Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-25
A millionaire BufIdeE

To the Editor OF the SunI
SIR-The extract in to days San from
the London letter of the Philadelphia
Telegraph, recalls to mind another Lon
don Spectator in the same article who
is even more singular-an instance of
extraordinary success in life. There is
hardly q Cockney, old or young, who at
some time hasn't had occasion to get
out OF the way of the carts of "GeOrge
Myers d Sons" Though far more wide
~ known than Mr.. Charles Frenke in
the metropolis of the old country, and
quite as rich, old George Myers, the
milliOnaire-builder, remains precisely
the same rough, shaggy-headed, beetle
brOwed bTicklayer, who many year ago
made his debut in the London building
world as the successful contractor for
the erection OF the yet unfinished Cath
Ole cathedral in st. Georges road,
Southwark. Long ago old George was
in county wOrkhOuse. What his eX-
periences there were, he does not tell
He smiles grimly and says: "Hey lad,
got out as soon as ever l could, and
went to work with a mason" And he
must have worked well, for the next
thing lie did was to send to the work
house authorities for an account OF
lIlb 6A ptBEtS luCuIlCuY duQ lOI lIlS EJllCe
Of the subsequent "skilly,n WhereWith
he was allowed to regale himself, and
paid it and got a receipt. l believe his
first adventure in st. Georges road was
d success. "That was my fust job, but
/ didn't finish it, 'caUse they hadn't got
the money TO cut the steeple on, and 1t
isn't Oh yet. l should like to finish that
ERE some day. Since that time many
hA IofI old
mother earth. The English government
selected the workhOuse lad to build its
Notifications, and the ROthschiids their
mansions. Many an English hall and
French chateau has the old Tude-lOOking,
Gothic, but shreW mason built. For
railroads, canals and miles of London
street he can account. But his tailor's
bill was never heavy one; he always
had good coating of lime. On one oC.
casion he was involved in a dispute
with the war office. 1 think it was
about the building of Netlsy hospital.
Early one morning, a bTougham rolled
I'D to his works IN the Belvidere road,
Lambeth, and out stepped two big
guns,n delegated to proceed with old
George to survey personally the bone
of contention. The door was opened
by the millionaire, ''Work'us Kiddy,"
himself. In his hand he had "hum.
mockn OF bread, and across the bread
was a freshIy-cooked red herring. ~
was gettin' ready for you, gen'Pmen,"
he said, proceeding to put the gIidirOn
out of sight, shut you're afOre time"
"AH right, Mr.. Myers" was the re-
Spouse, "we'u wait till you've finished
your break fast" "Never mind me-"
said old rough and ready, 81 can eat this
going along'-and eat it he did as they
rolled along in the brougham, while the
war office officials snickered and won'
dered what singular dispensatiOn Of
providence 1t was that gave a man pile
after pile Of brick and mOrter, IRON
works, brick-fields, acres Of carpenters
shops, and machinery without end, yet
permitted him TO remain so simple Of
habit-tO wear suit of clothes which
10 msn would steal. Old George was
wit. lie told me he once shocked his
coachmsn by pulling the check-strirg,
stopping the cRrrisge, and declaring his
intention Of driving the c0acbman
home. "Give me the reins and jump
inside" he said. 1.-THE coschman
was q new hand in London, and
the block Of vehicles bothered