PART IV
Still at the Helm
In February, 1908, an incident occurred which brought about a change in my business affairs. On my way from Milwaukee to Chicago, in company with Edward Fancourt, of the Pennock-Meehan Company, I became suddenly ill on the train. Mr. Fancourt was frightened, and ran hastily for the conductor. It happened to be a through train for Chicago. The conductor came up hurriedly, and seeing my condition, he went quickly through the train, calling for a doctor. Fortunately there happened to be one on board. After giving me temporary relief, he handed me a prescription, with instruction to take the medicine immediately upon my arrival in Chicago, and to retire for the night.
Mr. Fancourt and I had both worked Chicago the previous week, and meant only to make connections there for St. Louis. Upon arriving in Chicago that evening, we took a taxi and were driven to the Great Northern Hotel. I engaged a room, intending to dispense for the time being with my St. Louis trip and go as soon as possible to Philadelphia. Mr. Fancourt brought me the medicine prescribed, and urgent though his business in St. Louis was, he kindly volunteered to stop over at Chicago in order to be of aid to me. I would not hear of it, though I was deeply appreciative of the kindness which prompted the offer.
Mr. Fancourt departed, and I was left alone. About one o'clock in the morning, my troubles recommenced. I rolled out of bed in an agonized condition, and began to roll over the floor, unable to catch my breath. I thought that the end was at hand, and what passed through my mind at that moment would beggar description. By superhuman effort I dragged myself into the bathroom, and up to the hot water faucet. I felt that unless I took some immediate steps to alleviate my intense suffering, I couldn't last more than a few minutes. As if by instinct, I filled a glass with boiling hot water, and took a few draughts. I was relieved at once. That night I could not close my eyes. I thought of my whole past, of my business experience which at that time covered a period of two decades, and of the hard work I had done during that time; and I decided to change my plans—to retire, so to speak, from the road entirely, to have a younger man take my place, and to reorganize my affairs so as to carry on my business on my own account, instead of representing other houses.
On the following morning, I felt completely restored, and instead of going to Philadelphia, as I had intended the previous evening, I departed for St. Louis, where I met Mr. Fancourt, who seemed agreeably surprised to see me again among the living. I finished my trip, and a few weeks later I returned to Philadelphia.
The plan which I had formulated on that memorable night in Chicago was soon to be realized. I had heard about R. J. Irwin, and later met him on the road. On one occasion at Columbus, Ohio, we happened to stop at the same hotel, and there I had the opportunity to talk over things with him. It seemed to me that we were well suited for each other, and we came to terms. He was rather dissatisfied with the concern he represented at the time, and was open for a change to improve his own condition.
In August, 1908, we organized our small business under the name of Skidelsky & Irwin Company, and launched our enterprise under auspicious circumstances. We were both well known to the trade, so there was no reason why we couldn't succeed. Mr. Irwin was to take to the road, while I was to attend to the office and financial end of it.
