Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-07-20
End ofan Eventfnl Life.

The Cincinnati Enquirer Of the 10th
says: sz
i The nexspapsrs of yesterday con.
Ained the saaaounccment that John
3. klvex1 bad lied. To nest of IN,
readers q the notice it was receiyeS
With buth I1assing thought. To many.
Inowevck Who knew the subject of the
notice in his lifetime, it brought to
their recollection-tbe history of one a
the most remarkable lives that men
have probably led on earth.
John FL. Rivers, or, az be wac
generally called by those, who knew
him, Col. Rivers, was an Englishman
by birth, having been born. in London
in 1892. At the age of sixteen his
father bought him an ensign's com.
mission in the British East Indisn
army. While in that army his. com.
mahd was transferred to the Peninsula.
where he served q short campaign
Subsequent to bis entering the army
his father moved to Jamaica, where
he owned q large coffee plantation.
There his father died. His attention
being needed on the plantation, Ensign
Rivers traded his eommissions in the
East Indian army for similar posi-.
ton in the West Indian army, intend
ing to manage the plantation and ne
tain bis military standing. Finding
this to be impracticable, he sold his
commission and devoted himself ex
clusively to the raising Of coffee. q,
this time he was immensely wealthy.
ard had all the pleasures which wealth
could bring. He had his town resi-.
dence in Kingston, where he lived
during the healthy season, and alss
his plantation back on the hills. here
he was accustomed to the life Of 4
king almost His hospitality. WAS
sought after, he frequently entertain.
ing as many as fifty or sixty persons
COR week ut q time. His estate wae
managed by steward, and he wa
tree to give himself up to the sports
of the day.
To all this sp1endor and macniH.
cence there came an end. Most of
COl. Rivers wealth, consisted Of ne.
groes. In 1882, when Great British
the slaves Of the West
Indies, the greater part Of his wealth
was swept away. By the act enamel.
pating the slaves, their owners we're
given thirty three dollars apiece tn
them by Great Britain. Most OF. COp
Rivers slaves were worth $500 apiece.
BY this means alone he lost several
hundred thousand dollars. After emap.
the slaves did not work we'll
Oois Rivers found himself 3ucirr
money. Finally, with only . re1uu,nt
Of his immense wealth, o2O0,OOO he
sold out and moved to Canada There
he lived in good style, moved In the
best circles, aud was appointed
Colonel of q regiment. His habits Of
luxury, and his inattention to care.
Iul expenditure OF money, together
With the support of q largo family.
gradually reduced his patyimony.
After some years residence in Canada
he came to the States, and aftermoviur
about. considerably, brought up in
New Orleans. having but &l0. 900 left.
rha, was soon gone. In l848 he came
% Cincinnati penniless, with 4 large
amily Of children. Here DO settled
Town and remained. Major Daniel
iano took him into the COUNTY CLERKS
'ffice, where he continued to work as
! Deputy Clerk and copyist uufjl
hree weeks ago, when no was crsu.
'elled to give up ON account Of being
by the disease which ended
nth his death nivht e,ofs,rc la e. 80