Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-04-22
A BUSINESS LIFE.
characteristics Iacidents Of tho late A. =.
stewart, tho Merchant Prince.

A BUSINESS LltEs
characteristics Iscidents Of tho late A.
stewart, tho Merchant Princc.
IT Is well known that the late A. I
Stewart was extremely superstitiouf
The slightest incidents or accidents be
come to him impressive omens. Tn
fact that no caused an apple woman VIII
for many years vended her edibles OF
the sidewalk in front OF his wholesal
store TO be removed, stand and all, to hi
uptown store, under the impression tina
her presence insured his prosperity, i
we'll authenticated. A lady, whose &C
quaintance he made just previous to tn
opening of his new store, warned hin
not to sell anything there until she hai
first purchased something in the store
and on the opening day, early in thu
morning, she called and bought nearly
5000 worth OF goods, principally Irisl
laces. Years afterward, when Mr.. Stew
art was in foreign city, he learned that
she was living the 60 in reduced circum-
stances. Her husband had squandered
her fortune. Mr.. Stewart sought hel
out and gave her IN elegant suite OF
apartments, and afterward settled upon
her handsome annuity. He supported
her during her life in comparative
luxury, because he believed her early
purchase in his store had brought him
luck.
At the time of the great famine in
ireland Mr.. Stewart sent to his suffering
countrymen o shipload of provisions.
In this he took course unique and per-
feet in itself, and illustrating one of the
peculiar characteristics Of the man.
First, he sought for u ship to charter.
A British vessel was offered and refused.
He wanted ship Of his own country,
an American ship. Such ship was
found, new, in fine order, with an
American captain and an American
crew, and was at once chartered. He
then ascertained the amount of the for
tune that he brought from Ireland, and
added the interest thereto, and there
was very considerable sum, which, in
his view, he owed to Ireland, and he re-
solved to pay the debt. The vessel was
laden entirely with both necessary
and costly provisions, and with the
American flag floating at the foremost
she entered the harbor of Belfast. 1t
was one of Americas contributions to
Ireland, and was 80 intended by the
giver. The arrival of that vessel, and
the distribution of the valuable cargo
among the suffering poor, produced a
profound impression. But the enter
prise was not yet complete. The agent
~ palfook lswnnkol -, aIror tSca fC,s
young men and women who desired to
go to America, and a free passage was
given to as many as the vessel could
carry, the only requirement being that
the applicant should be of good moral
character and ablo to read and write.
A circular was issued by Mr.. Stewart
himself, and sent to his numerous
friends, stating the fact that he expected
a large number of young persons, and
asking employment for them. When
the vessel reached the harbor of New
York places had been found for almost
every one of the new immigrants. just
after the Franco Prussian war he sent
the bark Hunter, containing 1872 bar
rels of -four, as gift to the suffering
French people. His gift of $4,000 to
Chicago and his subsequent gift of an
other $50, 900 are fresh in everybody's
In 1867 Mr.. Stewart went to
Paris Us one of the representatives from
the United States to the great worlds
exhibition. He was president of the
honorary commission appointed by the
government.
The first money earned by Mr.. Stew
art in this country is said to have been
paid to him by Isaac f. Bragg, who had
! school in Roosevelt street in 1921 or
1922, and who employed Mr.. Stewart as
MS assistant. Mr.. Bragg still has in his
possession Mr.. Stewards receipt for $50
earned as assistant teacher. Mr.. Bragg,
who is nearly ninety years old, says that
Mr.. Stewart abandoned his school be-
cause he was offended at being asked to
make collections for his employer after
school hours. Mr.. Bragg gave him
recommendation to paper house, but
before Mr.. Stewart received his clerk
'hip he received intelligence from Bel
asst of the death of relative who had
to him stock of dry goods.
The young merchant went to Ireland to
ook after this windfall, and viewing New
York as the best market. he brought his
FOODS to that city and opened his first
mall store.
1t is understood that Mr.. Stewart, by
lis will, has left to Judge Henry Hilton
he future management and disposition
If all his business affairs. Mr.. William
Iibbey, the only surviving partner of
Mr.. Stewart, acting in accord with
Judge Hilton, will continue the business
lnder the firm name of A. 7. Stewart
Co. After the funeral, the business
will go on as heretofore, the various fac
cries continuing work as usual. AL
eady the cable has taken messages to
he various branch houses-nine in all
Il Europe and India, to this effect.