper & Brothers—Energy of the firm—Re-establishment of their business—Their new premises—Description of the buildings—Personal characteristics of Mr. James Harper—Religious life—Liberality of sentiment—His industry—Elected Mayor of New York—Kindness to his operatives—Physical Vigor—"The Lord knows best"—Accident to Mr. Harper and his daughter—His death.
JAMES T. FIELDS.
The old "Corner Book-store" in Boston and its associations—Carter & Bendee employ a new clerk—Birth and early life of James T. Fields—His literary talent—Governor Woodbury's advice—Enters mercantile life—Determined to rise—His studies—The result—Associated with Edward Everett at the age of eighteen—His business talent—Steady promotion—Becomes head clerk with Allen & Ticknor—Establishment of the firm of Ticknor & Fields—Success as a publisher—High character of his house—Relations toward authors—Publications of Ticknor & Fields—Removal—Organization of the firm of Fields, Osgood & Co.—The new book-store—An elegant establishment—Mr. Field's literary success—Statement of a friend—"Common Sense"—His contributions to the periodicals of the firm—Travels in Europe—Personal appearance.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT.
Birth—Intended for the Romish priesthood—How he was induced to come to America—Arrival in Halifax—Comes to the United States—What came of a shilling—Employment in Boston—Reaches New York—Attempts to establish a school—Becomes connected with the press—Success of his Washington letters—Services on the "Courier and Inquirer"—Leaves that journal—Removes to Philadelphia—Establishes "The Pennsylvanian"—Ingratitude of his political associates—Returns to New York—Establishment of "The New York Herald"—Early difficulties of that paper, and how Bennett surmounted them—The first "Herald" office—A determined effort to succeed—First numbers of "The Herald"—How one man carried on a newspaper—A lucky hit—The first "money article"—The office burned down—The great fire—Bennett's reports of the disaster—Success of "The Herald"—His first advertising contract—Increasing prosperity—The journal of to-day—How it is conducted—The new "Herald" office—Bennett's pride in his paper—Personal characteristics—His independence.
ROBERT BONNER.
Birth and parentage—Emigration to America—Becomes a printer—A first-class compositor—Engaged upon the "Evening Mirror"—The "Merchant's Ledger"—Bonner purchases the paper, and changes its name to the