Mr. Williams looked to Gilbert, “I need to talk to you. Let’s go to the den to discuss business.” Gilbert was flattered to be involved in business matters. Up until then, he had just taken orders or asked for advice concerning the horses.
Mr. Williams opened the sliding door into the entry hall of the house and lead Gilbert to the den. Mrs. Williams followed them, “Shall I make some tea Charles?”
“I would like some. How about you Mr. Fenny?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Gilbert answered.
They entered the well decorated den with a large window. He tossed a small log into the fireplace that had a small flickering flame in it. He stepped behind a beautiful oak desk, picked up a slip of paper from it. He then gestured for Gilbert to sit in one of two comfortable looking chairs. Gilbert chose the closest one. Mr. Williams sat down in a chair next to him.
He started to speak with his voice cracking weakly. This was completely out of character for the confident and robust Charles Williams. His speech tone also lacked the great enthusiasm and confidence it normally had. “I want you to call me Charles for now on. You have been faithfully working for me for many years, and you are now a man, and one of my close devoted friends. I could not have done what I have done here without your assistance. For that, I must thank you and I want to offer you this bonus. This is a check for one thousand dollars.” Mr. Williams held out a check for Gilbert to take. Gilbert looked at him like he was destined to visit the asylum down the road. “I think you deserve more and you may get it.”
“Mr. Williams,” Gilbert addressed.
“Charles.”
“Charles,” Gilbert corrected himself awkwardly, “You have given me the biggest fortune a person could ever receive. That fortune has nothing to do with any amount of money.” Mr. Williams listened intently, “Do you have any idea what would have happened to me if you hadn’t taken me in the way you did?”
Mr. Williams chuckled, “I have some idea.”
Gilbert looked into his eyes that glistened with tears. “Then keep your money. I don’t want it. You have a family to care for.”
Mrs. Williams knocked lightly on the door and quietly opened it carrying in a tray with a tea pot, cups and sugar balanced on it. Mr. Williams and Gilbert both got up to assist her.
“I got it,” she said, and the two men retreated. She placed the tray on a small table between the chairs, then left quickly.
“Mr. Williams.”
“Charles, please.” He requested once again.
“Charles,” his words were forced out awkwardly, “I owe you so much. More than I will ever be able to repay. I was alone, and nowhere to go when I was twelve years old. You took a great chance on taking me in. You didn’t know me and what I would do. You gave me a place to live and a job that I love. It was a dream come true for me. Things couldn’t have turned out any better for me.” He shook his head vigorously, “I owe you and your wife for being parents that I didn’t have. I don’t want your money, because I did not earn it.”
Mr. Williams was silent for a moment before he spoke. “I appreciate your praise, Mr. Fenny.”
“Gilbert.”
“All right, Gilbert,” he chuckled, “We want you to have it. You will insult us if you don’t take it. Take it as a wedding gift, for when you get married, please take it.” He said in a very stern manner. Gilbert felt he truly would be offended if he didn’t take it.
“I would never want to insult you,” he took a deep breath and slowly with great reluctance reached out to take the check.
“Good,” Mr. Williams spoke as Gilbert finally grabbed it. “I have made some decisions that will effect many people.” he paused briefly. “Gilbert,” he firmly iterated, “this is not something we want to have spread all over town just yet.” Gilbert’s stomach began to turn sickly as he anxiously waited to hear what was going on. “I have been offered a great opportunity from the city of Galesburg, to go there, build a race track and breed horses. I love this city and what we have done here. We have brought the racing capital of the world here to Independence.”
Gilbert for the first time interrupted Mr. Williams, “You are responsible for the accomplishments here. It could not have been done without you, sir.”
“It could never have happened without the participation of everyone in this community. I don’t think there is another city in America, that could have done what we have done here.”
“Are you going to leave us for Galesburg?”
“I think it would be the best thing for my family and I to do,” Mr. Williams shook his head, “I didn’t do very well this year, and may not be able to keep things rolling.”
