Gold, grace and glory, a story of religious life among the wealthy classes of the West and South

Front matter

W-H-MIZE-

Shel f., ^

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Preface

“Verily, I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. ”

“And again I say unto you, It is easer for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

It has been our purpose to show that great wealth, notwithstanding the texts quoted above, is no bar to humble, acceptable service of God. Not only so, but that it is within the power of the wealthy classes to speed the day when the world shall be brought to Christ.

While the following pages are evincive of much more piety among those who have been blessed with a large share of this world’s goods than perhaps is to be found in real life, we believe that a much larger proportion of the very wealthy are servants of God than is generally supposed, especially by the masses of the Christian world. It must, however, be admitted that such a general conversion as is noted among our wealthy characters and the charitable spirit manifested by them, as well as the condition of the blacks upon their southern plantations, approach much nearer to the ideal than the real. But we believe that in no instance has a picture been overdrawn as to duty and possibility.

With a sublime faith that the Holy Spirit will accompany our work, however imperfectly performed, to the hearts of some, at least, who read these pages, and a prayer that they may “accomplish that whereunto they are sent,” we launch “Gold, Grace, and Glory ” upon its mission.

The Author.

Osborne, Kan., November, 1895.

Contents

CHAPTER PAgb

I. Koy and Albert 9

II. Grasshoppers. The Aid Society 13

Chapter I. Roy And Albert

On a bright, balmy morning about the first of September, 1868, a young man stood in his father's front yard in Fayette County, Kentucky. Roy Vanderman, for such was his name, was twenty years of age, of well turned features, fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, and of fine physique. His moral attainments may be summed up in a few words. No young man in all that region was regarded with more favor than he. Roy was the eldest child of one of the most widely known farmers in that section ; he had graduated at Center College, Danville, about three months before, and the vista of his life was now opening before him. He was in more than earnest consultation with his father, and that the son was not in sympathy with the father’s views was evident.

Mr. Vanderman’s worldly possessions aggregated about one hundred thousand dollars, all of which, except some ten thousand in cash, was invested in land and stock. His credit was excellent and he was very careful to keep it so, never going in debt to exceed a very few hundred dollars.

He had four children. Stella was six years younger than Roy, and a brighter or more beautiful flower never bloomed on Kentucky soil, yet with all her loveliness, she scarcely surpassed her sister, Jessie, who was just entering her thirteenth year. But of no less consequence was Johnnie, the baby, and pet of the family. He was in his ninth year.

But few happier families could be found. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderman were sincere, consistent Christians, and lO

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spared no pains to instill the principles of true piety into the minds and hearts of their children. While they were educated and refined, both had been reared on Kentucky bluegrass farms, audit was their desire that their children should also follow the vocation of farmers. But Roy had decided that he was much better qualified for a merchant, and this decision was a great disappointment to his parents.

The result of the conference to which allusion has been made, was, that Mr. Vanderman reluctantly acceded to his son’s wishes and consented to his engaging in business in Lexington, and gave him for that purpose ten thousand dollars, at the same time assuring him that he must expect no further financial aid from him until he and his wife should be through with what would be left after he should do as well by each of his other children.

One of Mr. Vanderman’s greatest objections to Roy’s entering upon a mercantile life was his lack of experience ; but the latter had determined on taking into partnership a young man a year older than himself, named Albert Grayson, whose interest was to be one-third of the profits.

Albert was the son of one of the leading citizens of Lexington. He had graduated at Yale some fifteen months before, and about the same time his father lost almost his entire fortune. The son soon after secured a clerkship in a large dry goods house, and hence, at the time he and Roy engaged in business, had had a limited mercantile experience.

The young men entered upon the business of buying and selling with much enthusiasm, believing they would make money from the start, and in a few years be wealthy men.

The firm of Vanderman & Grayson purchased about twenty-five thousand dollars’ worth of merchandise on a capital of ten thousand dollars. After their first purchases they were compelled to buy entirely on time, and consequently paid the highest prices.

Owing to the inflation of values caused by the war, and the subsequent decline of gold, the tendency of the market was constantly downward, and they lost on many of their purchases, besides making their share of bad accounts. Thus they forged along for two years, when they found themselves with a stock on hand worth about eighteen thousand dollars, and good accounts worth three thousand more. Their indebtedness amounted to over twelve thousand, of which five thousand must be paid in three days or suit would be instituted. Their bankers had assisted them as long as was consistent with safety, and no further aid would be rendered unless the firm could furnish good endorsers.

