The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-03-27
THE DAILY GAZETsl
WIScfLIANECDS.


Democrat contains IN interesting
sketch Of the late Samuel Zimmerman
one Of the victims Of the Hamilton
railway disaster. He was . man Of
remarkable enterprise and cuisines
capacity, and had accumulated .
prinsely fortune. He was born in
Huntsrdea County, Pa, in 1915, and
in 1912, with only capital Of q horse
and buggy, commencsd:his operations
in Canada. His first undertaking
was to construct an aqueduot and
four locks on the Wslland Canal, in
volving cost Of about million Of
dollars.
Subsequently he built, under con-
tract, 120 miles ofthe Great Westsln n
Railway, and he was also interested
in building the Niagara Suspension
Bridge and the railway bl idgO at the
same place. Hsbuilt the Ooburg and
Peterboro, the Port Hope and Lind
say, and the Erie and Ottawa Railways
in Canada. He also originated and
had Just completed the preliminary
arrangement for building new road
to the West, nearly parallel to the
Crest Western, to the south of that
line, and on q shorter and better route
the whole work to cost sslue ten mil.
lions Of dollars.
Not long since he had purchased q
large property at Clifton. Niagara
Falls, aad the vicinity Of the Suspen.
sion Bridge, including the line hotel
known ~ the Clifton House, and his
excellent taste and liberal ideas were
illustrated in improving this fine es-
tate and adorning it artistically.-
Fifty-two acres on tie Cliff, directly
opposite the American Falls, are in
closed with an iron fence and privet
hedge. The topography of these
grounds is diversified and pictures1e.
That part nearest the river is level,
and this is laid out in gravel walks,
with shtubbery, forest trees and foun.
tains. One fountain was constructed
at q cost Of $4,000.
Three groves and shaded promen-
ades are lighted during the summer
evenings with gas. The proprietor's
residence is on bluff some sixty feet
high, midway Of the ample grounds.
In the summer it is nearly hidden by
the foliage ofthe surrounding.tress.--
The dwelling il an unprstendiag man.
sion, but has always been the scene
Of generous hospitality, while occu.
pied by its princely owner, who has
Just been carried from il to his long
home.
He had perfected the most extend
ed and elaborate plans for the estab-
lishment near the same SPOT OF Al
elegant mansi IN bouse, with the pro.
per accessories and surroundingS.-
The foundations Of building Of
Cleveland sandstone and Canadian
brick, to cost el75,0 900, we're laid last
year, and the work was to be prosecu.
ted Immediately. His lodges, of
which there are four, the conservatory
and tenemsnts for his servants, are
models OF taste. His stables, com
plstsd last year, cost e4s, 900. From
the tsrracss on the grounds and the
portico of bis dwelling, splendid
view of the American Fall is sbtain-
ed.
The Clifton House is near hy-one
Of the most complete and popular
hotels that any watering place can
boast. This was owed by Mr.. Zim-
merman, and waa worth over $780,
900. ' .@ ''s
At Elgin, o.l the western side Of the
river, at the Suspension Bridge, the
deceased Formerly owned large pro-
party, vshich his own liberal expsndi.
ture and judieious enterprise had rsn-
der1d very valuable. This was sold
last wear to his iriends, Msssrs. Pier3
son & Benedict, for 5000, 900. At
Toronto, he ewnel property valued 3
S4OO, 900. At Hamilton an estate
worth 100000. He was owner Of
the steamer Zimmerman, on Lake On
tario, and half owner Of another boat,
the Peerless his interest il. both
amounting probably to 100000
Some 1s 900 acres of land in differ
ont parts Of Cansda belonged to him.
He estimated his property to be worth
three millions Of dollars.
q