The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-04-08
LEWIS CASS.
How he Amassed hIs Fortune.
and how me used it.
From the Lansing (Michigan) Republican
March l7th.)

tune of about two million dollars
He commenced life in New Hamp-
shire 30 poor that his mother rock
ed him in a ~sap-trough for want of
a cradle ; and he never threw of
the feeling of poverty thus early
Impressed upon his mind. HIS last
years were elouded with the fear
that his family would come to &C.
tual want, ard he left not n dollar
to any public or to any charitable
object.
Cass laid the foundation of his
fortune while in the public
as Territorial Governor from 1914
to 1881. He received a handsome
salary regularly IN gold coin, and
for a part of the time he got dou-
bic pay as Indian Commissioner
and Governor both. We think he
richly earned all he received for
his wise and energetic labors in the
development Of our beautiful Pen
insnla."
But most of Cass' money was
made on o farm of about tw., hun
drcd acres, which he bought with
in the limits of Detroit, lying only
four blocks west of the new City
Hall, and extending from the river
back ono mile or more. He bur-
chased this farn abou: the year
1880, for $4,000, paying $40, 900
cash down and giving his note for
s2,OOO-the only note he ever sign-
ed. Detroit was az that time a
struggling little village of wooden
buildings, containing only 1922 in
habitantS. For several years at
terward Its growth was slow, and
it received a check IN the cholera
season of 1882. General Cass did
not seem to have made a great
speculation, and when he was off
cred S25, 900 for his farm-more
shan doubling his investment in
less than three years-he thought
seriously of closing with the offer
and "scllIng out" His home was
then IN the city of Washington,
and he was Secretary of War under
"Old Hickory" But be asked the
advice of an intelligent Eastern bu-
siness man who was visiting him in
Detroit. Alter dinner, n day, the
two gentlemen walked over the
farm from the river bank to It's out
ermost bundaries /; observed its no.
BILE water front, its level stretch of
land, affording such favorable
street grades, and It's proximity 70
the center of business.
Said General Cass' friend to him:
"lf you wish to sell the farm, 1 will
give you $4,000 for it."
"Oh, then, my mind is made up !;
1 will not sell at all"
He held on 10 this cholce piece of
real estate, and became very rich
through the industry and enter
prise of others around him. He
finally sold at good prices scatter
ing lots, giving ten years time for
most Of the purchase money, with
interest at seven per cent, but
STIMULATING always that buildings
of considerable value should be err
ected on the lots within a short Pc
riod. He issued land contracts of
the above nature, but no deeds IN
I'll the purchase money was all
paid up. Of course, the improve
ment made on a part of his lots
greatly enhanced the value of the
remainder, so that what land he
had left was continually getting to
be worth more than the whole at
previous periods.
He also made o lucky hit and Sc
cured cheap immortality for his
name by giving q large lot for a
Union School house, in the midst of
his farm, on condition that the city
should erect a handsome building
and iron fence around it, within a
given time, and name the school,
house after him. The "Cass Union
School" rapidly increased the val
ne of all lots in Its neighborhood.
We never heard that Gen. Cass
was a hard creditor. He avoided
litigation, and even in his will pro-
vided FOR settling, by arbitration,
any disputes that might arise over
his property. He made his fortune
honestly, as the world goes, but
knew little of the luxury Of benev-
olenee.
N. The Ohio Legislature is still in
session.