“Mr. Williams, Charles, I mean,” Gilbert caught his thoughts, “in these past years, I have never heard you talk as a defeated person. I think you must have a good honest reason for leaving. Won’t the city help you out? I know they will.”
Mr. Williams held up his hand to stop Gilbert from continuing, “Many have offered to help keep things going and I turned them down. I have decided to give my assets back to the city and they can do with it as they please.”
“All, your assets?” Gilbert asked astonished. “Sir, you must have three hundred thousand dollars in assets.”
Mr. Williams was amused, “More like two hundred fifty thousand dollars, but I was one hundred thousand dollars in debt. Richard Campbell accepted, my turning over all the assets to satisfy that debt. The city benefits and I can get a good clean start in Galesburg, no strings attached. Everybody wins.” Mr. Williams waved his hands in frustration to stop any further argument since the decision had already been made. “Let me get back to why I wanted to talk to you, tonight. I want to express my gratitude for your devoted service over the years, and to offer you an opportunity to come with us to Galesburg as a trainer. You will be in charge of all training of my horses. I don’t need an answer today. You need time to really think about it. We won’t be leaving for awhile.”
They continued to talk about how things would be in Galesburg. They also discussed what may be here for him in Independence if he stayed. This conversation was like gold to Gilbert. When Gilbert left the Williams home, he felt very confident his own future would be good no matter what he chose to do.
The next several days were spent thinking of the advantages of staying in Independence, and the advantages to going to Galesburg. He knew he would have a job if he went to Galesburg, with the best boss in the world. He also knew he wanted to have his own business and to get married.
With the bonus money and the money he had saved, would make it very easy to start his own business and marry Clara. He wanted to marry Clara, but he also wanted her father’s consent to the marriage. It wasn’t absolutely necessary her father agree with their marriage, but if he would accept it, their marriage could flourish. He knew Clara would marry him in any case, but he had to give Mr. Groober a dignified opportunity to express his feelings on the matter.
The citizens of the city did not want to see the great racing end, so a group of businessmen formed the Independence Driving Club. The board members were prominent businessmen that combined with the investment of one hundred other businessmen in town to keep Rush Park going. The board members were Mr. C. E. Ransier, Mr. C.A. Thompson, Mr. W. H. Morse, Mr. W.D. Ham, Mr. T.F. Curtiss, Mr. B. W. Tabor, Mr. J. Hussey, and Mr. A.A. Farwall. Mr. Z. Stout was named as president, Mr. A. H. Farwall was the secretary, and W. W. Donnan was the treasurer.
They insisted that they would continue to hold meetings with high purses and top services, just as the town had supplied in the past years. It would be different without the presence of the determined and vibrant Mr. Williams, but they were confident it could be done. It was a sad time in Independence when the citizens were made aware of Mr. Williams departure plans. ‘The American Trotter,’ magazine was closed down and much of the equipment was purchased by Mr. Barnhart.
Plans were
made for Mr. Williams to leave Independence on April 11th with fifty-four horses and many close friends to fulfill a three year contract in Galesburg to establish a race track and breeding farm. They had deluxe train coaches, allocated for them to transport the contingent to Galesburg. They were to depart on the Burlington Cedar Rapids Northern Railroad Station early that morning.
It had taken a few days to load up the fourteen freight cars with the belongings of Mr. Williams and the families of several of his followers. Friends traveling with him were G. W. Williams, Fred Williams and family, C.H. Hedding and family, James Ferris, Charles Cox, George Tesd and William Hughes and family. Barney and Katie decided to take their month old baby boy, named Charles, to Galesburg to work for Mr. Williams.
Gilbert assisted in getting all the horses boarded on the freight cars before sun up that morning. He went to the special passenger car to say good-bye to his mentor and friend. He found Mrs. Williams who was calm, but showed all the signs of having been crying. “Good-bye Mrs. Williams,” he said softly as he approached her. She outstretched her arms to give him a great hug. The children crowded around him to giving hugs.
