Transcript
Introduction
Like most dynamic individuals of any generation, James J. Hill displayed what Allan Nevins once called a sort of lunar dualism. His positive traits were quite remarkable, a quick intelligence, a power of analysis, an incredible power of will and personality and an unparalleled work ethic and commitment. His negative attributes were mirror images of the positive: an extreme irascibility that sometimes exploded into rage, a willfulness that could turn into outright ruthlessness and such a preoccupation with the purpose at hand that he sometimes lost sight of the broader perspective.
What does one conclude in the final analysis about this remarkable man? It is entirely appropriate that the passenger train from Chicago to Seattle is called the Empire Builder in his memory for his hand reached into every aspect of building the regional economy and social order, from transportation to agriculture, mining, lumbering, maritime trade and town and city building. His larger-than-life stature is well attested by the persistence nearly 80 years after his death of his memory and legend. The various determinants, no doubt, are correct that events shape people, more than people shape events. But the life of James J. Hill certainly demonstrates the impact one willful individual can have on the course of history. We shall never see his like again, and that simple fact adds yet another dimension to the fascination his life will afford to each new generation.
All right. So that's an excerpt from the book that I read this week and the one I'm going to talk to you about today, which is James J. Hill, Empire Builder of the Northwest and it was written by Michael P. Malone. So I found out about -- apparently, James J. Hill is really famous, really well known. I had never heard of him until I was reading, I think, it was Poor Charlie's Almanack. And Charlie, in a speech, listed the kind of business operators that him and Warren admired, and James J. Hill was on that list. I started doing some research into books and stuff. And then I also found that if you took all the great American fortunes that have ever been built and adjusted for inflation, Hill would be one of the 50 richest entrepreneurs to ever live in America.