Mr. Vanderman's father had lost the bulk of his fortune, or about seventy-five thousand dollars, by having endorsed for a friend, and for that reason, the former had long ago determined never to endorse for any one. Roy could, therefore, expect no assistance from his father ; Mr. Grayson was utterly unable to render any, and the young men were at a loss to know whom to ask for assistance, or what to do.

But at this juncture their bankers suggested that the firm assign the stock and accounts, and transfer their insurance policies to Mr. Vanderman, he to assume the liabilities, when the bank would lend him money to pay the debts ; Roy and Albert to continue in charge and sell out the stock at cost. To these suggestions all parties finally consented.

Roy agreed that Albert should receive the same salary he had been receiving prior to their engaging in business, viz. : seventy-five dollars per month, and the former would sustain the loss, whatever it might be, when the stock should be closed out. As Albert had, by agreement, drawn seventy-five dollars monthly, Roy’s liabilities were not increased by this arrangement, nor had Albert any means by which he could make good any part of the loss.

Three months after the assignment the liabilities were paid, the stock and accounts returned to Roy, and a week later he closed out the entire business.

After about two years and three months of the hardest work and greatest worry of his life, Roy found he had lost fifteen hundred dollars of his original capital ; but he had had much valuable experience. He still wanted to follow the calling of a merchant, but had little hope of success in his present location without more capital.

A day or two after he sold out he saw a large poster which set forth in glowing terms the many business advantages offered at Larne, Kansas, and he determined on

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a prospecting trip, with the intention of locating if the place should suit him.

At first Roy’s family, or rather his father’s, were very much opposed to his leaving for the West, but finally his father decided to go with him.

Mr. Vanderman had an opportunity to sell his farm at a good price. If he could have kept his children near him he would not have thought of selling ; but as his son was determined to go West, he and his family desired to go also.

Mr. Vanderman and Roy arrived in Larue about the first of January, 1871. The former was much better pleased with the country than he had expected to be, and purchased an unimproved ranch a few miles from town, which contained ten thousand acres and cost about fortysix thousand dollars. To this property was given the name of Ashland Ranch.

At Roy’s solicitation, his father also purchased ground in Larue upon which he soon afterwards erected a good stone business building which he leased to the firm, and invested an amount of money equal to Roy’s, thus constituting a cash capital of about seventeen thousand dollars.

They rented a business house until their own was ready for occupancy. By the time they were prepared for business, Albert Grayson came out as a clerk.

Roy’s previous experience, and ability to pay cash for his stock, enabled him to buy to much better advantage than could Vanderman and Grayson. His first stock was purchased entirely for cash, and he was surprised to see how much better bargains he could secure than formerly. When it was understood that Vanderman and Co. would own their business house and had the cash to pay for their stock, he found, that as a customer, he was very much in demand. When his stock arrived in Larue, he also found that no house was able to undersell him.

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Chapter II. Grasshoppers, The Aid Society

The afternoon of July 18, 1874, was hot and sultry. Two young Kansas ranchmen who resided about five miles from Larue, stood watching the western sky as a strange dark-looking cloud began to rise above the horizon.

“ It’s no use to expect rain out of that cloud, Maurice, nor any other, in my opinion, in time to save the corn. Nor does it matter how much it rains now, we cannot make more than half a crop ; and three more days like this will not even leave us fodder for our cattle.”

“ I think you are right. Carter, but surely that is a strange looking wind cloud. See the millions of bright, fleecy specks that are continually flashing between us and the sun ! It has all the appearance of a snow storm.”

As they watched the on-coming cloud, they were not long left in doubt. They were standing near a well tilled field of corn which contained about three hundred acres, and from which they had just emerged. Three weeks before this field gave promise of producing eighteen to twenty thousand bushels ; but for that length of time, not a drop of rain had fallen. It would now, perhaps, make half a crop if a good rain could be had speedily. In addition to this field, the young ranchmen had another of two hundred acres. About three hundred acres of very poor wheat, and two hundred acres of equally as poor rye, stood in the shock.

“ Maurice,” continued the first speaker, “ it is all over with our cattle feeding. Do you understand the meaning of that cloud, now?” He was trembling with excitement.

“Can it be possible that that cloud is produced by grasshoppers?” Maurice was no less excited than his companion, for already the advance guard of that vast horde had begun to alight on the field that had become the pride of their lives, because it was the fruit of their own enterprise, if not of their labor.

“ It is even so,” Carter replied grimly.

