The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-11-18


lGcDonnough, the AElser Millionaire.
We arc politely furnished by a gentleman
q ahis cily, formerly resident Of New
Oflsans, and who was well acquainted
with the late John Med Donnough, the m,ser
Millionaire, who lately died in the latter
cily, with snme interesting reminiscences
Of him. GIN, Ckroa. 4 Atlas.
He resided Cor many years Of tho latter
part Of his life, in Algiers, vilage on the
opposite side ofthe Mississippi to New Or
leans, where he cultivated and maintained
the strsctest habits Of industry and econo-
my. His custom was 10 visit the city
dnily, and to avoid the expense of the ferry
boat, the usual m"dc of crossing, he kept
q smnll skiff, in which he made his house
servants row him over. The foundation
Of his fortune was laid by the transfer Of
Louisiana TO the U. S.; when large tract
where New Orleans il now located, was
acquired By him. The increase in value
ofthis, would Of itself, constituted at this
day, largo fortune. Tho income Of his
possession, he studiously and with much
good Judgment, invested in improved pro-
pcrty in the city and so particular was
he in the collection Of rents, that hc made
out with the most perfect cxuclness, hin-
self, every bill; and though he had COL
iectof employed, he would never suffer
him to append his nauc to receipt. He
was never known TO hive friend call up
on him excep. on business, which he would
compel him to dispatch with all convenient
speed, lest his time would be occupied with
something which would not resul, in his
Pecuninry advantage.
The old gentleman, whom he employed
to collect his rents, Sc, was not even al
lowed TO have his brother call on him, lest
rs McDoanough alleged, it would cost him
IN extra meal. His apparel, when in the
city, was always heat and clean, but bore
the unmistaknble evidence Of being very
ancient. So particular was he 10 save his
clothes from the usual wear, that he has
been known frequently 10 take offhis linen
on his return from the city, and replace il
with that which was of less value. The
umbrella, which he invariably carried with
him, wns said 10 have bcen found by him
during his service in Con. Jackson's CAM
paign against the Indian tribes. When
he put on a new coat, it was noticed and
made the subject Of familiar conversation
among business men throughout the city,
as n matter Of astonishment. A few years
ngo, n nephew visited him, and was told he
need not repeat his visits, ms It was expcn-
sive, and he subsequently, died in the Char
ity Hospital, his uncle contributing nothing
towards his funeral expenses. On one oc-
casion he applied to the Legislature for
the passage Of an act appointing himself
executor TO his own estate, by which he
intended to save the usual fee Of two and
q half per cent to the Probate Court. In
nnswer to his petition, the Legislature re-.
piled, that il he would make affidavit that
he ,oas dead, they would net favorably
upon his petition.
Much is said about his liberating his
slaves, and an erroneous impression has
gone abroad in relation to il. Whon he
purchased one, ho at once opened an nc
count with him, charging his cost, expenses
Of clothing, &C.; and crediting with the
money received for his wages; and when
the slave had paid him his first cost. ex-
penses and interest Of money, with fair
consideration for risks, &C., he gave him
his freedom, provided the Colonization So
ciety would take charge of him.