New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-08
SIiLLNfN TIT.
10. az IL o'clocl

1Hi'EIOw WILD OH HIS LIFE AID IIs LESSON.
To the Edtt,r Of Thc TF'bnHe.
SIR: S;i',Inan Witt Of Cleveland. Ohio. who left
New-York last month with hope Of improved health
from visit 10 sore of lhc German sprinSs, died he
fore the steamer reached her destination. There Is
50 much IL the character and career " Mr. witt 70
excite the emulation Of boys, Who from chocc or
commission comm,nco li2r with a determination 10
work out their own fortune, that bli,f narrative
will be- found both interesting and useful.
Young WIT left his New-EnCland home over 40
vnor. ago Will an ordinary common school cluca-
ton. His frst employer was Mchaid =. Hart of
Troy and his first business 10 row small beat
across !he Hudson Liycr 10 and from WRIST Troy. rs
often as Nh Har and others desired 'Ovsi his man
ufactory For thi- h. was paid SIS month, Sl2 OF
which went for beard AID washing. pnring tho
wear thus occrpi.d. Nj. Witt won The couGtonco II
his empower, VINO proved an influential and valu-
able friend to him as long as ho lived. Through Sir
Hlt's Recommendation, ho appointed mca'-
uIrr of wood for The bany STEAMBOATS,. large ouan
titles Of which, instead Of coal, then required
to make steam. He now received 81 day
II WAS there and then that became acquainted
with the Young man who was destined 10 rise step
by step from hat hnmbe position TO The control and
management of some Of the largest AID IN st inn
porfant enterprises in Our country. remember
that, when IN 1888 OF 1884 lbs wis Entrusted with
the measurement Ot merchandise ana lu5 pay
doubled he regarded his fortune as made. But
when in 10 h. was appointed Superintendent Of
the Albany and berkshire Railroad hc said To the
friends who had aided i'm that the object of his
highest ambition had been attained. While thus
employed Mr. Witt became acquainted viii prom
inrut railroad mon in NcW-Englanl and in Oh o.
under whose a,spircs lac ultimately removed from
....f
son TO take the railroad tide at It's lood.
Here however. ny daily intercourse with Mr..
Witt ceased. | only know that he became promi-
nrntly connected with several important railroad
enterprises in tie progress aud completion Of which
his sagacity and efficiency wcro vindcated and re-
wartlcd IIo retired several years ago nom active
business with a large fortune and good name. The
clements OF character to which Mr.. Witt owes
his great snccess were industry carnCstncSs,
ambition, sObfiety, integrity and crOnOmy. by the
exercise Of these qualities. Mr.. Witt accumulated Il
fortune amounting 10 millions. II Is ~ much with
the hore Of inspiring ~ q stimulating - urc II en-
to initiate the example of Mr.. Wit Ia pay -
tribute to the memory Of u departed friend that !
write these lines. If thousands of boys who now
living in idle,Ss would rcsOuey devote themselves
to any honest occupation. however humble, Their own
welfare and that OF The city wnuld be promoted. All
could not of cOnryc obtain large fortunes. but all
could, if they were willing TO ply themselves
chrerfuy To- hard work, secure first living then "a
competency. and always enjoy what Burns described
as 1.-THE glorions privilege of being independent
Mr.. Witt was peculiarly earned man. All his
faculties were concentrated upon what he did at
tempted to DO HIS friendships were strong and On
during. While ut Albany he equally Jealous
and ardent as n member Of the Baptist Church and
rs a worker in the Wing cause. Between Mr.. Witt
and +. Il. Wesley Of this city (who then steam
boat employee friendship was formed which proved
advantageous TO both. The latter, like tho former
STARTING as poor boy. has raised himself by his i'll
duslry intelligence, enterprise, and integrity, to
large wealth and general usefulness. w.
Aclr- Inrk. MaY Is. $50