In fifteen minutes after the first grasshoppers reached the field, every stalk was covered, and by nightfall there was scarcely a blade of fodder left. What was true of that field, was within a few days, true of almost the entire state.

Carter H. and Maurice F. Laverne were very nearly of the same age. The former had just reached his twentyfourth year and the latter was about three months younger. They were third cousins, their grandfathers on the paternal side having been brothers.

These grandfathers, early in life, took to the sea, and by the time the oldest had reached his twenty-fifth year, he had become the captain and his brother the first mate of an East India merchantman. They began life on the ocean as poor boys. When they finally tired of the sea they engaged in business in New York as Importers, and amassed a large fortune. They had but one child, each a son, who were the fathers of Carter and Maurice.

Carter had a sister named Eva, and Maurice had one named Ida. While the four were yet children, their parents sailed for India, the fathers intending to take charge of the firm's eastern business until a competent agent could be secured, the one employed having recently died. But the ship upon which they sailed was wrecked in midocean, and all on board were lost.

The bereaved parents of the lost soon fell victims to their great grief, and five years later, all who were left of the Laverne family were the four children and Aunt Kate, a sister of the grandparents. The latter was an estimable Christian lady who had never married. She made her home with her brothers until their death, after which, she took the place of a most devoted mother to the children.

Carter and Maurice graduated at Harvard three years before we first meet them, and then decided upon a run out west. They were so much pleased with Kansas that they invested a portion of their patrimony in its soil. Like many sons of wealthy parents, they had no taste whatever for the business by which their inherited wealth had been accumulated. But when they looked over the beautiful prairies and valleys of Kansas, and saw what boundless possibilities were presented to men of means and energy, they were not long in determining on a vocation in life, When they returned to their homo in

New York, they carried with them deeds to several thousand acres of as fine land as ever the sun shone upon.

We must now describe more fully the cousins. They were much alike in general appearance. At Harvard they had been leaders in all athletic sports, and because of their resemblance to each other, and almost constant companionship, were denominated “The Twins.”

Carter’s was a little more determined spirit of the two, but what Maurice lacked in spirit he made up in gentleness of manner and bearing. Both had rather dark auburn hair, deep blue eyes, Maurice’s being a shade or two lighter than his cousin’s.

Eva and Ida were as much like sisters as were Carter and Maurice like brothers. Having no sisters of their own, they easily learned to love each other as such. They were beautiful and lovable girls, and ordinarily, where one was to be found, the other would not be far away. In fact, the four, having lived nearly all their lives under one roof, regarded each other as brother and sister, rather than as cousins.

Eva and Ida had passed their twentieth birthday. Having remained in the East to complete their education, they had not, until a few weeks before, seen anything of Western life except the previous year, when they spent about a month at Laverne Ranch during the summer vacation. At the time of their graduation Carter and Maurice were in the East and witnessed the event ; and on the return of the young ranchmen, the young ladies accompanied them, to remain permanently.

The Lavernes purchased their ranch in the summer of 1871. A year later they secured the services of a practical farmer as foreman, and began their improvements. Knowing nothing of farming or ranch life themselves, there was too much good business blood in their veins to think of entering upon such agricultural plans as they had mapped out, without having some one at the fore, on whose integrity and judgment they could fully rely. Such a man they found in honest, sensible Dan Wilson.

About one thousand acres had been broken and put in cultivation. A large and commodious stone mansion had been erected, and it had not only been comfortably, but luxuriously furnished. Barns, cattle sheds, and other out-buildings had been erected, fences built, wells dug, i6

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and many other improvements made, and several thousand dollars invested in horses, cattle, hogs and agricultural implements.

Altogether, these two city-bred ranchmen had invested about one hundred thousand dollars in Kansas. Of course, they had much more wealth back of their Kansas investments. The bulk of the estate left by the elder Lavernes had grown gradually but surely, until each of the grandchildren was worth more than four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It was not, therefore, so much with a view to making money as it was to have some honorable and yet congenial calling, that had induced them to enter upon the life of Kansas ranchmen.

As the cousins looked the next morning upon what had been their fields of corn, the scene that lay before them was certainly not such as to make one enthusiastic over Western farming. Maurice was sad, but Carter was angry.

