Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-12-09
A Famous " Financier."

" Rasper," in Vanity Fair thus writes
of the famous DR.. Suousbcrg; remem-
Der last year of sitting opposite stout,
ordinary looking person at dinner and
wondering for long time what could
possess him TO talk as he did Of his estate
In Bohemia and his thousand horses. /
asked who on earth he could be, and
COunterfoyle informed me that it was the
famous DR.. Strousberg." This great man,
being a German and q philanthropist,
was some few years since moved to take
into consideration the case Of Roumania.
He went down TO Bucharest, talked polit-
ical economy 10 the young dragon whom
Prussia had set up as Prince there, and
offered to develop the resources of the
country by making its railways. Prince
Charles was delighted with the proposal,
and it was agreed that the railways should
be made, and that payment should be
effected by Roumdnian State bonds, of
which a number representing something
like 3, 900, 900 or 100000 sterling were
deposited in strong-box. The strong
box has three locks and three keys, one
of which was handed 10 DIR. Strousberg,
while another was placed In charge OF the
Roumanian agent at Berlin, and the third
in the hands Of a Berlin banker. The ar
rangement was that as DIR. Strousberg
constructed the railways he should meet
with the other two trustees of the box and
take out therefrom as many bonds as rep
resented the value of the line constructed
"a plan which was perfect In that II re-
quired the concurrence OF the three, rep
resenting respectively DIR. Strousberg him
self, Roumania and the public, to get the
bonds out of the box. After some time,
however, il was found that the railway
works progressed very slowly, and at last
they stopped altogether. Repeated repre-
sensations producing no effect, the Rou-
manian Government at last decided that as
there seemed no hope Of getting the rail
way advanced il would resume possession
of its bonds. But 10! when the famous
box came to be examined the bonds had
disappeared. There was naturally
tremendous row made. but al this time II
did not suit the German Government to
have its troubles increased, and As several
high personages were connected with the
proceedings il was intimated to Prince
Charles that he must have the matter
squared" and squared II accordingly
was by the payment to the Government OF
something like 100000, while the Rou-
manian taxpayer was left saddled with the
payment of all the bonds then in the pos
session of innocent holders, and represent.
ing of course an indefeasible Roumanian
engagement TO pay them In full DIR.
Strousbcrg, who had married an English
woman at the time he had been com.
mercial traveller in the United Kingdom,
soon sought fresh pastures. He hired the
most expensive house in Grosvenor Place
at rent of 81, 900 year, furnished IL In
the most wonderful way, and under the
protection of a great English family which
provided him with a private secretary, and
the chaperonage Of a great lady, essayed
English society, and went so far a. 10 offer
GOO, 900 for an English newspaper as
lever. But he soon came across diff
culties. The Lord Chamberlain respect.
fully declined TO entertain the notion of
presentation at court; an ambassador
looked coldly on, and spoke warmly of
him, the great lady made detection, and
"the Strousbergs" went on. before they
had been well alight. ! am distressed,
therefore, but above all surprised, TO learn
that this great man has now become
bankrupt, is accused Of fraud, and has
been arrested in Russia. II seems especial
ly ominous just now, for the Fathcrland
from which he hails and the religion 10
which he was born have given US other
eminent fnanciers for whom | begin 10
tremble also.
John Latham, catcher at the finish.
ing rolls In the spike mill Of the Allen
town pa Rolling-mill Company, the