In his reminiscences concerning his career, Mr. John D. Rockefeller
says this in regard to a critical epoch in his fortunes:
I went to a bank president whom I knew, and who knew me. I
remember perfectly how anxious I was to get that loan and to
establish myself favorably with the banker. This gentleman
was T. P. Handy, a sweet and gentle old man, well known as
a highgrade, beautiful character. For fifty years he was
interested in young men. He knew me as a boy in the Cleveland
schools. I gave him all the particulars of our business,
telling him frankly about our affairs--what we wanted to use
the money for, etc., etc. I waited for the verdict with almost
trembling eagerness.
“How much do you want?” he said.
“Two thousand dollars.”
“All right, Mr. Rockefeller, you can have it,” he replied. “Just
give me your own warehouse receipts; they’re good enough for me.”
As I left that bank, my elation can hardly be imagined. I held
up my head--think of it, a bank had trusted me for $2,000! I
felt that I was now a man of importance in the community.
The confidence of the bank president in him and his business ventures
had strengthened his own appreciation and confidence. So each man
reacts on the other. (Text.)
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