“Til tell you, Maurice,’’ the latter said, “this Kansas business don’t pay. I am disgusted. We have invested in this confounded State, about one hundred thousand dollars, and couldn’t sell to-day for twenty-five cents on the dollar. My candid opinion is, the sooner we give it up and clear out the better. ”

“ True enough,” Maurice replied after a few moments’ thought, “farming will not pay in Kansas this year; but we do not always have drouth and grasshoppers. Then, you and I have enough left to keep us from starving, and I fear that is more than many a Kansan can say this morning.” After pausing for a moment he continued, “I think 1 see in this grasshopper scourge a use for a little more of my money.”

“ Why, what can you be thinking of? Surely, you do not intend to increase your investment in Kansas, after these miserable grasshoppers have destroyed everything we had in the line of vegetation ?”

Maurice smiled as he replied, “No, I do not care to make any further purchases at present, although if I wished to take advantage of the necessities of some of our poorer neighbors, I presume I could do so to my financial advantage.”

“Well, I am sure I cannot imagine what other field you have discovered for profitable investment, for you

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certainly do not care to enter any of the avenues of trade now open to you, If you do, however,” Carter continued, with a better-natured smile than was to be expected of him in his disgruntled frame of mind, “I have no doubt but you will find a number of Kansas tradesmen willing to accommodate you.”

“No, I do not care to engage in trade, but intend to make an investment in a bank that hitherto, I regret to say, I have not transacted as much business with as I should.”

“ My dear boy, you mystify me more and more by your explanations. Your surplus funds are safely invested, and our local bank has handled us well. What more can you want bankers to do than ours have done ? It seems to me that this is a poor time to be making business changes.” Then looking at Maurice critically, “ I trust these grasshoppers haven’t given your head a twirl?”

“ Well, I am not intending to make the kind of change you seem to think, but as I am not given to the mysterious^ will enlighten you at once as to my intentions.

“There are to-day, thousands of families in the State with starvation before them, and unless aided, there must be great suffering. I do not know of any particular benefit I have been to the world, so far, and I propose during the next few months to be of a little more service. I propose to give liberally myself, and shall go East during the fall and do what I can toward raising funds and supplies for the needy.”

While he was speaking, Ida and Eva came up behind and heard his remarks, as did also Aunt Kate, who was dusting near an open window, just under which the young men were standing.

Maurice soon learned that he had no unappreciative audience. As soon as Carter caught his meaning,^ all signs of irritation and dissatisfaction vanished from his countenance and a softer light came into his eyes.

“I shall help them too,” he said.

Just then the breakfast-bell rang. When all were seated at the table a conference was held.

“ Now,” said Aunt Kate, “as this enterprise for aiding the sufferers originated with Maurice, I suggest that he give us his views. ”

“Well, Auntie, what I have thought is this: A large 2 proportion of Kansas farmers are either poor men, or only in moderate circumstances. Many came west with but little means, If their labor had always been rewarded with such crops as Kansas soil will produce with proper cultivation and abundant rains, but few would be in an impoverished condition this morning. But such is not the case, and no doubt many are now wondering how they and their loved ones are to get through the year, or tide over until they can raise another crop. Therefore, unless assisted, thousands will be compelled to leave the country. Many, perhaps, will return in the spring, but many others will be unable to do so, thus losing their homes, while they will also be lost to the State. But if they are assured of assistance, I do not believe any great number will go.

“ What I have thought of doing was, to contribute a liberal amount to be distributed to the needy of this county, and then go East and seek subscriptions of cash, provisions and clothing. Of course, I have not had time to mature any definite plan or mode of procedure.”

“ I propose,” said Carter, “that we resolve ourselves into an Aid Society. I have not yet learned how much Maurice proposes to invest in his new ‘bank, ’but I will promise him a deposit of a thousand dollars for a starter. How does that strike you ? If it isn’t enough, why, don’t be bashful.”

“I think that is about right for the present ; don’t you, Auntie ? ”

“Yes, and I’ll promise a like amount,” was the reply.

“I have been looking around a little since I came West,” Ida said, “for an opportunity to make an investment, but so far, this new bank of Maurice’s is all I have found that suits me. You. may count on me for a thousand or two.”

“I think a thousand will be all I will call on you for, for the present ; if more is needed, you will hear from me later.”

“I will draw on Mr. Plumer after breakfast for a thousand dollars,” Eva said, “which will be appropriated for the benefit of the grasshopper sufferers.”

“Of course, I may be counted on for another thousand,” Maurice said. “I think this will be a sufficient

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amount for us at present, but we shall doubtless have to go still deeper into our pocket-books before another crop is made.'’

