The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-12-12
The Pursuit OF Wealth.

America mas produced some eccentric
characters, whose morbid acquisitiveness
has made them the wonder Of manki ind.
A recent instance is 10 be found in Illinois,
in the person of Jacob Strawn, of Jack
sonviile, a very extensive landholder and
cattle dealer, and probably the wealthiest
citizen of the State of Illinois. He is the
owner of some forty thousand acres of
| land in the State, and his agricultural and
other business transactions have been of
an extent corresponding with his landed
possessions. For years ne has been by
far the most extensive ttle-dealer in that
or any of the Western States, and has, by
continued and the most unremitted exer-
lions, accumulated a princely fortune.
The ST. Louis Union says
Mr. Strawn has been even more extern
sively known for his eccenricities Of
character, than for his great wealth. For
days and nights in succession he has been
known to pursue his business without IN
tefmission, never sleeping, unless whilst
riding in his saddle. He chose his wife,
as he would farm, or lot of cattle, by
mere inspection of her person; selecting
her from among her sisters, who were
caHed TO the door at his request, and mar
rted her without any more ceremony than
was necessary TO complete a moneyed
transaction, and conform TO the laws of
the State. Everything with him was a
matter of money and business, pursuing
these at the sacrifice of everything else;
indeed, attaching no value TO ANYTHING
which could not be measured by pecuni-
ary standard.
The ST. Louis Union Of the 10th inst,
states that Mr.. Strawn was brought down
the Illinois river the day before a maniac
in charge, of some of his friends, who
were trying 10 convey him 10 the bunatic
Asylum al Columbus, Ohio. HIS insani-
ty was brought on by the terrible tasks to
which every energy of his mind and body
had been subjected for years in pursuit of
wealth.
In order to induce him to travel in the
direction of Columbus without violence.
it had been necessary, says the ST. Louis
paper, TO deceive him by the promise of
great rewards for accompanying his pro-
tectors. Even in this, his all absorbing
passion was predominant. Bonds 10 a
large amount, with large penalties in case
of breach of contract, were regularly exc
cuted to secure him the compensation
agreed upon. Even before leaving the
boat, and with the appearance of correct
regard TO business, he had the agreement
read re-read it himsef-and called the
attention of the bystanders 10 see that
everything was correctly and explicitly
understood.
land this continues the print above
quoted, sis the value of wealth. Life,
health, great energy, everything devoted
TO the utmost stretch TO secure immense
possessions and to enjoy nothing. Truly,
after all, there are greater slaves than they
who come, and go, and labor at the bid
ding of another. There are those who
are poorer than they who are fed by the
STOW and unwilling hand of charity, and
there are none more to be pitied than those
who bow down in alteration of their
countless thousands, knowing neither
comfort, pleasure, recreation or inteilec-
tual enjoyment in aught besides their
treasures''