The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-09-05
. Z .rH ora REMARKABLE MAN

n,
40 If the most influential citizens OF !
the State of New York, and noted
democratic politician, was briefly an,
nounced Yesterday, He was aged 90
Years and stricken down by compli-s
cat;on of diseases on his return from
the National Union Convention The
Newark On. J.,) Adeertizer, rep,
tbouoh strongly opposed to his polltl-
cal principles, thus sketches his hohor'-
BILE career: -.
Dean Richmond wassimply a citizen.
He never held Office, never would ac-
cent one. His whole history from boy
hood M is remarkable for industry,
eneray and far-sighted business talent.
Refore the DAYS of railroads ne was "a
STAGE driver. then became proprietor,
and when railroads were introduced 1t
was not long before his vast organlza-
ton capacity and power OF comoinae
tion brought him to the front rank OF
the railroad princes of the State OF New
York. Under his guidance the long
chain of distinct railroad corporations
from Albany to Buffalo were consohda-
tod into one. additional lines were pur-
chased, the road was shortened and Its
equipage made magnifcently complete;
while in his individual capacity he be-
came the controlling spirit in great line
of steam propellers upon the lakes, trib-
ntarv to the Central railroad, which,
backed by its capital, was able to con-
troll competition and make the Central
master of the Western trade. At But
falo he built great elevators and ware
houses partly in his own name and part
" in that of the road; and throughout
Western New York his name was
the synonym of capital, energy and sue
cess. =.
But it was as politician that theplain
citizen Dean Richmond acquired ma
tionalreputation. When vice president
of the Central railroad, he was made
chairman of the democratic State cen
trail committee. He at once placed his
party and his road in partnership. The
great corporation which he controlled
became in his hands the most plant and
reliable political engines. Its forty mil
lions of capital and itsmany thousands
of employees all became tributary to
the democracy of the State, and quite as
much so during his vice presidency as
since he became president of the road.
No one man ever welded such gigan-
tic political power with so little person
al iil-wiIl. He was akind-hearted and
liberal man, ever ready to conciliate a
political opponent, and it is remarkable
that attacks upon his individual integri-
ty or honor were absolutely TN
known.
In the above we have said all that
we can justly say of the dement's of Mr..
Richmond. They were of that kind
which the world admires. Of his mer-
its the catalogue is longer. He was
Just man in all his business transactions
and faithful to his word. Idolized by
the thousands whom he had helped to
wealth and position, his face always
frightened when he met his former pro-
teges, and their appeals to him for
further promotion were very carefully
considered.
His public charities were numerous
and unostentatious, and there are many
who will mourn his loss as that of a ia
ther.
We saw him last at Philadelphia,
when he spoke of his ill-health and
looked far paler than his wont. Yet
his sturdy frame unbroken and we did
not anticipate his early death. But the
deep planning brain has ceased its work
aud knows now its first season of
forgetfulness and rest. He was always
on friendly terms with the Union party,
and is said to have been more intimate
with the leaders of that organization
than was agreeable to others of his own
party. Owing to his native energy of
character, the positions which he filed,
and his control of great industrial enter
prises, Mr.. Richmond was always man
of mark in the business as well rs the
political world, His unexpected de-
cease will have grave consequences upon
the affairs of the State, and it will be
long before another man will be found
of his foresight and energy to fill his
place.
The New York Herald gives the fol-
lowing anecdotes of Mr.. Richmond:
About eight years ago Mr.. Richmond.
while conversing with friend on polit-
ical subjects, in front of the old Claren-
don Hotel at Buffalo, was approached
by poor woman with two children,
and solicitedfor aims. Interested in the
conversation, Mr.. Richmond in his
usual gruff manner, told the woman to
"get out" repeating the order with an
oath, at the same time turning his back
to her. He had hardly done so or ut
tered the words when he hastily turned
round, and with more Kindness in his
face and manner, caught the woman by
the arm as she was leaving.
Haven't you got a husband to sup
port you, Ell ?" he said in his rough
tones and gruff manner
The woman explained that her hus-
band had been lost in lake accident,
which Richmond remembered as having
taken place year OF SO previously.
"How many children have you got
besides these two ?" he asked.
Two more, sir"
"Can't they work, d-n 'em, can't
they work ~
They are infants sir,''
"Ohl'' said Richmond, with an air
of selfreproach and thrusting his hand
into his pocket, he took out roll of
bills, crumpied one of them into his
hand, and giving it to the woman.
1 4. IL.