“Yes, I think so myself,” said Aunt Kate. “ But why not try and interest our friends in town, in this work.? I believe a number there would join us.”

The suggestion was considered a good one, and by ten o'clock the party was closeted with the mayor. The result of the conference was that by noon the little city was flooded with posters of which the following is a copy :

GRASSHOPPERS !

“A great calamity has befallen our people, and unless prompt action is taken, many citizens, with their families, will be compelled to abandon their homes, and many others who are unable to go elsewhere must endure much suffering.

“ Let all who desire the future prosperity of the county and state, and who wish to contribute to the necessities of our unfortunate fellow-citizens, meet at the opera house promptly at three o’clock this afternoon. Ladies especially invited.

Geo. W. Warton, Mayor.”

At three o’clock there was scarcely standing room in the opera house.

The mayor called the assembly to order and stated the object of the meeting, when, on motion, he was elected chairman.

Maurice Laverne was called upon to state the action which had been taken at Laverne Ranch that morning. He closed by making an appeal for united effort in behalf of the sufferers, when he sat down. Major Wheaton, one of the most prominent lawyers of the state, arose and said : —

“Mr. Chairman, I am in hearty sympathy with this movement for three reasons.

First, we are dependent for our own success upon that of the farmer. As this is largely an agricultural country, if the farmers and stock-raisers fail, business in all departments must fail also, for they are almost our sole producers of original wealth.

“Second, Whatever of success has attended us in the

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past we owe to the farmer. As a matter of justice, we should assist him in his hour of need, as he has us in his day of prosperity.

‘ ‘ Third, As a Christian community, it is our duty to help the unfortunate.

“ I am averse to doing anything in this matter ostentatiously, but I believe this is a time for public giving, not only that others may be encouraged to give, but that our farmer friends may know of our good will and remain in the country.

“Although I cannot afford to do as much as our friends at Laverne Ranch propose, I think I can spare five hundred dollars for so worthy a cause. When you shall have properly organized, my check will be ready.”

Mr. Layton then arose. He was a tall, good-looking fellow, with an aristocratic air, but with an eye to the main chance. He was regarded with much suspicion by his fellow-townsmen, none of whom believed he was ever actuated by generous motives or noble impulses ; but that in all he did he was looking out for the interests of Moses H. Layton, Attorney and Counselor at Law. He was not quite thirty years of age, and unmarried. On his admission to the bar he settled in Larue, and had since worked up a large practice, but many of his cases and much of his work had reflected no credit upon his personal character.

Major Wheaton was a gentleman in every sense of the w’^ord. He was about forty years of age, and one of the founders of the town, having located near the town site of Larue fourteen years before. He entered the Union Army the following year as second lieutenant of a Kansas company, and four years later, when the war closed, he wore the shoulder-straps of a major.

Mr. Layton was a native of South Carolina, and had not been at all in sympathy with the war-policy of the government, consequently there was no affinity between the two leading lawyers of Larue.

When Mr. Layton arose, his antipathy to anything favored by Major Wheaton led him to say : —

“ It appears to me we are a little hasty in this matter. It is now only about twenty-four hours since the grasshoppers made their appearance. I question very much whether there will exist any considerable destitution among our farmers. It is my opinion that but few will

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^ f ^ L need assistance, and they can be aided much more cheaply through the regular channels. The County Commissioners have full powers to grant assistance to all persons in destitute circumstances, and then the burden will fall on all alike. Besides, no application has been made for aid. I think you will find that they are not going to take kindly to the proposed action, for it is unquestionably an insult to their manhood.

“ As there appears to be nothing before us, I move that the whole matter be referred to a committee of five, and that said committee be instructed to make diligent inquiry as to the probable necessities of the farmers, and report to this meeting one week from to-day.”

Mr. James A. Crusher of the Banking house of Crusher Bros. & Co., seconded the motion. He was in no better repute than the gentleman whose motion met with his approval. The house which he represented had little business except that of lending money at the highest obtainable rates of interest.

There was another bank in the town known as “The Farmers’ and Merchants’,” conducted by a Mr. Plumer, a gentleman of irreproachable character, so far as business dealing goes, and with whom almost the entire banking business of Larue and Denton county, with the exception of loans, was transacted. Of these he had much the larger and better class of business.

Mr. Warton stated Mr. Layton’s motion and then asked :

“ Are you ready for the question ? ”

He was answered by a storm of “noes.” Then Mr. Plumer arose.

“Mr. Chairman,” he said, “ I am not a public speaker, but must say something upon this question.