The small Etholeen wrapped her arms around his leg. She continued to hold on tightly as the boys broke away, to follow their mother to the special car. Etholeen squealed out, “I will miss you, Gilbert.”
He reached down to pick her up. Etholeen wrapped her arms around his neck, “I will come to visit sometime.”
“You promise,” she asked.
“I promise,” he reassured her. He put her down, then watched her run to her mother, who had turned to see where her daughter was. Mrs. Williams smiled one last time at Gilbert as she disappeared stepping up into the train car.
A crowd had gathered around to see the Williams’s and followers off to Galesburg. There were many men lined up to show their support for a man that had brought so much prosperity to the community. The handshaking and pleasant goodbyes took several minutes. The sun was just coming up when the train was ready to pull out.
Mr. Hussey had a tough time holding back emotions, but he was able to hold back his tears and say goodbye like a man. Gilbert stayed back for a moment and when Mr. Williams saw him, he approached him. The two walked toward each other with smiles on their faces.
“Gilbert,” Mr. Williams spoke first, “my good friend, are you sure you don’t want to come along?”
“Well, I hope to get married and discuss my future plans with her.”
“Clara?” He asked without the need to ask.
“Yeah, she is the only one that would ever marry me.”
“You know her father doesn’t like you.” Mr. Williams said bluntly knowing that Gilbert already knew that fact.
“I know,” Gilbert said, “I will still ask for his permission first anyway. If he says no, I’ll ask Clara anyway. I’m leaving later this morning for Dubuque.”
“He is having some financial problems. He probably will be glad to get her out on her own. However, she may be the only one, making any money in the family.” He said sadly, then he laughed, heartily. “Good luck, son. Come see us sometime, we have a spare room for visitors.”
“I have already made a promise to do just that. So, I will be seeing you.” Gilbert’s smile left his face and suddenly a course, serious voice flowed out of his mouth. “Could you do a big favor for me? If you think it is appropriate?”
Mr. Williams sensed the serious feeling that struck him deeply, since Gilbert seldom asked for anything. “Well, I will certainly do whatever I can.”
“Could you send this telegram when you reach, Galesburg?” Gilbert handed him two slips of paper and a dollar bill. Mr. Williams read the note.
He slowly smiled before he said, “I think this is a grand idea. I should have thought of this long ago. You will make a good businessman, Gilbert.” The two men shook hands and without hesitation it turned into a bear hug. They separated and without looking back. Mr. Williams got on board the train.
Gilbert watched as the train pulled away, heading south, out of town with a sad rail to wheel sound. On that train leaving Independence was the only man that raised and drove three horses that had broken the 2:13 mark for trotting the mile. The only man to have two horses that held the World Stallion record during their careers. He had done it against the odds. His small breeding farm had outclassed the large breeding farms in Kentucky and California, while Iowa had none. At that time, when he left for Galesburg, horses that had raced in California held five world records, horses racing in Iowa had four world records, while Kentucky could boast of none.
Gilbert pulled out his watch from his pocket and looked at it. He caught the trolley that took him back to Rush Park. Gilbert had made arrangements to move his belongings to a room at the Gedney Hotel until his future would be determined by future events later that day. He changed his clothes, filled his travel bag for the trip to Dubuque. He was now wearing a nice suit and overcoat. He wanted to impress Mr. Groober with his success.
He picked up his large leather bag, and walked calmly toward the entrance to Rush Park in hopes to catch the trolley on it’s return trip to town. He could see down the track that the trolley was stopping to pick up passengers at the Cedar Rapids Burlington Northern Railroad station. He wanted to trolley to the Illinois Central Station in order to catch the morning train to Dubuque.
Chapter Eighteen
Face to Face
His stomach was tied in knots as thoughts continually drifted to the unpredictable meeting he planned with Mr. Groober. He noticed the trolley, he could see a half mile down the tracks, was moving away from him, into town. So, he started to walk and thought about what to do after marrying Clara. He reached the Burlington Northern Station and decided to wait inside. The pot belly stove in the station was warming to him. He stood by it for a few minutes. He was just getting warmed up from the walk when the trolley stopped.
