CYRUS HALL McCORMICK 



tell of their exploits with the deepest satisfaction. 

 On one occasion, when a body of agents made a 

 united demand for higher salaries, there was one 

 agent in Minnesota who refused to take part 

 in the movement. "I don't want to force Mr. 

 McCormick," he said. "I have worked for 

 him for nearly thirty years, and I know that he 

 is a just man, and that he will do what is right." 

 Not long afterwards, McCormick was told of 

 this man's action, and he immediately showed 

 his appreciation by making the agent a present 

 of a carriage and fine team of horses. 



There was one man who was wholly in Mc- 

 Cormick's power a negro named Joe, who, 

 by the custom that prevailed in the South before 

 the Civil War, was a slave and the property of 

 McCormick. They were of the same age, and 

 had played together as boys. Joe grew up to 

 be a tall, straight, intelligent negro, and his 

 master was very fond of him. He is mentioned 

 frequently in McCormick's letters, usually in a 

 considerate way. Years before the Civil War 

 McCormick gave Joe his freedom, and some 

 land and a good cabin. Now and then, even in 



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