A RANCHMAN'S RECOLLECTIONS 



excess of Chicago wheat storage capacity. Reviews 

 of this incident speak of it as the "crisis of his life." 

 Architects told him that it would take six months to 

 build the capacity needed. He brushed them aside, be- 

 gan work in a few hours, and in forty-two days was 

 receiving wheat in the new elevator. Of the curing 

 cellars in Kansas City old "Matt" Harris had charge. 

 He was a wizard in his work, but could hardly read 

 or write. He could figure, however. Often he was 

 given some unusual problem to handle, and his in- 

 variable reply to K. B. Armour was "It is '/^«possible,' 

 Mr. Armour, but we will do it." If I were to cast 

 about for some phrase to illustrate the life of Philip 

 D. Armour I should use "Matt's" words "It is 'un- 

 possible,' but we will do it." 



I recall a personal incident which I might run into 

 pages, and leave it still uncovered. I was in the 

 Armour branch house office in Los Angeles on one 

 of my western trips, when "P. D.," as we spoke of 

 him, came in with a party of Chicago friends. Among 

 them was Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus, with whom Mr. 

 Armour had close association in his extended philan- 

 thropic work. There began a friendship which has 

 been more than a joy, rather a refuge, to me ever 

 since, and I think of him. as America's greatest di- 

 vine. I was asked to go with the Armour party to 

 visit the Cudahy killing plant. In parting "P. D." 

 said: "We are touring California and the north 

 coast. Whenever you find our car on your train come 



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