The trolley was not heated so the ride to the Illinois Central station was chilly that morning. The glass on the trolley was frosted up, which made it difficult to see out. He scrapped off a small circle of the frost to see through. He knew this was going to be one of the biggest days of his life. His future course of action would be dictated by the outcome of his conversation with Mr. Groober. He could not stop thinking about it. He arrived at the Illinois Central Station, a bit chilled from the trolley ride.
He departed the trolley carrying his bag toward the station when a young boy asked him, “Can I take your bag, sir?” Gilbert smiled and held out the bag for him to take. The boy was around eight years old and was dressed in a thin worn-out coat and a flattened tattered hat on his head. As the boy labored with the bag he asked, “Have you got your ticket yet, sir? If you don’t, I’ll show you where to get one. If you do have your ticket, we can get you on board straight away.”
“Yes,” Gilbert said, “I have a ticket for Dubuque.”
“Dubuque, that would be this train.” The boy said with excitement, “You will love it there. The boats, the river, the trolley up the hill, the elegant café’s, scenery, you can’t beat it.” The boy stopped talking as he heaved the bag up the steps to the train. “I’ll put your bag away for you, sir.”
“So, you’ve been to Dubuque?” Gilbert asked him.
“Oh, no, sir,” the boy said, “I just read about places I wish I could go.”
“I see,” Gilbert said. The boy put the bag away and was preparing to leave.
“Have a nice day, sir,” he said as he walked past him to leave. Gilbert was digging in his pocket for a tip, but the boy didn’t wait for it.
“Wait,” Gilbert said. The boy turned around and looked at him.
“Yes, sir,” he said shyly, apparently afraid he may be in trouble for something.
Gilbert asked, “Aren’t you going to wait for your tip?”
“I didn’t want you to feel obligated to pay me in case I didn’t do a go
od job, sir.”
Gilbert smiled, “What’s your name?”
“Jeremy Wentworth.”
“Well, Mr. Wentworth. Let me tell you something.” Gilbert looked him straight in the eyes, “You did a great job. You present yourself as a very honest and hardworking young gentleman. You should be rewarded properly. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“I have three sisters. I’m the man of the house,” he said proudly.
Gilbert retrieved a coin out of his pocket, “You take this dollar-”
“Wow, thank you, sir,” Mr. Wentworth said with excitement, then started to leave. Gilbert reached out and grabbed him by the arm.
“Wait,” he pulled him back in a friendly manner, “I want you to take that dollar and buy candy for you and your sisters.”
“Sure,” Mr Wentworth said as he began to turn away again.
“Now, wait,” Gilbert stopped him again and plucked another dollar out of his pocket. “Now this is for you, for the fine job you did.”
“Really, sir, I didn’t earn it.”
“I think you did.” Gilbert then looked at Mr. Wentworth with a touch of seriousness. “Are you questioning my judgement?”
The boy looked ashamed to have questioned Gilbert’s judgement. “No sir, thank you sir,” he said with a grateful smile, the boy began to leave again, slower this time.
“Not so fast, Mr. Wentworth,” Gilbert got a big smile on his face as the boy turned around again. He couldn’t imagine what Gilbert could have wanted him for now. Gilbert plucked a ten- dollar bill out of his wallet. “Take this and give it to your mother.”
The boy’s eyes widened as he looked at the ten- dollar bill. He then looked up to Gilbert, “Why?”
“You remind me of somebody, and this is one way I can repay my debt to someone else.” Gilbert smiled and patted the boy on the shoulder, “It’s a long story and it would be a great favor to me if you would take it.”
The boy, Jeremy Wentworth, looked at him, “All right.” He clutched the bill slowly and started to take a step down the entry of the train car when he turned around again. He tipped his head slightly and raised an eyebrow, “Will that be all then, sir?”
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