Walter Payton approached us.
A restaurant project he had been eyeing; thought we might like
to be his partners in this endeavor.
We were extremely flattered.
We were confident, but this was Walter Payton.
Walter Payton was arguably the greatest athlete to ever play college and
professional football.
Yet, the thought of working with him in a business environment was a cause for
some concern.
He knows football but... okay, we decided to take the leap.
Signed on as his partner with the intention of teaching him business and best
business practices.
However, after reviewing our first project, we recognized it was not a good
investment and told him as much.
"What, you don't want to be partners with Walter Payton?" he asked.
"Of course we do, "I replied, ''just not on this one."
Walter sent us out across the country looking to find the right fit.
Finally, we found it.
America's Flrst Railroad Roundhouse in need of renovation, Aurora, Illinois.
"I sent you to Maui and you chose Aurora, Illinois?"
A statement Walter would make many times in the coming years.
I mentioned to Walter that since the Roundhouse was finished in 1856 and the
CB & Q Roundhouse was opened in 1856 there was little chance that slave labor
was used to build it.
He recommended I do a little more research.
"I don't doubt the Railroad Companies first purchase of a slave was back in 7856,
but I doubt they weren't renting slave labor from slavers before 1856.
I had always wanted to start a company called '40 Acres and a Mule.'"
My additional research educated me.
Richard Petersburg Railroad Company was the first Railroad Company to
purchase a slave:
"one negro man purchased for $1070" was posted on their books in 7856.
My, Life Lessons, had just begun.